What is secondary amenorrhea?
Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of periods for 3 months or more in someone who previously had regular periods, or for 6 months in someone whose periods were irregular. Pregnancy is the most common cause. Others include stress, low body weight, intense exercise, PCOS, thyroid problems, high prolactin and premature ovarian insufficiency.
Primary vs secondary
Amenorrhea means no periods. Primary amenorrhea means periods have never started by age 15. Secondary amenorrhea means they started, then stopped. Missing periods during pregnancy, breastfeeding or after menopause is expected and isn't counted.
Common causes
| Cause | How it stops periods |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy | Hormones keep the lining in place |
| Hypothalamic amenorrhea | Stress, under-eating or heavy exercise switch off the brain signals |
| PCOS | Ovulation becomes rare |
| High prolactin | Suppresses ovulation |
| Thyroid problems | Disrupt the hormone loop |
| POI | Ovaries stop working normally before 40 |
| Hormonal contraception | Some methods thin the lining so bleeding stops |
What a doctor will check
Usually a pregnancy test first, then blood tests for FSH, LH, prolactin, thyroid and sometimes testosterone, and possibly an ultrasound. Treatment depends on the cause. Long-term low estrogen affects bone health, so finding the cause matters even if you don't mind missing periods. See why did my period stop.
Losing periods can be unsettling, and low estrogen can affect mood and sleep. If stress or eating is part of the picture, emotional support is part of treatment too.
See a doctor if you've missed 3 periods in a row and aren't pregnant, or sooner if you also have breast discharge, headaches, vision changes or menopause symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Can stress alone stop periods?
Yes. Significant stress, especially with weight loss or heavy training, can switch off ovulation for months.
Will my periods come back?
Usually, once the cause is treated. For example, restoring energy intake often brings periods back in hypothalamic amenorrhea.
Sources
This page is for information only and isn鈥檛 medical advice. If something worries you, please talk to a doctor.
Keep reading
Amenorrhea: definition and meaningAmenorrhea means having no periods. The difference between primary and secondary amenorrhea, the usual causes and when it's time to see a doctor.
Why did my period stop?Why did my period stop? Pregnancy first, then stress, weight change, exercise, PCOS, thyroid, birth control or perimenopause. What to check and when.
What is amenorrhea?Amenorrhea means absent periods: no period by 15, or no period for 3 months or more. The types, common causes from stress to PCOS, and how it's treated.
Hypothalamic amenorrhea: definition and meaningHypothalamic amenorrhea: periods stop because the brain dials down cycle hormones, often from stress, under-eating or hard training. Causes and recovery.Late period: the common reasons and what to do nextLate period and not sure why? Pregnancy, stress, illness, weight, exercise, PCOS, thyroid and perimenopause explained, plus a clear plan for what to do.