Endocrine profile of women with amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea

OBJECTIVES: To find out the common causes of amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea in south Indian women and to draw up a protocol for evaluation of women with these problems. METHODS: A retrospective study of 426 women with amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea was carried out. RESULTS: Forty-one patients had primary amenorrhea, 132 had secondary amenorrhea and 289 women presented with oligomenorrhea. Hypergonadotropic amenorrhea and congenital absence of the uterus and vagina accounted for 60% of primary amenorrhea. Chronic anovulatory disorders and premature ovarian failure were found in 72% of women with secondary amenorrhea but weight loss related amenorrhea was uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the observations made, a protocol for evaluation and management of women with amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea was evolved.