Absence of Menstrual Periods: Absent or Irregular Menstrual Periods

Absence of menstrual periods is clinically referred to as ‘amenorrhea’. This condition may be caused due to a several reasons, which either results in interruption of the normal menstrual cycle of a female or delay in appearance of menstrual cycles in teenage girls.

There are Several Causes that are Associated with Amenorrhea

1. Pregnancy: One of the most common cause of amenorrhea is pregnancy.
   Females who have otherwise normal menstrual cycle observe a disruption in the normal menstrual cycle when they conceive. This is a physiological process and the female may regain normal menstrual cycle either on completion of the full term pregnancy or immediately after abortion.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies and Anemia: Other important cause of absence of menstrual periods is anemia or low levels of hemoglobin in the blood. Iron supplements or diet rich in iron can restore the normal menstrual cycle in females
3. Lactational Amenorrhea: Amenorrhea is common in breast feeding mothers.
   This is due to the hormonal changes in the body. Normal menstruation is restored after the mother stops breast feeding
4. Menopause: Menopause is another cause of amenorrhea. Menopause is also a physiological process which affects females between the age of 45-55 years and marks the end of the reproductive life of a female. Menopause results in stoppage of menstruation as the ovaries stop producing eggs.

In addition there are a wide range of medical causes associated with amenorrhea which include polycystic ovarian disease, hypothyroidism, autoimmune disorders, turner syndrome, intrauterine adhesions, etc.