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Drug-induced
Anti-psychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia have been known to cause amenorrhoea as well. New research suggests that adding a dosage of Metformin to an anti-psychotic drug regimen can restore menstruation. Metformin decreases resistance to the hormone insulin, as well as levels of prolactin, testosterone, and lutenizing hormone (LH). Metformin also decreases the LH/FSH ratio. Results of the study on Metformin further implicate the regulation of these hormones as a main cause of secondary amenorrhoea.

Physical
Amenorrhea can also be caused by physical deformities. One example of this is Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome, the second-most common cause of primary amenorrhea. The syndrome is characterized by Müllerian agenesis. In MRKH Syndrome, the Müllerian ducts do not develop, which prevents menstruation. The syndrome usually develops during the first trimester of pregnancy. MRI techniques can be helpful in determining the extent of the problem. Women may recover from MRKH syndrome, but other times primary amenorrhea, which is characteristic of the disorder, may prevent pregnancy for life.

Women with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa are likely to suffer from secondary amenorrhoea. This can be attributed to low levels of the hormone leptin. A critical leptin level is necessary to maintain regular menstrual cycles, and eating disorders decrease the amount of leptin circulating in a woman's body.

Lactational
Breastfeeding is a common cause of secondary amenorrhea, and often the condition lasts for over six months. Breastfeeding typically lasts longer than lactational amenorrhea, and the duration of amenorrhea varies depending on how often a women breastfeeds. Lactational amenorrhea has been advocated as a method of family planning, especially in developing countries where access to other methods of contraception may be limited. Breastfeeding is said to prevent more births in the developing world than any other method of birth control or contraception. Lactational amenorrhea is 98% percent effective as a method of preventing pregnancy in the first six months postpartum.

Diagnosing Primary Amenorrhea
Primary amenorrhea can be diagnosed in women by age 14 if no secondary sex characteristics are present. In the absence of secondary sex characteristics, the most common cause of amenorrhea is low levels of FSH and LH caused by a delay in puberty. Gonadal dysgenesis, often associated with Turner's Syndrome, or premature ovarian failure may also be to blame. If secondary sex characteristics are present, but menstruation is not, primary amenorrhea can be diagnosed by age 16. A reason for this occurrence may be that a person phenotypically female but genetically male, a situation known as androgen insensitivity syndrome. If undescended testes are present, they are often removed because there are health risks associated with their presence. In the absence of undescended testes, an MRI can be used to determine whether or not a uterus is present. Müllerian agenesis causes around 15% of primary amenorrhea cases. If a uterus is present, outflow track obstruction may be to blame for primary amenorrhea.

Diagnosing Secondary Amenorrhea
Secondary amenorrhea's most common and most easily diagnosable causes are pregnancy, thyroid disease, and hyperprolactinemia. A pregnancy test is a common first step for diagnosis. Hyperprolactinemia, characterized by high levels of the hormone prolactin, is often associated with a pituitary tumor. A dopamine agonist can often help relieve symptoms. The subsiding of the causal syndrome is usually enough to restore menses after a few months. Secondary amenorrhea may also be caused by outflow track obstruction, often related to Asherman's Syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause secondary amenorrhea, although the link between the two is not well understood. Ovarian failure related to early onset menopause can cause secondary amenorrhea, and although the condition can usually be treated, it is not always reversible. Secondary amenorrhea is also caused by stress, extreme weight loss, and excessive exercise. Young athletes are particularly vulnerable, although normal menses usually return with healthy body weight. Causes of secondary amenorrhea can also result in primary amenorrhea, especially if present before onset of menarche.

on Contraceptives
Patients who use and then cease using contraceptives like the combined oral contraceptive pill may experience secondary amenorrhea as a withdrawal symptom. The link is not well understood, as studies have found no difference in hormone levels between women who develop amenorrhea as a withdrawal sympton following the cessation of OCOP use and women who experience secondary amenorrhea because of other reasons. New contraceptive pills, like continuous oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) which do not have the normal 7 days of placebo pills in each cycle, have been shown to increase rates of amenorrhea in women. Studies show that women are most likely to experience amenorrhea after 1 year of treatment with continuous OCP use.

on Social Effects
The social effects of amenorrhea on a person vary significantly. Amenorrhea is often associated with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders, which have their own effects. If secondary amenorrhea is triggered early in life, for example through excessive exercise or weight loss, menarche may not return later in life. A woman in this situation may be unable to become pregnant, even with the help of drugs. Long-term amenorrhea leads to an estrogen deficiency which can bring about menopause at an early age. The hormone estrogen plays a significant role in regulating calcium loss after ages 25-30. When her ovaries no longer produce estrogen because of amenorrhea, a woman is more likely to suffer rapid calcium loss, which in turn can lead to osteoporosis. Increased testosterone levels cause by amenorrhea may lead to body hair growth and decreased breast size. Increased levels of androgens, especially testosterone, can also lead to ovarian cysts. Some research among amenorrheic runners indicates that the loss of menses may be accompanied by a loss of self-esteem.