Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Amenorrhea
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A woman who has amenorrhea has either never had a menstrual period or has stopped having periods.
What is going on in the body?
There are two categories of amenorrhea:
To have a period, a woman must have a normal, healthy:
An abnormality in any of these may keep a woman from having a period.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Primary amenorrhea is usually due to late puberty rather than any permanent problem. The reason for this delay is generally not known, though it may be a family trait. Other possible causes are:
Pregnancy is the most common reason for secondary amenorrhea. A woman's periods may also stop temporarily due to:
A woman's periods may not start up again for a while after she stops using birth control pills, shots or implants. Usually, periods will start again within 3 to 6 months.
Secondary amenorrhea may also be linked to: