What medical term describes the absence or suppression of the normal menstrual cycle?

Amenorrhea is the term that specifically refers to the absence or suppression of the normal menstrual cycle. It can occur for various reasons, including hormonal imbalances, stress, significant weight loss, intense exercise, or medical conditions impacting reproductive health.

Understanding the implications of amenorrhea is crucial, as it can have significant effects on a woman's health, including fertility issues and bone density concerns due to lower estrogen levels.

Menorrhagia refers to excessively heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, while dysmenorrhea describes painful menstruation. Menopause indicates the end of a woman's reproductive years, characterized by the cessation of menstruation after a significant decrease in reproductive hormones. These terms highlight different aspects of menstrual health and do not address the specific absence of menstruation like amenorrhea does.