Is persistent pelvic pain and pelvic joint instability associated with early menarche and with oral contraceptives?
A study of 153 women with persistent pelvic pain and pelvic joint instability (PPPJI) following parturition, revealed that the women differed from the controls by a significantly lower age at menarche. Precocious puberty is associated with a fibrous dysplasia which resembles that seen in some PPPJI women patients at operations. Precocious puberty is known to be associated with hypothalamic dysfunction. Following cessation of lactation, 70 of 153 women did suffer galactorrhea and breast discomfort, suggesting a possible affection of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Age at menarche was higher in users of oral contraceptives (OC) than in non-users, but onset of PPPJI was significantly earlier by gestation, and galactorrhea, and breast discomfort more frequent (60% affected as compared to 30% of non-users), suggesting that use of OC affects the hypothalamus in a manner similar to that associated with very early puberty. The widespread use of contraceptives is important if it truly leads to an increased proportion of PPPJI among reproducing women. Onset of puberty, controlled by the hypothalamus, coincides with the final step in brain development--elimination of some 40% of neuronal synapses. Age at puberty has declined by some 4 years in 100 years, and it is still falling. It cannot be excluded that in some very early maturers, redundancy of neuronal synapses persists, and that this is associated with hypothalamic dysfunction.
Work Research Institute, Oslo, Norway.
L F
LF
Saugstad
D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology*; D008572:Menarche; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010388:Pelvis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral