Question: What are the Symptoms of Amenorrhea?
Answer: Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. However, depending on the cause of amenorrhea, certain other symptoms may be present. Symptoms that be associated with missing periods include:
- Changes in the size of one or both breasts.
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
- Vaginal dryness.
- Headaches.
- Voice changes.
- Hirsutism.
- Galactorrhea.
- Loss of vision which may occur rarely when a pituitary tumor is present.
The incidence of amenorrhea is low with primary amenorrhea, which occurs when menstruation hasn't begun by age 16, affecting only about 1% of the population. Secondary amenorrhea, which occurs when two or more menstrual cycles have occurred, affects about 4% of the population at a given time. If you experience amenorrhea, you should see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Make sure to tell your doctor about any other symptoms you experience.
Source:
Menstruation – absent; MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003149.htm; accessed 05/07/08.
