This is when a woman has not had her monthly flow or is delayed. It may be that the woman has never menstruated before (called primary amenorrhea), or the woman has not bled in the last 6 months (called secondary amenorrhea).

What are the possible causes

• Pregnancy: this is commonest cause
• When a woman is nursing  a baby (lactating)
• Problem with the hormones in the body
• Problems with the woman’s ovary
• Blockage of the opening of the womb, in which case the blood cannot flow out. This may occur following infection or a dilatation and curettage (called D&C).
• Obesity
• Severe weight loss
• Poor nutrition, low blood level
• Use of family planning pills
• Strenuous exercise

What can be done

• The first thing is to have a pregnancy test done, preferably using blood
• Visit your doctor: he or she will ask questions to further determine the cause
• Your doctor may ask you to do tests like scan, hormonal profile, HSG, infection test as necessary
• Needed treatment will be given based on the doctor’s finding, and then you will be fine