For many women, their menstrual cycle is a regular and reliable part of their life. So, when it suddenly stops without explanation, it can be concerning. This condition, known as amenorrhea, can be a sign of an  underlying health issue, particularly related to fertility. In fact, the connection between amenorrhea and infertility is significant and worth exploring. Understanding how these two are linked can provide useful insight into your reproductive health and help you seek the right medical care when, and if, needed.

If you are experiencing amenorrhea, you can talk to the best gynecologist in Brooklyn area and visit us at Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center.

What Is Amenorrhea?

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. It can be classified into two categories:

• Primary amenorrhea, where a woman has not begun menstruating by age 15.
• Secondary amenorrhea, where a woman who previously had regular periods suddenly stops menstruating for at least three consecutive months.

While missing a period occasionally can happen for a variety of reasons, prolonged absence of menstruation is often a sign of something more serious.

How Amenorrhea Is Linked to Infertility

The disruption of normal ovulation is the common cause of amenorrhea and infertility. The menstrual cycle is directly tied to ovulation, which is when an egg is released from the ovaries. For conception to occur, ovulation must happen regularly. When you experience amenorrhea, it often means that you are not ovulating, which can make it difficult or impossible to conceive naturally.

Causes of Amenorrhea That Affect Fertility

• Hormonal Imbalances – Hormones play an important role in regulating your menstrual cycle. The brain and ovaries communicate through a delicate hormonal balance to trigger ovulation and menstruation. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to amenorrhea and infertility. Conditions that further causes hormonal imbalance can include:
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – One of the most common causes of both amenorrhea and infertility. PCOS is a condition where the ovaries produce an excess of androgens (male hormones). This hormonal imbalance interferes with your ovulation, causing irregular or missed periods and making it difficult to conceive.
  • Thyroid Disorders – Both an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lead to menstrual irregularities. Since thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism and reproductive hormones, thyroid disorders can disrupt your ovulation and cause infertility.
  • Hyperprolactinemia – Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates breast milk production. When prolactin levels are abnormally high in women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, it can interfere with the production of estrogen and cause amenorrhea. This hormone imbalance can prevent ovulation and lead to infertility.
• Stress and Lifestyle Factors – Stress is a powerful disruptor of your body’s normal functions, including your menstrual cycle. Prolonged physical or emotional stress can interfere with your brain’s ability to regulate reproductive hormones, leading to amenorrhea. If you experience chronic stress, extreme weight loss, or excessive exercise, you usually stop menstruating because your body is in a state of energy deficiency.
  • Low Body Weight – Women with very low body fat percentages, such as athletes or those with eating disorders like anorexia, often experience amenorrhea. Without enough body fat, your body produces less estrogen, a hormone important for ovulation. In these case, your body essentially “shuts down” your reproductive system to conserve energy, making conception almost impossible.
  • Overexercise – Intense physical activity, especially without adequate caloric intake, can also disrupt your menstrual cycle. This condition, known as functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, is common among endurance athletes and women who engage in excessive workouts. The stress on the body prevents ovulation and can lead to infertility.
• Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) – Sometimes referred to as early menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency occurs when your ovaries stop functioning before the age of 40. In women with POI, the ovaries fail to produce normal levels of estrogen, leading to irregular or missed periods and, eventually, infertility. Unlike natural menopause, where the ovaries no longer release eggs, women with POI may still ovulate occasionally, but the possibility of spontaneous pregnancy is significantly reduced.
• Medications and Medical Treatments – Certain medications, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy used to treat cancer, can damage your ovaries and result in amenorrhea. Additionally, some medications used for psychiatric or chronic conditions may interfere with your reproductive hormones, leading to menstrual irregularities and fertility issues.

If you’re experiencing amenorrhea and are concerned about your fertility, seeking medical advice early is important. With the right diagnosis and care, you may be able to restore your menstrual cycles and improve your chances of conceiving naturally or through fertility treatments.

At Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center, we provide women with quality health care services. Our specialists aim to deliver the highest quality of healthcare. We work with our patients in diagnosing and formulating treatment plans for their condition. To book an appointment, you can visit us 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 or call us at 1-347-955-3465. You can also visit our website at http://www.gynecologistbrooklyn.com/.