What is the Difference Between Amenorrhea and Menopause?

Amenorrhea and menopause are both conditions related to the absence of menstruation, but they differ in terms of their causes, age of occurrence, and naturalness.

• Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods and can be primary (when a woman hasn't had a period by 15 years old) or secondary (when a woman who has previously experienced periods stops having them). Amenorrhea may occur due to various reasons, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, extreme exercise, weight loss, or stress. It can also be a sign of a more serious condition, and consulting a doctor is recommended if periods stop without an obvious cause.
• Menopause is the permanent end to a woman's reproductive life, marking the end of all monthly periods of bleeding. Menopause usually occurs when a woman is in her early fifties. It is caused by insufficient hormone synthesis by the ovaries, leading to the onset of menopause between the ages of 47 and 53 for most women. Symptoms of menopause may include vaginal dryness, thinning, hot flashes, and disturbances in thought and emotion.

In both amenorrhea and menopause, the absence of menstruation is caused by the inability to ovulate. However, the degree of naturalness, age of occurrence, root causes, and necessary therapy vary widely between the two conditions. While amenorrhea may indicate a treatable condition, menopause is a natural stage of a woman's life and does not require treatment.

Comparative Table: Amenorrhea vs Menopause

Here is a table summarizing the differences between amenorrhea and menopause:

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation, which can be caused by various factors such as hormonal imbalances, stress, or medications. It is a pathological condition and can be primary (absence of menstruation by the age of 16) or secondary (absence of periods for 3 months in a row or more). On the other hand, menopause is the natural and expected cessation of menses, marking the end of a woman's reproductive life. It occurs between the ages of 47 and 53 years and is due to decreased hormone production by the ovaries. While amenorrhea can be treated depending on the underlying cause, menopause is not curable, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and maintaining health.