What term describes the absence of menstruation?

Amenorrhea is the medical term used to describe the absence of menstruation. This condition can occur for various reasons, including hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, significant weight loss, extreme exercise, stress, or certain medical conditions. Understanding amenorrhea is important in the context of reproductive health, as it can indicate underlying health issues that may require attention.

In contrast, menorrhagia refers to excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, polymenorrhagia indicates menstruation occurring more frequently than the typical cycle, and oligomenorrhea describes infrequent menstrual periods. Each of these terms reflects different menstrual irregularities, highlighting the importance of understanding menstruation's various characteristics and conditions in the realm of women's health.