Secondary amenorrhea (patient information): Difference between revisions
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*Breast size changes | *Breast size changes | ||
*Considerable weight gain or weight loss | *Considerable weight gain or weight loss | ||
*Discharge from the breast (galactorrhea) | *Discharge from the breast ([[galactorrhea]]) | ||
*[[Headache (patient information)|Headache]] | *[[Headache (patient information)|Headache]] | ||
*Increased hair growth in a "male" pattern ([[hirsutism]]) and [[acne]] | *Increased hair growth in a "male" pattern ([[hirsutism]]) and [[acne]] | ||
*Vaginal dryness | *[[Vaginal dryness]] | ||
*Voice changes | *Voice changes | ||
If amenorrhea is caused by a pituitary tumor, there may be other symptoms related to the tumor, such as vision loss. | If amenorrhea is caused by a [[pituitary tumor]], there may be other symptoms related to the [[tumor]], such as [[vision loss]]. | ||
==What causes Secondary amenorrhea?== | ==What causes Secondary amenorrhea?== | ||
Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or in menopause are not considered to have secondary amenorrhea. | Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or in menopause are not considered to have secondary amenorrhea. | ||
Women who are taking birth control pills or receive hormone shots such as Depo-Provera may not have any monthly bleeding. When they stop taking these hormones, their periods may not return for more than 6 months. | Women who are taking [[birth control pills]] or receive hormone shots such as Depo-Provera may not have any monthly bleeding. When they stop taking these hormones, their periods may not return for more than 6 months. | ||
You are more likely to have amenorrhea if you: | You are more likely to have amenorrhea if you: | ||
* Are obese | * Are [[obese]] | ||
* Exercise excessively and for long periods of time | * Exercise excessively and for long periods of time | ||
* Have less than 15% - 17% body fat | * Have less than 15% - 17% body fat | ||
* Have severe anxiety or emotional distress | * Have severe [[anxiety]] or emotional distress | ||
* Lose a lot of weight suddenly (for example, with a strict diet or after gastric bypass surgery) | * Lose a lot of weight suddenly (for example, with a strict diet or after [[gastric bypass surgery]]) | ||
Other causes include: | Other causes include: | ||
* Brain (pituitary) tumors | * [[Pituitary tumors|Brain (pituitary) tumors]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Polycystic ovarian syndrome]] | ||
* [[Premature ovarian failure (patient information)|Premature ovarian failure]] | * [[Premature ovarian failure (patient information)|Premature ovarian failure]] | ||
* Thyroid dysfunction | * [[Thyroid dysfunction]] | ||
The following drugs may also cause missed periods: | The following drugs may also cause missed periods: | ||
* [[Busulfan]] | * [[Busulfan]] | ||
* Chemotherapy drugs for cancer | * [[Chemotherapy agents|Chemotherapy drugs for cancer]] | ||
* [[Chlorambucil]] | * [[Chlorambucil]] | ||
* [[Cyclophosphamide]] | * [[Cyclophosphamide]] | ||
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==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
Procedures such as a dilation and curettage (D and C) can lead to scar tissue formation that may cause a woman to stop menstruating. This is called Asherman syndrome. Scarring may also be caused by some severe pelvic infections. | Procedures such as a dilation and curettage (D and C) can lead to scar tissue formation that may cause a woman to stop menstruating. This is called [[Asherman syndrome]]. Scarring may also be caused by some severe [[Pelvic inflammatory disease (patient information)|pelvic infections]]. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
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==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
A physical exam and pelvic exam must be done to rule out pregnancy. A pregnancy test will be done. | 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: | Blood tests may be done to check [[hormone]] levels, including: | ||
* [[Estradiol]] levels | * [[Estradiol]] levels | ||
* [[Follicle stimulating hormone]] (FSH level) | * [[Follicle stimulating hormone]] (FSH level) | ||
* [[Luteinizing hormone]] (LH level) | * [[Luteinizing hormone]] (LH level) | ||
* Prolactin level | * [[Prolactin]] level | ||
* Serum hormone levels such as testosterone levels | * Serum hormone levels such as [[testosterone]] levels | ||
* [[Thyroid stimulating hormone]] (TSH) | * [[Thyroid stimulating hormone]] (TSH) | ||
Other tests that may be performed include: | Other tests that may be performed include: | ||
* CT scan of the head | * [[CT scan]] of the head | ||
* Endometrial biopsy | * [[Endometrial biopsy (patient information)|Endometrial biopsy]] | ||
* Genetic testing | * [[Genetic testing]] | ||
* MRI of the head | * [[MRI]] of the head | ||
* Ultrasound of the pelvis or hysterosonogram | * [[Ultrasound]] of the pelvis or hysterosonogram | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Treatment depends on the cause of the amenorrhea. Normal monthly periods usually return after the condition is treated. | Treatment depends on the cause of the amenorrhea. Normal monthly periods usually return after the condition is treated. | ||
For example, if the primary disorder is hypothyroidism, amenorrhea will be cured when it is treated with thyroid supplements. | For example, if the primary disorder is [[hypothyroidism]], amenorrhea will be cured when it is treated with [[Thyroid Medication (patient information)|thyroid supplements]]. | ||
If the primary cause is obesity, vigorous exercise, or weight loss, treatment may include a change in exercise routine or weight control. | If the primary cause is [[obesity]], vigorous exercise, or weight loss, treatment may include a change in exercise routine or weight control. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Secondary amenorrhea?== | ==Where to find medical care for Secondary amenorrhea?== | ||
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==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
Complications depend on the cause of the condition. Amenorrhea may be harmless, or it may be associated with overgrowth of the uterine lining (endometrial hyperplasia). This can sometimes lead to uterine cancer. | Complications depend on the cause of the condition. Amenorrhea may be harmless, or it may be associated with overgrowth of the uterine lining ([[endometrial hyperplasia]]). This can sometimes lead to [[uterine cancer]]. | ||
There may be other complications, depending on the cause of the amenorrhea. | There may be other complications, depending on the cause of the amenorrhea. | ||
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==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001219.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001219.htm | ||
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[[Category:Gynecology patient information]] | [[Category:Gynecology patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
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[[Category:Medicine]] | [[Category:Medicine]] | ||
[[Category:Endocrinology]] | [[Category:Endocrinology]] | ||
[[Category:Up-To-Date | [[Category:Up-To-Date]] | ||
[[Category:Gynecology]] | [[Category:Gynecology]] | ||
[[Category:Obstetrics]] | [[Category:Obstetrics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:07, 30 July 2020
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Secondary amenorrhea |
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Secondary amenorrhea On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Secondary amenorrhea occurs when a woman who has been having normal menstrual cycles stops getting her periods for 6 or more months.
Amenorrhea is when a woman does not get her monthly menstrual cycle, or period.
What are the symptoms of Secondary amenorrhea?
- 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.
What causes Secondary amenorrhea?
Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or in menopause are not considered to have secondary amenorrhea.
Women who are taking birth control pills or receive hormone shots such as Depo-Provera may not have any monthly bleeding. When they stop taking these hormones, their periods may not return for more than 6 months.
You are more likely to have amenorrhea if you:
- Are obese
- Exercise excessively and for long periods of time
- Have less than 15% - 17% body fat
- Have severe anxiety or emotional distress
- Lose a lot of weight suddenly (for example, with a strict diet or after gastric bypass surgery)
Other causes include:
The following drugs may also cause missed periods:
Who is at highest risk?
Procedures such as a dilation and curettage (D and C) can lead to scar tissue formation that may cause a woman to stop menstruating. This is called Asherman syndrome. Scarring may also be caused by some severe pelvic infections.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your primary health care provider or OB/GYN provider if you have missed more than one period so that you can get diagnosed and treated, if necessary.
Diagnosis
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
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the cause of the amenorrhea. Normal monthly periods usually return after the condition is treated.
For example, if the primary disorder is hypothyroidism, amenorrhea will be cured when it is treated with thyroid supplements.
If the primary cause is obesity, vigorous exercise, or weight loss, treatment may include a change in exercise routine or weight control.
Where to find medical care for Secondary amenorrhea?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Secondary amenorrhea
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The outlook depends on the cause of amenorrhea. Most of the conditions that cause secondary amenorrhea will respond to treatment.
Possible complications
Complications depend on the cause of the condition. Amenorrhea may be harmless, or it may be associated with overgrowth of the uterine lining (endometrial hyperplasia). This can sometimes lead to uterine cancer.
There may be other complications, depending on the cause of the amenorrhea.
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001219.htm Template:WH Template:WS