menstrual disorders and abnormal vaginal bleeding
women s health issues
Absence of Menstrual Periods
Various conditions can disrupt the complex hormonal system that regulates the menstrual cycle, causing menstrual periods to stop. Doctors distinguish between primary amenorrhea (periods have never started) and secondary amenorrhea (periods started, then stopped). The first test is usually a pregnancy test. Unless a woman is pregnant, other testing is usually required to determine the cause of amenorrhea. Problems related to amenorrhea (such as a lowestrogenlevel) may also require treatment to prevent later health problems, such as fractures due to decreased bone density (osteoporosis). 