Women's Health Issues Chapter 235 Absent or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Menstruation is normal uterine bleeding. Abnormal uterine bleeding may be caused by physical or hormonal disorders. In amenorrhea, uterine bleeding is absent. The absence of menstrual periods is normal only before puberty, during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and after menopause. The absence of periods can result from an abnormality in the brain, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, or virtually any part of the reproductive tract.
Strenuous exercise can cause periods to stop.
Apparently, exercise causes the pituitary to decrease its secretion of the hormones that stimulate the ovaries, so the ovaries produce less estrogen. A very rare cause is male pseudohermaphroditism, in which a person who is genetically male develops as a female. A girl who shows no evidence of puberty by age 13, who hasn't had a period by age 16, or who hasn't had a period within 5 years of starting puberty should be examined for possible medical problems. Symptoms Symptoms vary, depending on the cause of the absence of periods. For instance, if the cause is failure to undergo puberty, the normal signs of puberty, such as breast development, pubic and underarm hair, and changes in body shape, are absent or only partially present.