CSSD Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

Secondary amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menstruation for three consecutive cycles or for a duration of six months in women who have previously had regular menstrual cycles. This condition differs from primary amenorrhea, where menstruation has never occurred.

The definition provided in the correct choice accurately reflects the criteria for diagnosing secondary amenorrhea, which is crucial for identifying and understanding its causes, such as hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, significant weight loss, stress, or underlying health conditions. Identifying secondary amenorrhea is important for further medical evaluation and potential treatment options.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the clinical definition of secondary amenorrhea. For instance, regular cycles with occasional breaks refer more to irregular menstruation rather than the absence of menstruation entirely. Stating absence of menstruation for four months is not specific enough to meet the three missed cycles criterion, and indicating that menstruation only occurs after treatment could pertain to various conditions but does not specifically describe the essential characteristic of secondary amenorrhea itself.