Secondary Amenorrhea in Teens: Care Instructions

Overview

Amenorrhea means you do not have menstrual periods. There are two types. Primary amenorrhea means you never start your periods. Secondary amenorrhea means you have had periods, and then they stop, especially for more than 3 months.

Even if you don't have periods, you could still get pregnant.

You may not know what caused your periods to stop. Possible causes include pregnancy, hormonal changes, or losing or gaining a lot of weight quickly. Some medicines and stress could also cause it.

Being active in endurance sports can also cause you to miss your period or stop menstruating. Losing weight or maintaining a low weight in harmful ways could also stop your period. These include dieting too much or binging and purging. But doing these things can lead to eating disorders, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. If you exercise less or gain a little weight, your periods will probably start again.

Your doctor may order tests to find out why your periods have stopped. Treatment depends on the cause. Your doctor may prescribe hormone therapy to help regulate your cycle. This can also help protect against bone loss.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and low-fat dairy products.

• Try not to overdo it when it comes to exercise, unless your doctor told you not to exercise at all.

• Use birth control if you do not want to get pregnant.

• Tell your doctor about any changes in your menstrual periods.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

Current as of: November 27, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.