Amenorrhoea: Difference between revisions
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==Secondary amenorrhoea== | ==Secondary amenorrhoea== | ||
Absense of a [[menstrual period]] in a women of reproductive age. | ===Definition=== | ||
=== | Absense of a [[menstrual period]] in a women of reproductive age, for at least 6 months. | ||
===Common Causes=== | |||
They are mostly odd, genetic and rare, except for the first one | |||
* | *[[Anorexia nervosa]] - this is the most common by quite a long way. | ||
*Congenital genital tract malformations - Turners, Mullerian agenesis, etc. | |||
*Androgen insufficiency | |||
===Management=== | ===Management=== | ||
Revision as of 17:01, 31 October 2008
Amenorrhoea is absense of a menstrual period in a women of reproductive age. However, it presents in two key ways: at the onset of periods, and during reproductive years:
Primary amenorrhoea
Definition
Menarche is delayed; the onset of periods hasn't happened by the age of 16, even though secondary sexual characteristics, thelarche (growth of breasts) and adrenarche (growth of pubic hair), have occured.
Common Causes
They are mostly odd, genetic and rare, except for the first one
- Anorexia nervosa - this is the most common by quite a long way.
- Congenital genital tract malformations - Turners, Mullerian agenesis, etc.
- Androgen insufficiency
Management
Basically, if they have anorexia, sort that out. Otherwise, if the problem is an obscure genetic problem, there may not be much that can be done to restore normal fertility. Ultimately though, management of the problem will be the way to deal with the amenorrhoea.
Secondary amenorrhoea
Definition
Absense of a menstrual period in a women of reproductive age, for at least 6 months.
Common Causes
They are mostly odd, genetic and rare, except for the first one
- Anorexia nervosa - this is the most common by quite a long way.
- Congenital genital tract malformations - Turners, Mullerian agenesis, etc.
- Androgen insufficiency