Gonadal function and morphology in non-cirrhotic female alcoholics: a controlled study with hormone measurements and ultrasonography.
OBJECTIVE
To study the occurrence and mechanisms of gonadal dysfunction in women with alcohol abuse.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Helsinki University Central Hospital.


METHODS
Fifteen consecutive chronic female alcoholics without liver cirrhosis admitted for withdrawal treatment, were studied after cessation of alcohol intake. Twelve women had regular menstrual cycles, two appeared to be menopausal and one had hypothalamic amenorrhoea. The women with regular cycles were compared with eleven healthy controls.


METHODS
Blood was sampled for hormone measurements three times on cycle days 5 to 7, 11 to 14, and 19 to 22, and ultrasonography was performed on the same days as the first two hormonal studies.


METHODS
Serum LH, FSH, prolactin, estrone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), the ovarian volume, the follicular diameter, the endometrial thickness.


RESULTS
During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle the serum concentration of testosterone was 65% (p < 0.01) higher and that of progesterone 23% (p > 0.05) lower in patients than in controls. During the follicular phase serum DHEAS level was decreased by 39% (p < 0.05) in patients. Otherwise the serum concentrations of the hormones studied were similar in patients and in controls. As assessed by ultrasonography, patients and controls did not differ with regard to size of the ovaries, follicle development, or the endometrial thickness.


CONCLUSIONS
Even heavy alcohol use has only minor permanent effects on ovarian function, at least until development of liver cirrhosis.
Välimäki
M J
MJ
Third Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Laitinen
K
K
Tiitinen
A
A
Steman
U H
UH
Ylöstalo
P
P
D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000139:chemically induced; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D014463:Ultrasonography
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006062:Gonadotropins