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3/1/2011

Primary Amenorrhea in a Teenager

Primary amenorrhea (PA) is defined absence of menarche by 15 years old. Secondary amenorrhea is defined as the cessation of regular menses for 3 months or the cessation of irregular menses for 6 months.  Oligomenorrhea is defined as irregular menstrual cycles >35 days apart, although in adolescents the definition may be extended to include cycles that last longer than 45 days until 2-3 years after menarche. The average age of menarche is 12.5 years and usually occurs within 2-3 years of thelarche.

Diagnosis begins with a thorough history and physical, where the history should evaluate habits (such as extreme athletics), nutrition, medicines, and assessment for anorexia and bulimia.

The physical exam should include height, weight, Tanner staging, and examination of external genitalia. Growth should be charted. An internal pelvic or recto-abdominal exam is not necessary.

Initial laboratory evaluation should include follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), hCG, and prolactin (PRL) levels. Internal anatomy should be evaluated with transabdominal pelvic ultrasound.

The differential diagnosis should include constitutional delay, anomalies of the outflow tract, enzyme deficiencies & receptor abnormalities, gonadal dysgenesis, central CNS anomalies, and other endocrinopathies (such as PCOS, thyroid, adrenal, Cushing’s, and diabetes).

If breast development is absent and the FSH level is high, the diagnosis is hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (40% of PA). This is primarily caused by gonadal dysgenesis, the most frequent cause of primary amenorrhea. The most common cause is Turner’s syndrome (45X). Pure gonadal dysgenesis (XX) and Swyer’s syndrome (XY) are other causes. Karyotype including microanalysis for Y chromosome material should be performed. Other causes of hypergonadatropic hypogonadism include gonadal injury (chemotherapy, radiation), infection (mumps), resistant ovary syndrome, 17a hydroxylase deficiency, and autoimmune causes.

If breast development is absent and the FSH level is normal or low, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (30% of PA) is present. Normal TSH and PRL levels rule out thyroid disorders and hyperprolactinemia. The remainder of the differential includes constitutional delay (most common), exercise, stress, chronic disease, poor nutrition, anorexia nervosa, infiltrative and ischemic causes, other pituitary abnormalities, Kallmann syndrome, and CNS lesions. A MRI should be obtained to rule out CNS tumor.

If breast development is present, imaging should be performed to determine if a uterus is present. If the uterus is absent, the physical exam, ultrasound findings and testosterone level will differentiate between complete androgen insensitivity (5% of PA) and Mullerian agenesis (10% of PA). Androgen insensitivity has an elevated testosterone level, scant pubic and axillary hair, and a 46 XY karyotype. Mullerian agenesis has a normal hormonal profile, normal distribution of axillary and pubic hair, and a 46 XX karyotype.

At times, PA occurs in women with an otherwise normal pubertal progression, with breast development, uterus present, and no evidence of outlet obstruction. Polycystic ovarian syndrome, late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and Cushing’s syndrome are possible in women where hyperprolactinemia and thyroid disorders have been excluded. These individuals are eugonadal and exhibit signs of hyperandrogenism such as acne and hirsutism. Less severe forms of poor nutrition, eating disorders, chronic medical disorders, and exercise can also present this way.

The long-term effects of hypogonadism include lack of breast development and osteoporosis. The underlying etiology should be corrected to allow normal pubertal development, or low estrogen replacement therapy initiated with gradual increase over a 2-year period to promote puberty.

Further Reading:

Kerns J, Itriyeva K, Fisher M. Etiology and management of amenorrhea in adolescent and young adult women. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. 2022 May;52(5):101184. doi: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2022.101184. Epub 2022 May 4. PMID: 35525789.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Committee opinion no. 605: primary ovarian insufficiency in adolescents and young women. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jul;124(1):193-7. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000451757.51964.98.

Yoon JY, Cheon CK. Evaluation and management of amenorrhea related to congenital sex hormonal disorders. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Sep;24(3):149-157. doi: 10.6065/apem.2019.24.3.149. Epub 2019 Sep 30. PMID: 31607107; PMCID: PMC6790874.

Initial Approval March 2011. Revised September 2016. Reaffirmed September 2019; Minor revision May 2021; Revised November 2022

 

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