Absent or Irregular Periods

Absent or irregular periods can occur for many reasons. Some of the more common causes include:

• Pregnancy
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Stress and significant life changes
• Weight loss or low body weight
• Excessive exercise or athletic training
• Thyroid disorders
• Elevated prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia)
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
• Perimenopause or menopause
• Certain medications or hormonal contraceptives
• Intrauterine adhesions (Asherman syndrome)

While occasional cycle variation is common, persistent changes in menstrual patterns may warrant further evaluation. The resources below provide information about several common causes of absent or irregular periods and the testing that may be recommended to better understand your symptoms.

Understanding Absent or Irregular Periods

• Amenorrhea: Absence of Periods (ACOG FAQ)

• Missed Periods (Patient.Info)

• Recommended Videos:

  • Understanding Amenorrhea (Natalie Crawford, MD)

  • Understanding Irregular Periods (Natalie Crawford, MD)

  • Weight & Missed Periods (Patient.Info)

  • Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: Diagnosis (Natalie Crawford, MD)

  • Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: Treatment (Natalie Crawford, MD)

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