POF Support Group: Research Research Studies. This page contains details about research studiescurrently being conducted related to Premature ovarian failure http://www.pofsupport.org/research.htm
Extractions: Menstrual Cycle Maintenance and Quality of Life After Breast Cancer (study) If you participated in one of the above studies and are willing to write about your experience we need you. We are often asked: "What’s it really like to participate in that study?" Please write to us and let us know about your experience (from how you decided to enroll, to the enrollment process, to what it was like to participate, to how your time was spent during your participation) and we’ll pass it on.
Extractions: St Annes's College, Oxford, UK Pituitary disease and hypothalamic disease each affect the normal patterns of production of gonadotrophins. Hyperprolactinaemia is the single commonest pituitary abnormality, and can result from pituitary adenomas, disruption of the pituitary stalk, and dopamine antagonist drugs, including phenothiazines, metoclopramide and domperidone. The effect of hyperprolactinaemia on women is most obvious because of abnormal lactation, but in both men and women excess prolactin suppresses the normal pulsatile release of GnRH from the hypothalamus and the gonadotrophins LH and FSH from the pituitary. The result in women is loss of the ovarian cyclical production of both mature oocytes and oestrogen, and in men, suppression of testosterone secretion and oligospermia, with loss of libido in both sexes. Most other types of pituitary disease readily affect gonadotrophin production. Any destructive lesions of the pituitary or hypothalamus interfere with the normal pulsatile production of LH and FSH, and even if hormone levels remain within the reference range for a single sample, it is the disrupted pattern of secretion that is critical, resulting in a complete lack of gonadal response. Pituitary tumours, including Cushing's disease, acromegaly and non-functioning adenomas, may all have this effect, depending on the size and location of the tumour. Pituitary surgery, even selective microadenomectomy, carries a risk of damaging gonadotroph function, and radiotherapy ultimately causes progressive pituitary and hypothalamic damage resulting in gonadal dysfunction.
Medical Conditions - Reproductive Endocrinology pituitary gland adrenal gland or ovaries. Other causes are primary ovarianfailure, resistant ovary syndrome and autoimmune oophoritis. http://www.dpcweb.com/medical/reproductive_endocrinology/anovulatory_cycles.html
Extractions: Anovulation (no ovulation) is a disorder in which eggs do not develop properly, or are not released from the follicles of the ovaries. During menopause, anovulation marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. Although menstruation can take place even when ovulation does not occur, anovulation often leads to infrequent menstrual periods (oligomenorrhea). The disorder may result from hormonal imbalances; eating disorders; hypothalamic dysfunction; hyperprolactinemia; polycystic ovary syndrome; luteal phase defects; or tumors of the pituitary gland adrenal gland or ovaries. Other causes are primary ovarian failure, resistant ovary syndrome and autoimmune oophoritis Diagnostic test may include Serum assays LH (on days 13 and 15 of menstrual cycle, to detect midcycle peak) FSH Progesterone Prolactin DHEA-SO Testosterone and SHBG (for obtaining Free Androgen Index [FAI] or calculated free testosterone levels) CT scan or MRI scan of pituitary and hypothalamus Endometrial biopsy Ovarian biopsy Specific antibody tests
Gynecologic Bleeding Scenario 1 Amenorrhea without androgen excess may be due to either primary ovarianfailure or inadequate or abnormal gonadotropin production. http://nursing.unc.edu/modules/gyn_bleeding/gyn_bleeding_scenario_1b.htm
Extractions: The Gynecologic Triad: Bleeding It is quite extensive. The most common cause of secondary amenorrhea in women of childbearing age is pregnancy. The differential diagnosis includesÂ… Potential structural causes secondary amenorrhea are (1) formation of intrauterine adhesions and scarring secondary to prior intrauterine surgery (Asherman's syndrome) or chronic infection (e.g., tuberculosis, schistosomiasis in endemic areas) and (2) acquired cervical stenosis, typically following a surgical procedure such as conization. Endocrinologic causes of secondary amenorrhea. Secondary amenorrhea in nonpregnant women most commonly results from an alteration of endocrine function affecting the hypothalamus, pituitary, or ovary. Several of these causes result in hyperandrogenic states. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hyperandrogenic cause of amenorrhea. Women with PCOS have normal estrogen levels, possible increased luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH) ratios, and symptoms of mild to moderate androgen excess, with hirsutism (male-pattern hair growth) and oily skin. They often are overweight and may have menstrual disturbances, including irregular uterine bleeding and amenorrhea.
