Book contents
- The EBCOG Postgraduate Textbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- The EBCOG Postgraduate Textbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Videos
- Contributors
- Preface
- Section 1 Basic Sciences in Gynaecology
- Section 2 Menstrual Disorders
- Section 3 Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
- Chapter 11 Primary and Secondary Amenorrhoea
- Chapter 12 Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in the First and Second Trimesters
- Chapter 13 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Chapter 14 Hirsutism and Virilism
- Chapter 15 Female and Male Infertility
- Chapter 16 Assisted Conception Techniques
- Chapter 17 Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
- Chapter 18 Legal and Ethical Issues in Assisted Conception Treatment
- Chapter 19 Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Section 4 Contraception and STIs
- Section 5 Post-Reproductive Care
- Section 6 Vulva and Vagina
- Section 7 Cervix
- Section 8 Uterus
- Section 9 Ovary and Fallopian Tubes
- Section 10 Operative Gynaecology
- Section 11 Public Health Issues in Gynaecology
- Section 12 Miscellaneous
- Index
- Plate Section (PDF Only)
- References
Chapter 11 - Primary and Secondary Amenorrhoea
from Section 3 - Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 November 2021
- The EBCOG Postgraduate Textbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- The EBCOG Postgraduate Textbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Videos
- Contributors
- Preface
- Section 1 Basic Sciences in Gynaecology
- Section 2 Menstrual Disorders
- Section 3 Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
- Chapter 11 Primary and Secondary Amenorrhoea
- Chapter 12 Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in the First and Second Trimesters
- Chapter 13 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Chapter 14 Hirsutism and Virilism
- Chapter 15 Female and Male Infertility
- Chapter 16 Assisted Conception Techniques
- Chapter 17 Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
- Chapter 18 Legal and Ethical Issues in Assisted Conception Treatment
- Chapter 19 Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Section 4 Contraception and STIs
- Section 5 Post-Reproductive Care
- Section 6 Vulva and Vagina
- Section 7 Cervix
- Section 8 Uterus
- Section 9 Ovary and Fallopian Tubes
- Section 10 Operative Gynaecology
- Section 11 Public Health Issues in Gynaecology
- Section 12 Miscellaneous
- Index
- Plate Section (PDF Only)
- References
Summary
Amenorrhoea is a medical term that is used to describe the absence of menses, which is classified into primary and secondary amenorrhoea. Primary amenorrhoea is encountered in approximately 3% of the population and refers to the concurrent absence of onset of menstruation (menarche), normal growth, secondary sexual characteristics including breast development (thelarche) and growth of pubic hair (adrenarche) when a girl reaches the 13th year of life [1]. The age of menarche varies in the general population; however, it is generally considered that the majority of young girls will experience menarche between the 10th and 16th years of life. Thelarche and adrenarche usually precede the onset of menarche by a period that may vary between a few months and two years. When normal growth is present and secondary sexual development is observed, absence of menstruation is considered normal until the age of 15; however, when this threshold is exceeded primary amenorrhoea is also diagnosed. This threshold is somewhat lower compared to that described in traditional handbooks (16 years of life); however, it is justified by current worldwide trends that seem to suggest a progressive lowering in the age of menarche. In the absence of growth or secondary sexual characteristics, primary amenorrhoea is defined as the absence of menstruation before the age of 14 years.
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- The EBCOG Postgraduate Textbook of Obstetrics & GynaecologyGynaecology, pp. 91 - 100Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021