Amenorrhoea Overview

Amenorrhoea Overview

• Amenorrhoea is the absence of menstruation.
• Classified into primary and secondary amenorrhoea.

Primary Amenorrhoea

• Refers to females who do not menstruate by age 16.

Secondary Amenorrhoea

• Defined as cessation of menstruation for over six months in a normal reproductive-aged female not due to pregnancy.

Oligomenorrhoea

• Characterized by irregular periods occurring at intervals of more than 35 days, resulting in only 4 to 9 periods per year.

Etiology of Primary Amenorrhoea

• Classified based on the presence or absence of secondary sexual characteristics.

Normal Secondary Sexual Characteristics

• Conditions include:
  • Imperforate hymen
  • Transverse vaginal septum
  • Absent vagina with a functioning uterus
  • Absent vagina with a non-functioning uterus
  • XY female with androgen insensitivity
  • Resistant ovary syndrome
  • Constitutional delay in development

Absent Secondary Sexual Characteristics (Normal Stature)

• Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism linked to isolated gonadotrophin-releasing hormone deficiency (Kallmann syndrome).
• Hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism due to:
  • Weight loss or anorexia
  • Excessive exercise
  • Hyperprolactinemia
  • Gonadal dysgenesis
  • Turner mosaic or other X deletions
  • XY enzymatic failure
  • Ovarian failure
  • Galactosaemia

Absent Secondary Sexual Characteristics (Short Stature)

• Hyogonadotrophic hypogonadism sometimes triggered by congenital infections.
• Acquired conditions could include:
  • Trauma (e.g., head injury)
  • Empty sella syndrome
  • Tumors

Reproductive Outflow Tract Abnormalities

• Mullerian agenesis is the congenital absence of the vagina or uterus, known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.
• Typically, ovarian function and secondary sexual characteristics remain normal.
• Diagnosis may be indicated by the presence of a blind vaginal dimple and absence of the vagina and uterus.

This quiz explores the definitions and classifications of amenorrhoea, including primary and secondary types. Learn about the implications for women's health and reproductive age. Test your knowledge on menstruation disorders and their characteristics.