What is the medical term for the absence of several menstrual cycles?

The term for the absence of several menstrual cycles is amenorrhea. This condition is characterized by the cessation of menstruation and can occur for various reasons, including hormonal imbalances, significant weight changes, stress, or underlying health conditions. It can be classified into primary amenorrhea, which is when menstruation has not occurred by the age of 15, and secondary amenorrhea, which refers to the absence of menstruation in someone who has previously menstruated for three months or longer.

Menarche refers to the first occurrence of menstruation and does not pertain to the absence of cycles. Oligomenorrhea, on the other hand, describes infrequent menstrual periods, where cycles may occur more than 35 days apart but are not absent. Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, signifying the cessation of menstrual cycles altogether, but is a normal life stage rather than a medical term for absence over a period. Understanding these distinctions reinforces the appropriate usage of terms in relation to menstrual health.