Primary Amenorrhea at 16: Causes, What to Expect & When to Seek Help

Question
i haven't had my period yet and im nearly 16. should i use birth control pills to help induce it???

Answer
Dear Amanda,

This is a condition called primary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is not considered to have occurred until a girl is beyond age 16. Primary amenorrhea may occur with or without other signs of puberty. In the United States, this occurs in less than 0.1% of girls.

There are numerous possible causes for primary amenorrhea. Some more common ones include:
-Drastic weight reduction (from poverty, fad dieting, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, very strenuous exercise, or other cause)
-Malnutrition
-Extreme obesity
-Chronic (long term) illnesses
-Genital abnormalities present since birth (absence of the uterus or vagina, vaginal septum, cervical stenosis, imperforate hymen)
-Hypoglycemia
-Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
-Polycystic ovarian disease

Treatment depends on the cause of the absence of periods. An examination and testing by your doctor is necessary to determine the specific cause in your individual case. Once the cause is accurately determined, your doctor will decide on the correct treatment for your particular case. Birth control pills are not corrective in all cases and may make the cause worse in some cases.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda