Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period. There are two categories: primary amenorrhea, where menarche has not occurred by age 16; and secondary amenorrhea, where normal menstruation has ceased for at least three months. In the context of eating disorders, amenorrhea occurs secondary to: low body weight, significant reduction from typical body weight, and/or secondary to restricted eating patterns. Amenorrhea is not considered a sole diagnostic criteria for eating disorders. The loss of the period may be caused by:
  • Extreme weight loss
  • Intense exercise routines
  • Increased levels of stress      

We don’t know which of the above actually leads to the loss of the period or if it’s the combination of factors that can lead to the medical diagnosis.  Source.


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