What are the psychological factors that cause amenorrhea in women?

The main psychological factor is stress but I have included information that maybe helpful.


Causes and symptoms

Amenorrhea can have many causes. Primary amenorrhea can be the result of hormonal imbalances, psychiatric disorders, eating disorders, malnutrition, excessive thinness or fatness, rapid weight loss, body fat content too low, and excessive physical conditioning. Intense physical training prior to puberty can delay menarche (the onset of menstruation). Every year of training can delay menarche for up to five months. Some medications such as anti-depressants, tranquilizers, steroids, and heroin can induce amenorrhea.

Primary amenorrhea

However, the main cause is a delay in the beginning of puberty either from natural reasons (such as heredity or poor nutrition) or because of a problem in the endocrine system, such as a pituitary tumor or hypothyroidism. An obstructed flow tract or inflammation in the uterus may be the presenting indications of an underlying metabolic, endocrine, congenital or gynecological disorder.

Typical causes of primary amenorrhea include:
excessive physical activity
drastic weight loss (such as occurs in anorexia or bulimia)
extreme obesity
drugs (antidepressants or tranquilizers)
chronic illness
turner's syndrome. (A chromosomal problem in place at birth, relevant only in cases of primary amenorrhea)
the absence of a vagina or a uterus
imperforate hymen (lack of an opening to allow the menstrual blood through)

Secondary amenorrhea

Some of the causes of primary amenorrhea can also cause secondary amenorrhea -- strenuous physical activity, excessive weight loss, use of antidepressants or tranquilizers, in particular. In adolescents, pregnancy and stress are two major causes. Missed periods are usually caused in adolescents by stress and changes in environment. Adolescents are especially prone to irregular periods with fevers, weight loss, changes in environment, or increased physical or athletic activity. However, any cessation of periods for four months should be evaluated.

The most common cause of seconardy amenorrhea is pregnancy. Also, a woman's periods may halt temporarily after she stops taking birth control pills. This temporary halt usually lasts only for a month or two, though in some cases it can last for a year or more. Secondary amenorrhea may also be related to hormonal problems related to stress, depression, anorexia nervosa or drugs, or it may be caused by any condition affecting the ovaries, such as a tumor. The cessation of menstruation also occurs permanently after menopause or a hysterectomy.

Extreme stress.

Anorexia nervosa

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/amenorr...

There isn't any psychological factors that cause real amenorrhea. Real Amenorrhea is actual problems with your body that doesn't allow you to menstrate. The type of amenorrhea you are talking about is included in pregnancy, birth control, and medications.

I know because I had this problem and it was because I had an infection, but the doctor said that it wasn't actually true Amenorrhea.