Amenorrhea - secondary; No periods - secondary; Absent periods - secondary; Absent menses - secondary; Absence of periods - secondary

• No menstrual period for 6 months or longer
• Previously had one or more menstrual periods that started on their own

Other symptoms that can occur with secondary amenorrhea include:

• Breast size changes
• Considerable weight gain or weight loss
• Discharge from the breast (galactorrhea)
• Headache
• Increased hair growth in a "male" pattern (hirsutism) and acne
• Vaginal dryness
• Voice changes

If amenorrhea is caused by a pituitary tumor, there may be other symptoms related to the tumor, such as vision loss.

A physical exam and pelvic exam must be done to rule out pregnancy. A pregnancy test will be done.

Blood tests may be done to check hormone levels, including:

• Estradiol levels
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH level)
• Luteinizing hormone (LH level)
• Prolactin level
• Serum hormone levels such as testosterone levels
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Other tests that may be performed include:

• CT scan of the head
• Endometrial biopsy
• Genetic testing
• MRI of the head
• Ultrasound of the pelvis or hysterosonogram

Images

Secondary amenorrhea

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

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Secondary amenorrhea Overview

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Secondary amenorrhea Treatment

Review Date: 06/16/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)