What causes Amenorrhea?

Secondary amenorrhea is most commonly caused by pregnancy. But in nonpregnant women, amenorrhea may result from a variety of factors, including an existing medical condition, lifestyle, emotional distress, hormonal irregularity, or medication. Every effort should be made to determine the exact cause. Specific causes of amenorrhea include:

• Dramatic weight loss, particularly from drastic diets, eating disorders including anorexia and bulimia , or excessive exercise
• Dramatic weight gain or morbid obesity
• Malnourishment
• Birth defects including lack of a uterus, vagina, or other reproductive organs
• Medical conditions including cystic fibrosis , Cushing's disease , polycystic ovary , or Prader-Willi syndrome
• Psychological stress-can lead to a hormonal imbalance sufficient to cause amenorrhea.
• Medications-some antidepressants, chemotherapeutics, corticosteroids, certain contraceptives.
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Hermaphroditism (having both male and female reproductive organs)
• Pituitary tumor
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Uterine scarring