Periods can stop if you have poor health. Usually it is the general ill health that is the presenting problem rather than the amenorrhoea. Malnutrition, whether due to involuntary starvation because of famine or psychological problems such as anorexia nervosa will result in suppression of the menstrual cycle. Underweight women frequently have amenorrhoea. Weight and height measurements are used to determine accurately if there is a weight problem. From these measurements you can calculate your body mass index (BMI). Ideally this should be between 20 and 25. Body fat plays an important part in the chemistry of the sex hormones.
Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) can suppress the menstrual cycle; there are other more typical symptoms including weight loss. Excessive glucocorticoid steroid production by the adrenal gland (Cushing's syndrome) may lead to amenorrhoea although this is rare; patient's with Cushing's syndrome tend to have a round, moon-shaped face.
Psychological stress may result in temporary amenorrhoea although this is unlikely to last for more than a couple of months unless there is weight loss. Ultrasound examination of the ovaries may show small cysts but the central part of the ovaries is not dense; this is a picture of multicystic ovaries rather than polycystic ovaries which have a dense central stroma.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is amenorrhoea?
- 2 What is oligomenorrhoea?
- 3 What are true and false amenorrhoea?
- 4 What is the difference between primary and secondary amenorrhoea?
- 5 Our daughter has not started her periods yet. When should we seek medical advice?
- 6 My periods have stopped. When should I seek medical advise?
- 7 My periods have stopped. How can the cause be determined?
- 8 Can generalised ill health result cause periods to stop?
- 9 I am a keen sportswoman. Could this stop my periods?
- 10 What is hyperprolactinaemia?
- 11 Which investigations are particularly helpful in finding the cause for the cessation of my periods?
- 12 What is karyotyping?
- 13 What is Turner Syndrome?
- 14 What is the testicular feminisation syndrome?
- 15 What is the resistant ovary syndrome?
- 16 What are autoantibodies?
- 17 What is premature ovarian failure (premature menopause)
- 18 What uterine abnormalities may cause amenorrhoea?
- 19 What is Asherman's syndrome?
- 20 What are the late effects of prolonged amenorrhoea?
- 21 How can my amenorrhoea be treated?
- 22 What are the risks and benefits of hormone replacement when used for premature menopause?
- 23 My periods are coming infrequently (oligomenorrhoea). What is likely to be the causes?
- 24 How are infrequent periods investigated?
- 25 How can oligomenorrhoea be treated?
- 26 If my periods are absent or infrequent, do I need contraception?
- 27 Where can I obtain more information?
- 28 Support Groups.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
