Overview
Secondary amenorrhea is the cessation of menstrual flow for a period of 6 months or more in the absence of pregnancy, breastfeeding or menopause. Extreme weight gain or loss, certain medications, as well as anxiety can be the root cause of amenorrhea. Treatment can range from behavior modification for excessive exercise to medication to surgery in the presence of disease.
Review Date 4/16/2024
Updated by: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.