Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is the medical term used for the absence of menstruation. If a woman has stopped having periods, it usually indicates a defect in the system and warrants investigation.

Symptoms

A missed period, abnormal hair growth, breast-milk production in the absence of pregnancy, and trouble with vision may be symptoms associated with amenorrhea. Amenorrhea in turn is symptomatic of another infertility condition called anovulation.

Cause

Several factors can cause amenorrhea including:

Hyperprolactinemia (excessive production of the hormone prolactin)
Mullerian anomalies (congenital developmental abnormalities of the uterus)
Decreased secretion of hormones by the hypothalamus or pituitary glands
Blockage of the cervix

Treatment

If healthcare providers confirm that a woman’s amenorrhea stems from hyperprolactinemia, they may prescribe bromocriptine first. Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, other treatments may include ovulation induction with clomiphene and/or surgery.