According to standard Indian textbook convention (DC Dutta), primary amenorrhoea is diagnosed when there is no menarche by what age?
- A 16 years regardless of secondary sexual development
- B 12 years regardless of secondary sexual development
- C 14 years when secondary sexual characters are absent, or 16 years when they are present ✓
- D 18 years when secondary sexual characters are absent
Correct answer: C. 14 years when secondary sexual characters are absent, or 16 years when they are present
Explanation
Indian convention defines primary amenorrhoea as absence of menarche by 14 years in a girl with no secondary sexual characters, or by 16 years when growth and secondary sexual development are otherwise normal. The earlier cutoff of 14 applies because absent breast development by that age suggests a serious endocrine or chromosomal cause needing workup. Option A ignores the two-tier definition and delays investigation unnecessarily.
Reference: Dutta's Textbook of Gynecology, 6th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.