OVERVIEW
This page is designed to organize content that is relevant to the topic of primary amenorrhea. This term is used often in medicine, and it is important that we become as familiar as possible with it.
WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?
Before going any farther, let us make sure we clearly define primary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea refers to situation in which a patient has NEVER begun the process of menstruation (has never had a period). Typically the patient will have to have absent menses until the age of 15 years to be given this diagnosis (as absent menses at a younger age are not necessarily pathological).
ORGANIZING THE DIFFERENTIAL
The differential diagnosis for primary amenorrhea can be organized in a few different ways:
- Can’t miss diagnosis
- Organ systen
- Disease category
- Diagnostic modality
- Most common diagnosis
CLINICAL “WORKUP”
Now that the possible causes of primary amenorrhea have been established, the focus can shift to how one would actually “work-up” a patient who presents with primary amenorrhea.
Page Updated: 10.02.2016