Amenorrhea is lack of menstrual flow. In primary amenorrhea, the menstruation does not begin even after the age of 16 years. Secondary amenorrhea is the stoppage of menstrual flow which was normally established for 6 or more months due to the condition other than pregnancy, breast feeding, menopause

 

Causes of primary amenorrhea

• Adrogenital syndrome

• Chromosomal abnormalities such as turner syndrome

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

• Craniopharyngioma

• Chronic illnesses

• Cystic fibrosis

• Extreme weight loss

• Genital abnormalities which are present since birth like absence of the uterus or vagina, cervical stenosis, imperforate hymen.

• Hypoglycemia

• Hypothyroidism

• Hyperthyroidism

• Hyperprolactemia

• Malnutrition

• Obesity

• Pregnancy

• Polycystic ovarian disease

• Testicular feminization

• True hermaphroditism

• Tumors of the pituitary or adrenal glands

• Tumors of ovary

Symptoms

A female with amenorrhea with no menstrual flow.

Tests and diagnosis

• Blood tests for hormones like LH, FSH, Prolactin, TSH,

• Thyroid function tests

• Progesterone with drawl test

• Chromosome analysis

• CT scan of head

• MRI scan head

• Laparoscopy

Treatment:

Treatment involves treating the cause. It may require medications like hormones, surgery or both. If the amenorrhea is caused by tumor in the brain it is treated with the drug Bromocriptine.