PRIMARY AMENORRHOEA

[PRIMARY HYPOGONADISM IN FEMALES]

hypogonadotrophic [low LH and FSH]:

hypothalamic:

Kallman's syndrome [+ anosmia]

hypothyroidism [causes low LHRH]

functional:

diet-induced / weight-related amenorrhoea

stress

anorexia nervosa

regular exercise [juvenile athletes]

pituitary:

tumours, eg. craniopharyngioma, prolactinoma

NB: on giving LHRH, no LH / FSH response occurs with pituitary tumours, but there is a rise if the cause is hypothalamic

hypergonadotrophic [increased LH and FSH]:

polycystic ovary syndrome [raised LH / FSH ratio to >2:1; raised testosterone]

Turner's syndrome [45XO karyotype; typical features]

testicular feminisation [= androgen insensitivity; 46XY karyotype]

ovarian dysgenesis [any karyotype]

congenital adrenal hyperplasia [various defects]

primary ovarian failure [? autoimmune]

previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy with damage to ovaries

androgen-secreting ovarian / adrenal tumours [occurring before puberty]

congenital uterovaginal abnormalities:

imperforate hymen / vagina / cervix

absent vagina / Mullerian agenesis

NB: main causes of amenorrhoea with virilisation are:

congenital adrenal hyperplasia (primary amenorrhoea)

androgen-secreting tumours (primary or secondary amenorrhoea)

click here to return to the main contents page of Differential Diagnoses in General Medicine

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1