Secondary amenorrhea
Definition
Secondary amenorrhea is lack of periods for 6 or more months in a woman who has already started menstruation and who is not pregnant, lactating, or in menopause.
See also:
Alternative Names
Amenorrhea - secondaryCauses
About 4% of women have secondary amenorrhea. There are many reasons for missing a period.
You are at an increased risk of secondary amenorrhea if you engage in extreme and prolonged exercise (particularly without adequate conditioning), have less than 15 - 17% body fat, are obese, or take hormonal supplements.
Anxiety and emotional distress can also cause a missed period.
The following drugs may also cause missed periods:
- Busulfan
- Chlorambucil
- Cyclophosphamide
- Phenothiazines
- Oral contraceptives
- Non-oral contraceptives such as Depo-Provera
Also, procedures such as a dilation and curettage (D and C) can cause a woman to develop amenorrhea if scar tissue develops within the uterine cavity.
References
Stenchever MA, Droegemueller W, Herbst AR. Comprehensive Gynecology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:1109-1119.
Rakel P, ed. Conn’s Current Therapy 2005. 57th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005:1291-1293.
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