Amenorrhea

Abstract

Amenorrhea, the absence or cessation of menstrual bleeding, is a clinical symptom which may result from several underlying physiologic and mechanical aberrations (Philip et al, 1965; Hertz et al., 1966; Abraham et al., 1972). Primary amenorrhea is a failure of menarche to occur by the age of 18 yr. Secondary amenorrhea is the cessation of menses for a period longer than 3 mo in patients who have previously menstruated. Some patients may undergo menstrual cyclicity and uterine bleeding without external appearance of blood; this condition is correctly termed cryptomenorrhea, and should not be confused with primary or secondary amenorrhea. Physiologic amenorrhea, the absence of menses before puberty, after the menopause, and during pregnancy and lactation, is a normal phenomenon.