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Primary Amenorrhea

  • Chapter
Infertility

Part of the book series: Clinical Perspectives in Obstetrics and Gynecology ((CPOG))

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Abstract

Menarche occurs at a mean age of 12.8 to 13.5 years (1,2) and 95% of normal women have begun to menstruate by the age of 15.5 to 16 years. After 16 years of age, women who have never menstruated may be normal but are more likely to have a genetic, developmental, or endocrinologic abnormality that warrants a careful evaluation. A comprehensive evaluation is not necessary for most women under the age of 16 years, but is for women over 16 years, especially if there is a family history of primary amenorrhea, ambiguous genitalia, or evidence of an endocrinopathy that may affect menstrual function. An abbreviated evaluation without extensive hormonal studies or karyotype is often sufficient to relieve the adolescent’s or her parents’ concern that something other than delayed puberty is the cause of primary amenorrhea. Thus, there are 3 indications to evaluate a woman who has never menstruated—age over 16 years, a positive family history of amenorrhea or genital abnormality, and patient or parental concern.

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  1. James Aiman
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, 8700 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA

    James Aiman M.D. (Associate Professor / Director) (Associate Professor / Director)

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Aiman, J. (1984). Primary Amenorrhea. In: Aiman, J. (eds) Infertility. Clinical Perspectives in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8265-2_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-8265-2_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

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