Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Practice Test

What defines primary amenorrhea?

1. Increase in bone mass

2. Loss of menstrual cycle

3. Painful menstrual period

4. Delay of menarche past the age of 16

The correct answer is: Loss of menstrual cycle

Primary amenorrhea is specifically defined as the absence of menstruation in an individual who is at least 16 years old and has not yet started their menstrual cycles. This condition indicates a significant aspect of reproductive health, highlighting that menarche, the onset of menstruation, has not occurred by this age. While a loss of the menstrual cycle can indicate other forms of amenorrhea, primary amenorrhea distinctly focuses on the lack of menarche altogether. The other options do not accurately capture the definition of primary amenorrhea. For instance, an increase in bone mass may relate to various hormonal changes or conditions but does not pertain directly to the criteria for diagnosing amenorrhea. Similarly, painful menstrual periods refer to dysmenorrhea, which involves the presence of a menstrual cycle rather than its absence. Hence, the correct identification of primary amenorrhea is centered on the delay or absence of menarche, specifically beyond the age of 16.