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Secondary amenorrhea - Symptom

Alternative Names

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

Symptoms:

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.

Signs and tests:

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

Secondary amenorrhea

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

Reviewed last on: 6/16/2010
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.

References

Lobo RA. Abnormal uterine bleeding: Ovulatory and anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding, management of acute and chronic excessive bleeding. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 37.

Master-Hunter T, Heiman DL. Amenorrhea: evaluation and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(8):1374-1382.

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