Menstrual disorders have many causes. There are steps that may help prevent some problems.
Some problems can be treated before they cause heavy bleeding, such as:
Intense workouts can cause periods to stop. The body does not make enough estrogen when this happens. This can put a woman at risk for health problems, such as weakened bones.
Amenorrhea is often due to having too much or too little body fat. Staying at a healthy weight can help lower the risk of problems.
High levels of stress can change periods. Lowering stress may help. This may be done with things like meditation, deep breathing, progressive relaxation, yoga, and biofeedback.
Some health problems can be treated before they lead to amenorrhea, such as:
Abnormal uterine bleeding. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/approach-to/abnormal-uterine-bleeding. Updated October 10, 2019. Accessed November 14, 2019.
Amenorrhea. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/amenorrhea. Updated January 16, 2018. Accessed November 14, 2019.
Bleeding Disorders in Women. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/blooddisorders/women/index.html. Updated April 25, 2018. Accessed November 14, 2019.
Klein DA, Poth MA. Amenorrhea: an approach to diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Jun 1;87(11):781-788.
Last reviewed September 2019 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 11/20/2020