Amenorrhea Causes

Secondary amenorrhea is most commonly caused by pregnancy. But in nonpregnant women, amenorrhea may result from a variety of factors, including an existing medical condition, lifestyle, emotional distress, hormonal irregularity, or medication. Every effort should be made to determine the exact cause. Specific causes of amenorrhea include:

• Dramatic weight loss, particularly from drastic diets, eating disorders including Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa , or excessive exercise
• Dramatic weight gain or morbid obesity
• Malnourishment
• Birth defects including lack of a uterus, vagina, or other reproductive organs
• Medical conditions including Cystic Fibrosis , Cushing's Syndrome , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , or Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Psychological stress-can lead to a hormonal imbalance sufficient to cause amenorrhea.
• Medications-some antidepressants, chemotherapeutics, corticosteroids, certain contraceptives.
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Hermaphroditism (having both male and female reproductive characteristics)
• Pituitary tumor
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Uterine scarring