Thalidomide-induced amenorrhea: case report and literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To report on a patient with thalidomide-induced amenorrhea and review the literature on the effect of thalidomide on ovarian function.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


METHODS
University medical center.


METHODS
A twenty-eight-year-old woman referred for a 2-year history of amenorrhea.


METHODS
History, physical examination, laboratory evaluation of the patient, and subsequent medical therapy. Literature review performed by using OVID/Medline and PubMed search strategies.


METHODS
Diagnosis and appropriate management of thalidomide-induced amenorrhea.


RESULTS
Elevated pituitary gonadotropins, other labs normal. All known causes of hypergonadotropic amenorrhea were excluded.


CONCLUSIONS
Thalidomide induces hypergonadotropic amenorrhea. Although this effect appears to be reversible, the long-term effect of thalidomide on ovarian reserve is unclear.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 619 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35249, USA. sdharia@uabmc.edu
Sejal P
SP
Dharia
Michael P
MP
Steinkampf
Cynthia
C
Cater
D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D013792:Thalidomide