Secondary Amenorrhea
Secondary amenorrhoea means periods have stopped in someone whose cycles had already begun. The most common reason is pregnancy, and there are many others.
Medicine used to treat Secondary Amenorrhea
Key points
- About one in four women who are not pregnant, breastfeeding or going through menopause experience amenorrhoea at some point.
- Symptoms beyond the missed periods depend on the cause and can include hot flushes, vaginal dryness, headaches or excess hair growth.
- Most cases are treatable, and periods usually return to a regular pattern.
Causes
Beyond pregnancy, periods can stop during breastfeeding or around menopause. Stress, heavy exercise, weight change, some medicines and hormone conditions such as a high prolactin level or polycystic ovary syndrome can also interrupt the cycle.
Treatment
Treatment is directed at the cause. Options include lifestyle changes, stress management, hormonal medication and, rarely, surgery. A pregnancy test is a usual first step. Dydrogesterone, a progestogen, can bring on a period in some cases once the cause has been established (Duphaston); more on dydrogesterone. Orders ship to Malaysia from pharmacy partners in India in discreet packaging.
When to get help
Contact a healthcare provider after three months without a period. A missed period with trouble with balance, coordination or vision needs review, as these symptoms may point to a more serious condition. Amenorrhoea is not life-threatening, but some causes lead to long-term complications, so it should always be assessed.
What the sources say
- Secondary amenorrhoea is three months without periods after regular cycles, or six months if cycles were irregular beforehand (Cleveland Clinic).
- The lack of periods is the main symptom (Cleveland Clinic).
Further reading
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