Home > Encyclopedia of Cancer > Amenorrhea

Definition

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation and is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

Primary amenorrhea refers to the absence of the onset of menstruation by age 16 whether or not normal growth and secondary sexual characteristics are present, or the absence of menses after age 14 when normal growth and signs of secondary sexual characteristics are present. Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menses for three cycles or six months in women who have previously menstruated.

In terms of the relationship of amenorrhea to cancer, amenorrhea may be a symptom of a gynecologic tumor, or the pause or cessation in menstruation may develop as a side effect of cancer treatment.

Demographics

The prevalence of primary amenorrhea is 0.3% and secondary amenorrhea occurs...