Secondary amenorrhea

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Secondary amenorrhea Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

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Secondary amenorrhea

Secondary amenorrhea is a condition in which menstruation begins at the appropriate age, but laterstops for 6 or more months for reasons not due topregnancy, lactation, or menopause.

See also:

Menstruation - Absent

Primary amenorrhea

About 4% of women have secondary amenorrhea. There are many reasons formissing aperiod.

You are at an increased risk of secondary amenorrhea if you engage inextreme and prolonged exercise (particularly without adequate conditioning), haveless than 15 - 17%, areobese, ortake 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.

Stenchever MA, Droegemueller W, Herbst AR.Comprehensive Gynecology. 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001:1109-1119.

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