What else can cause an absence of menstruation?

1. Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding mothers often experience amenorrhea; however, ovulation may still occur and pregnancy is possible even without menstruation.

2. Emotional stress is another possible cause of absence of menstruation. Eliminating the stress usually will cause menstruation to resume.

3. Medications: Certain medications such as contraceptives (oral, implanted, and injected), oral corticosteriods, antidepressants, antipsychotics, thyroid, and some chemotherapy drugs may cause amenorrhea for some women.

4. You could have a hormonal imbalance. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a common form of hormonal imbalance which may cause amenorrhea, as well as other symptoms that can include the other extreme with excessive bleeding (menorrhagia).

5. A healthy and well-balanced diet is essential. Malnourished women or extremely underweight women often experience amenorrhea. This occurs frequently in women with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.

6. Vigorous exercise or athletic training can cause amenorrhea.

7. Your thyroid: Millions of Americans suffer from undiagnosed thyroid disease -- another possibility that should be explored by your physician.

8. Chronic illness: If you have a chronic illness, or have been sick for an extended period, your menstrual cycle may be temporarily delayed. Once your body is well your period will usually return.

9. Although rare, a pituitary tumor (a usually benign tumor) can cause an overproduction of prolactin which can interfere with the regulation of your menstrual cycle.

If you have missed three or more menstrual cycles, and you haven't already sought professional medical advice, it's time to seek medical care to determine the underlying cause. Only a qualified health care provider can determine the cause of amenorrhea.

To your health!

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