title: Resumption of menstruation and pituitary response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea subjects undertaking estrogen replacement therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) refers to a functional menstrual disorder with various causes and presentations. Recovery of menstrual cyclicity is common in long-term follow-up but the affecting factors remain unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore factors affecting the menstrual resumption and to evaluate the pituitary response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in FHA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty cases with FHA were recruited. All subjects were put on continuous 1 mg/day estradiol valerate orally and followed up monthly. Recovery was defined as the occurrence of at least three consecutive regular cycles. Responder referred to those who recovered within two years of therapy. Gonadotropin response to the 50 μg GnRH challenge was tested every three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen (63.3%) subjects recovered with a mean time to recovery of 26.8 months. Time to recovery was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) before and by amenorrhea. Twentyone cases had undertaken therapy for more than two years and 10 of them recovered. BMI before and by amenorrhea were negatively correlated with the recovery. Significant increase of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and LH response to GnRH were noted after recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Menstrual resumption was common in FHA undertaking estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). The likelihood of recovery was affected by their BMI before and by amenorrhea but not by the weight gain during therapy. Low serum LH and attenuated LH response to GnRH were the main features of pituitary deficiency in FHA. The menstrual resumption in FHA was accompanied by the recovery of serum LH and the LH response to GnRH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproduction and Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, 419 Fang Xie Road, Shanghai 200011, China.
authors.forename: Z Q
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008598:Menstruation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone