1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Menstrual Disorders

"What is Amenorrhea?"

By Tracee Cornforth, About.com

Updated: October 22, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: The absence of menstruation. There are two primary types of amenorrhea called primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea occurs when menstruation has not started by the age of 16. Secondary amenorrhea occurs when menstruation has begun but has stopped.

Lactational amenorrhea is a type of secondary amenorrhea that occurs during breastfeeding. Some women use lactational amenorrhea as a contraceptive. This type of natural family planning is effective only during the first six months of exclusive breastfeeding.

See also: Types of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Also Known As: missed periods, late periods, missed menstruation, late menstruation

Common Misspellings: amenerha, amerhia, amenerhia

Explore Menstrual Disorders

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Menstrual Disorders
  4. Glossary
  5. What is Amenorrhea?

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.