Adult-onset amenorrhea: A study of 262 patients

Richard H. Reindollar, Michael Novak, Sandra P.T. Tho, Paul G. McDonough

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

153 Scopus citations

Abstract

A series of 262 patients with amenorrhea of adult onset are reported. Hypothalamic suppression followed by inappropriate positive feedback, and then hyperprolactinemia and ovarian failure are the most frequently encountered etiologies. Other etiologies are diverse and numerically less frequent. Amenorrhea after use of oral contraceptives, or postpill amenorrhea, occurred in 77 (29%) of all patients. The average age of presentation, prior menstrual history, associated morbidity, and subsequent reproductive potential of each diagnostic group are reported. Adult-onset amenorrhea has a less significant impact on future wellbeing than was reported for a similar-sized group of patients whose amenorrhea developed as a result of pubertal aberrancy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)531-541
Number of pages11
JournalAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology
Volume155
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1986

Keywords

  • Secondary amenorrhea
  • postpill amenorrhea

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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