Absence of Menstrual Periods - Amenorrhea

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the condition?

By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a woman may be able to avoid secondary amenorrhea. A woman should:

  • avoid smoking and alcohol or substance abuse
  • maintain a healthy weight by adjusting her diet
  • try to balance work and recreation
  • lower her stress levels

    • If this seems too hard, she should ask for guidance from friends, family, or healthcare professionals.

    What are the long-term effects of the condition?

    Long-term amenorrhea and estrogen-deficiency may raise a woman's risk of excess bone loss and osteoporosis. This makes bones more likely to break.

    A woman who wishes to get pregnant may be resistant to drugs that help induce ovulation. If PCOS is causing the amenorrhea, long-term effects include:

  • obesity
  • excess face and body hair
  • infertility
  • ovarian cysts, or fluid-filled sacs
  • a higher risk of uterine cancer

    • What are the risks to others?

    None.