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Amenorrhea: Types, Causes & Treatment

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Amenorrhea: Types, Causes & Treatment Card 

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Ever heard of someone who doesn’t experience ‘that time of the month’? It may surprise you but it’s quite possible. This condition is called ‘amenorrhea’. It’s a medical term that defines the absence of menstruation in a woman. It’s quite important for a parent of a daughter or woman herself to be aware of such a condition. Thus, to help you understand it, we’ve listed out the meaning of amenorrhea, its types, causes and treatment.

- [What Is Amenorrhea?](#what-is-amenorrhea)
- [Types Of Amenorrhea](#types-of-amenorrhea)
- [Signs And Symptoms Of Amenorrhea](#signs-and-symptoms-of-amenorrhea)
- [Risks & Complications](#risks-&-complications)
- [Diagnosis](#diagnosis)
- [Treatment](#treatment)


what-is-amenorrhea

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The meaning of amenorrhea is the absence of periods in women during the reproductive years. These include teenage girls who have hit puberty but haven’t gotten their periods. It also covers women who don’t get periods for months due to PCOD or [PCOS](/tips-and-advice-for-women/pcos/pcos-what-it-means-and-how-to-cope), even though they aren’t pregnant or haven’t crossed their menopause. This condition can lead to temporary or permanent absence of menstrual periods. However, the point to note is that amenorrhea isn’t a disease. Rather it could be a symptom of some underlying condition that would require medical assistance. 


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<h2 class="text-cobaltBlue">What Is Amenorrhea?</h2>

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Amenorrhea consists of two types:  

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<h3 class="bluetext">1. Primary Amenorrhea</h3>
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The meaning of primary amenorrhea refers to when a girl doesn’t get her periods during puberty. Typically, girls start menstruating by the age of 16 or sometimes even as early as 14. But when she doesn’t, it’s an indication to consult a doctor and get it checked.
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<h4 class="text-cobaltBlue">Causes Of Primary Amenorrhea</h4>    

1. ##### A family history of delayed periods.
<br>

2. <h5>Genetic problems that can make ovaries dysfunctional</h5>
<br>
- include Turner syndrome, androgen insensitivity syndrome and Müllerian defects.

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3. ##### Hormonal imbalance caused by the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland.
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4. ##### Structural problems with the reproductive organs like uterine scarring, structural abnormality of the vagina or missing parts of the reproductive system.
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<h3 class="bluetext">2. Secondary Amenorrhea</h3>
<br>

Secondary amenorrhea means when one who used to get periods regularly, suddenly stops getting periods for two to three months or more, consecutively. Likewise, this type also covers women who had irregular periods and now aren’t getting periods for six months. 
<br>

<h4 class="text-cobaltBlue">Causes Of Secondary Amenorrhea</h4>    

1. <h5>Pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause:</h5>
<br>
During these phases of life, your hormones fluctuate massively. It naturally tends to make your cycle irregular.

<br>

2. <h5>Contraceptives:</h5>
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Birth control pills or injected, implanted contraceptives can also cause this condition. 

<br>

3. <h5>Medications:</h5>
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It’s noted that certain anti-depressants, antipsychotics, blood pressure drugs, chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer can stop periods.

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4. <h5>Lifestyle factors:</h5> 
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Extreme low body weight, stress or poor diet, all of them can hinder your hormonal functions and thereby stop you from experiencing periods. 


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<h2 class="text-cobaltBlue">Types Of Amenorrhea</h2>


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Signs And Symptoms Of Amenorrhea

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The primary sign of amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. Apart from that here are some other common symptoms associated with this condition:

<h3 class="bluetext">1. Hot flashes</h3>
<h3 class="bluetext">2. Milky discharge from nipples</h3>
<h3 class="bluetext">3. Vaginal dryness</h3>
<h3 class="bluetext">4. Headache</h3>
<h3 class="bluetext">5. Acne</h3>
<h3 class="bluetext">6. Excess hair growth on your face and body</h3>
<h3 class="bluetext">7. Vision change</h3>


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<h2 class="text-cobaltBlue">Signs And Symptoms Of Amenorrhea</h2>

Risks & Complications

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You can be at a higher risk of developing amenorrhea in case:
<br>

- If someone in your family previous had this condition 
- If you have an eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia
- If you had certain gynaecologic procedures 
- If you exercise and train rigorously 

Additionally, amenorrhea can also cause complications like

<h3 class="bluetext">1. Infertility:</h3>
<br>

When you can’t ovulate, the possibility of you conceiving falls down to zero.
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<h3 class="bluetext">2. Pelvic pain:</h3>
<br>

When the reason behind amenorrhea is an anatomical problem, it can lead to pain in the pelvic region.
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<h3 class="bluetext">3. Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease</h3>
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Weakening of the bones, heart attack or problems with the blood vessels and heart muscle can be caused due to lower levels of oestrogen in the body which occurs in amenorrhea. 
<br>

<h3 class="bluetext">4. Psychological stress:</h3>
<br>

When stepping into adulthood, watching your friends getting their periods and you not getting them can easily stress you out.


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<h2 class="text-cobaltBlue">Risks & Complications</h2>

Diagnosis

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Diagnosing amenorrhea, be it primary or secondary becomes a little difficult. The first step that your doctor would take is to note your symptoms and family medical history. He would also ask you about your last periods and how long they lasted. Thus, tracking your cycle is important. You can do it by using our [period calculator](/period-calculator) which tracks your cycle in minutes. 

In case, you are sexually active, he might ask you to take a pregnancy test. In other cases, he might ask you to give a pelvic exam. Following this a blood test, imaging test, hormonal test, hysteroscopy and genetic screening could also be done. 


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<h2 class="text-cobaltBlue">Diagnosis</h2>

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Treatment

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Depending on the cause, your doctor will give you the required treatment.     

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<h3 class="bluetext">Primary Amenorrhea Treatment</h3>
<br>

Primary amenorrhea treatment would begin with waiting and seeing if the periods arrive in a while. This is only done if the patient has a family history of delayed periods. In case there are problems with the reproductive organs, surgery might be considered as the treatment. However, it won’t necessarily mean that one might start getting periods. 

<h3 class="bluetext">Secondary Amenorrhea Treatment</h3>
<br>

Secondary amenorrhea treatment varies based on the cause. 
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<h4 class="text-cobaltBlue">1. Losing or gaining weight</h4>
<h4 class="text-cobaltBlue">2. Opting for stress management techniques</h4>
<h4 class="text-cobaltBlue">3. Changing exercise levels</h4>
<h4 class="text-cobaltBlue">4. Hormone replacement therapy</h4>


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<h2 class="text-cobaltBlue">Treatment</h2>

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Takeaway

__Takeaway__
<br>

Remember that amenorrhea isn’t a disease, and it doesn’t have to make you infertile. You just need to be aware of your [menstrual cycle](/tips-and-advice-for-girls-and-parents/period-guide/your-menstrual-cycle-phases-a-basic-guide). In case of missed periods, make sure to alert your doctor at the earliest. Once he understands the cause, he would be able to help you with a treatment that may help to regulate your cycle. In such a case, you would need to stock up on quality [sanitary pads](/sanitary-pads) and [tampons](/tampons). Try out the [ALWAYS Maxi Thick Pads](/sanitary-pads/always-maxi-thick-pads-with-wings) which have an extra absorbent core and unique anti-leakage barriers which provide maximum protection. It also has high flexi wings which keep your pad in place. 

Tampon lovers can try out the [ALWAYS Tampax Cardboard Tampons](/tampons/always-tampax-cardboard) which has an innovative absorbent core that allows a worry-free movement. Likewise, it has a protective skirt that minimises leakage and the anti-slip grip ensures easy insertion. 


__FAQs__
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<h2 class="cardimgtexth2" style="color:#002abb"> 1. How long can amenorrhea last?</h2>
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Amenorrhea can last for six or more months. As it’s usually a sign of an underlying condition, it can be treated with medical assistance. 
<br>

<h2 class="cardimgtexth2" style="color:#002abb"> 2. Can a woman with amenorrhea get pregnant?</h2>
<br>

Women with amenorrhea, which can be caused due to lack of ovulation, might find it difficult to get pregnant. In such case, you need to consult a doctor and get the right treatment.
<br>

<h2 class="cardimgtexth2" style="color:#002abb"> 3. Does amenorrhea mean infertility?</h2>
<br>

No, amenorrhea in itself doesn’t mean infertility. It could be a sign of a chronic condition that contributes to infertility. 


Disclaimer

__Disclaimer:__

Please note the date of the last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Always is committed to ensuring that all of our products meet rigorous safety standards; [Always pads prioritize safety](/about-us/inside-always-pads-safe), protection and comfort of its consumers. 

Amenorrhea: Facing absence of periods? Is it primary or secondary amenorrhea? Learn the meaning of amenorrhea with its causes and treatment on Always <Country_Name>.

What Is Amenorrhea? Types, Causes, & Treatment | Always <Country_Name>

Amenorrhea: Facing absence of periods? Is it primary or secondary amenorrhea? Learn the meaning of amenorrhea with its causes and treatment on Always <Country_Name>. 