What causes amenorrhea?
What causes amenorrhea?
The different types of amenorrhea have different causes.
Common causes of primary amenorrhea include:
- Chromosomal or genetic problem with the ovaries (the female sex organs that hold the eggs).
- Hormonal issues stemming from problems with the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland.
- Structural problem with the reproductive organs, such as missing parts of the reproductive system.
Common causes of secondary amenorrhea include:
- Pregnancy (which is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea).
- Breastfeeding.
- Menopause.
- Some birth control methods, such as Depo Provera, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and certain birth control pills.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
- Previous uterine surgery with subsequent scarring (for example, if you had a dilation and curettage, often called D&C).
Other causes of secondary amenorrhea can include:
- Stress.
- Poor nutrition.
- Weight changes — extreme weight loss or obesity.
- Exercising associated with low weight.
- Ongoing illness or chronic illness.
You may also have conditions that can cause secondary amenorrhea:
- Primary ovarian insufficiency, when you experience menopause before age 40.
- Hypothalamus disorders, such as functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) — which is also called hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA). FHA is a condition where amenorrhea is associated with stress or weight loss, but isn’t clearly caused by an organic issue with a woman’s body.
- Pituitary disorders, such as a benign pituitary tumor or excessive production of prolactin.
- Other hormonal problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, adrenal disorders or hypothyroidism.
- Ovarian tumors.
- Surgery to remove uterus or ovaries.