Why does amenorrhea happen

Secondary amenorrhea is when normal menstrual bleeding stops occurring for 3 months or more. Amenorrhea has many causes, including hormone problems, eating habits and exercise, or a birth defect. Treatment may be done with hormones or other medicines, changes in diet or exercise, and calcium supplements. A girl with amenorrhea may have thinning bones osteoporosis over time and loss of fertility. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests.

Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.

Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure. If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice. Search Encyclopedia. Amenorrhea in Teens What is amenorrhea in teens? There are 2 types: Primary amenorrhea. What causes amenorrhea in a teen? Amenorrhea can have many causes, including: Ovulation problems. Menstrual periods stop during pregnancy. Which teens are at risk for amenorrhea? A teen is more at risk for amenorrhea for any of the below reasons: Being an athlete Being overweight Having an eating disorder Having a thyroid disorder Having ovulation problems What are the symptoms of amenorrhea in a teen?

How is amenorrhea diagnosed in a teen? Your teen may also have tests, such as: Blood tests. How is amenorrhea treated in a teen? What are possible complications of amenorrhea in a teen? It can occur as a natural part of life, such as during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

It can also be a sign of a health problem, such as polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS. Because amenorrhea is associated with health conditions that are also linked to infertility, understanding amenorrhea is an important part of NICHD's research on infertility and fertility.

In rare cases, physical problems—such as missing reproductive organs or blockage of reproductive passageways—can also lead to primary amenorrhea. Missing portions of the reproductive tract can cause endocrine disruptions and may combine with hypothalamic or pituitary problems to prevent menstruation. Blockages may also prevent menstrual bleeding, making it seem like a girl has primary amenorrhea, even if her menstrual cycles are actually normal.

Secondary amenorrhea missing three menstrual periods in a row or not having periods for at least 6 months after menstruating normally can result from various causes, such as:. What causes primary amenorrhea? Primary amenorrhea failure of menses to occur by age 16 can result from two main causes: Chromosomal or genetic abnormalities can cause the ovaries to stop functioning normally. Turner syndrome , a condition caused by a partially or completely missing X chromosome, and androgen insensitivity syndrome, often characterized by high levels of testosterone, are two examples of genetic abnormalities that can delay or disrupt menstruation.

Conditions such as eating disorders, excessive exercise, and extreme physical or psychological stress or a combination of these factors can also disrupt the normal functioning of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, delaying the onset of menstruation. What causes secondary amenorrhea? Secondary amenorrhea missing three menstrual periods in a row or not having periods for at least 6 months after menstruating normally can result from various causes, such as: Natural causes.

Pregnancy is the most common natural cause of secondary amenorrhea. Other physiologic causes include breastfeeding and menopause. Medications and therapies. Lifestyle factors, an underlying health condition, and some medications can also cause amenorrhea.

Some birth control pills may cause missed periods or the complete absence of menstruation. This can occur in the first few months of taking a new pill or if a person does not take any placebo pills or have a pill-free week each month. Some of the other birth control methods, such as the hormonal intrauterine device IUD , implant, and injection can also result in amenorrhea.

Malnutrition may affect how the hypothalamus and pituitary gland function, which can lead to amenorrhea. Having a low body weight can also prevent the hypothalamus and pituitary gland from functioning correctly.

This can lead to a type of amenorrhea known as functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. Stress can affect hormone levels in the body, and it is another cause of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. People with this type of amenorrhea also have higher rates of depression and anxiety. Excessive exercise is the third cause of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. Some research estimates that half of the women who exercise regularly experience minor menstrual disorders.

This absence of menstruation is usually due to a nutritional deficiency or very low body weight. Some antidepressants and mood stabilizers may affect how the hypothalamus and pituitary gland work. Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects 6—8 percent of women worldwide. PCOS may also lead to hyperandrogenemia, which is when a female has high levels of male hormones. A study of women with PCOS found that over 78 percent of them had hyperandrogenemia.

Premature ovarian failure is when the ovaries stop working correctly before the age of This condition may lead to missed periods. However, it is not the same as early menopause, which is when menstruation stops completely. Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder. People with this condition may have underdeveloped ovaries and an absence of menstruation.

Genital tract defects are structural problems that can cause an absence of menstruation or make it difficult for the menstrual blood to exit the vagina. The most common female genital tract defect is an imperforate hymen, which is a hymen with no opening that closes off the vagina and does not allow blood to leave it during a period.

The pituitary gland releases the hormones that control the menstrual cycle. Issues with the pituitary gland, including those below, may lead to amenorrhea:.