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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffThe main indication of amenorrhea is that you don't have menstrual periods:
- In primary amenorrhea, you have no menstrual period by age 16.
- In secondary amenorrhea, you have no periods for three to six months or longer.
Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, you might experience other signs or symptoms along with the absence of periods, such as milky nipple discharge, headache, vision changes, or excessive hair growth on your face and torso (hirsutism).
When to see a doctor
For primary or secondary amenorrhea, consult your doctor if:
- You've never had a menstrual period, and you're age 16 or older
- You've previously menstruated, but have missed three or more periods in a row
- Welt CK, et al. Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of secondary amenorrhea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Lobo RA. Primary and secondary amenorrhea and precocious puberty: Etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128045551-2/0/1524/252.html?tocnode=53759937&fromURL=252.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50041-8_1217. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Cohen DP. Amenorrhea. In: Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:648.
- Welt CK, et al. Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of primary amenorrhea. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Master-Hunter T, et al. Amenorrhea: Evaluation and treatment. American Family Physician. 2006;73:1374.
- Goldberg AB, et al. Injectable contraceptives. In: Hatcher RA, et al. Contraceptive Technology. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: Ardent Media; 2007:157.
- Kennedy KI, et al. Postpartum contraception and lactation. In: Hatcher RA, et al. Contraceptive Technology. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: Ardent Media; 2007:403.
