Secondary Amenorrhea

3 medicines

Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of periods for three or more consecutive months in someone who previously menstruated regularly. Causes range from weight change and stress to PCOS and thyroid disorders, and treatment targets the underlying cause.

Cycrin

Medroxyprogesterone

5/10mg

Cycrin is a womens health medication containing Medroxyprogesterone, available as 5/10mg tablets.

from $0.60 / tablet View

Duphaston

Dydrogesterone

10mg

Duphaston is a womens health medication containing Dydrogesterone, available as 10mg tablets.

from $2.13 / tablet View

Provera

Medroxyprogesterone

5/10mg

Provera is a womens health medication containing Medroxyprogesterone, available as 5/10mg tablets.

from $0.63 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods for three or more consecutive months in someone who has previously menstruated; it differs from primary amenorrhea, where periods never start.
  • Common causes include significant weight loss, intense athletic training, chronic stress, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, raised prolactin, and premature ovarian insufficiency.
  • A short course of a progestogen such as medroxyprogesterone or dydrogesterone can trigger a period and help confirm whether oestrogen levels are adequate.
  • See a doctor promptly if periods have been absent for several months; prolonged low oestrogen affects bone density, and catching that early matters.

Why periods stop

The most common triggers suppress the hypothalamic signals that drive the menstrual cycle: significant weight loss, intense athletic training, and chronic stress all do this. PCOS is another frequent cause, seen often in women's health consultations. Thyroid disorders, elevated prolactin levels, and premature ovarian insufficiency account for many of the remaining cases. Less commonly, scarring inside the uterus (Asherman's syndrome) physically prevents the lining from shedding.

Hormonal treatment options

When the cause is low progesterone or an absent withdrawal bleed, a short course of a progestogen is often used to trigger a period and check whether oestrogen levels are adequate. Medroxyprogesterone and dydrogesterone are the agents most commonly used for this. Longer-term management depends on the root cause: PCOS may call for cycle regulation with hormonal treatment, while low body weight or overtraining requires addressing the underlying lifestyle factor before periods will return on their own.

When to see a doctor

If periods have been absent for three months or more, see a doctor promptly. Blood tests can identify the underlying cause, and prolonged low oestrogen raises bone density concerns that are easier to manage the earlier they're caught.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.