Amenorrhoea (
BE),
amenorrhea (
AmE), or
amenorrhœa, is the absence of a
menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age. Physiological states of amenorrhoea are seen during
pregnancy and
lactation (breastfeeding), the latter also forming the basis of a form of contraception known as the
lactational amenorrhoea method. Outside of the reproductive years there is absence of menses during childhood and after
menopause.
