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Secondary amenorrhea - Treatment

Alternative Names

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

Treatment:

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.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outlook depends on the cause of amenorrhea. Most of the conditions that cause secondary amenorrhea will respond to treatment.

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.

Calling your health care provider:

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.

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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