Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods. Primary amenorrhea means a first period has never come. Secondary amenorrhea means periods began and then stopped. A 2015 opinion from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls for a workup after three months with no period, or no period by age 151.
Delay costs something. A 2008 review looked at 44 women whose periods stopped from premature ovarian insufficiency. More than half needed three or more visits before anyone drew blood. One in four waited over five years for the answer2. In a larger group, waits beyond a year went with lower bone density more often2.
In most cases, no periods means no ovulation. Sometimes a blockage in the cervix or vagina hides the period while ovulation continues. Suppressive medications can hide the silence without answering it.
Cited in this entry
- ACOG. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 651: Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26595586/
- Popat VB, Prodanov T, Calis KA, Nelson LM. The menstrual cycle: a biological marker of general health in adolescents. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18574207/
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
