Absent and Infrequent Periods: What is oligomenorrhoea?

It has been shown that prolonged amenorrhoea is associated with reduction in bone mineral density.⁰⁶⁰¹ This reduction is directly related to the duration of amenorrhoea. Oestrogen replacement can restore a significant amount of bone mass. An early menopause increases the risk of coronary heart disease which may be countered by hormone replacement (Chapter 27).

Smoking, poor quality diet, lack of exercise and abnormal weight (excess or reduced) are additional risk factors for ill health in later life and appropriate measures to counter these are to be particularly recommended for those who have prolonged amenorrhoea.

Q 6. 1 What is amenorrhoea?
Q 6. 2  What is oligomenorrhoea?
Q 6. 3  What are true and false amenorrhoea?
Q 6. 4  What is the difference between primary and secondary amenorrhoea?
Q 6. 5  Our daughter has not started her periods yet. When should we seek medical advice?
Q 6. 6  My periods have stopped. When should I seek medical advise?
Q 6. 7  My periods have stopped. How can the cause be determined?
Q 6. 8  Can generalised ill health result cause periods to stop?
Q 6. 9  I am a keen sportswoman. Could this stop my periods?
Q 6. 10 What is hyperprolactinaemia?
Q 6. 11 Which investigations are particularly helpful in finding the cause for the cessation of my periods?
Q 6. 12 What is karyotyping?
Q 6. 13 What is Turner Syndrome?
Q 6. 14 What is the testicular feminisation syndrome?
Q 6. 15 What is the resistant ovary syndrome?
Q 6. 16 What are autoantibodies?
Q 6. 17 What is premature ovarian failure (premature menopause)
Q 6. 18 What uterine abnormalities may cause amenorrhoea?
Q 6. 19 What is Asherman's syndrome?
Q 6. 20  What are the late effects of prolonged amenorrhoea?
Q 6. 21  How can my amenorrhoea be treated?
Q 6. 22  What are the risks and benefits of hormone replacement when used for premature menopause?
Q 6. 23 My periods are coming infrequently (oligomenorrhoea). What is likely to be the causes?
Q 6. 24  How are infrequent periods investigated?
Q 6. 25  How can oligomenorrhoea be treated?
Q 6. 26  If my periods are absent or infrequent, do I need contraception?
Q 6. 27  Where can I obtain more information?
Q 6. 28  Support Groups.

Anorexia Nervosa

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The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.
Thank you for your visiting us at 2womenshealth.com.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London.
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