Amenorrhea
Medical Author:
Lawrence M Nelson, MD, MBA
Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Amenorrhea OverviewAmenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding and may be primary or secondary.
For a woman to have regular menstrual cycles, her hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, and uterus should all be functioning normally. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH and LH cause the ovaries to produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone are responsible for the cyclical changes in the endometrium (uterine lining), including menstruation. In addition, a woman’s genital tract should be free of any abnormalities to allow the passage of menstrual blood. Amenorrhea CausesAmenorrhea can result because of an abnormality in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, anatomical abnormalities of the genital tract, or functional causes. Hypothalamic causes
Pituitary causes
Ovarian causes
Functional causes
Viewer Comments & ReviewsAmenorrhea - CausesThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What was the cause of your amenorrhea? |
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Amenorrhea
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Amenorrhea, Primary is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
Synonyms
- Absence of Menstruation, Primary
- PA
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
Amenorrhea is the absense of menstrual periods. The term "primary amenorrhea" is used if periods have never started in females aged 16 or older. It is a rare gynecological disorder. Regular menstruation usually begins (menarche) within two years of the onset of puberty. Absence of menses by age 16-18 constitutes Primary Amenorrhea.
Resources
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Amenorrhea, Primary »
Primary amenorrhea is the failure of menses to occur by age 16 years, in the presence of normal growth and secondary sexual characteristics.
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