No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Female ; Oligomenorrhea ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome*

OBJECTIVE: North Korean women defectors have suffered from anxiety, depression, and somatization after defection. Also they have had many menstrual problems like amenorrhea. This study was done to identify the correlations of anxiety, depression, and somatization to menstrual problems among North Korean woman defectors in South Korea. METHODS: The participants in this study were 126 women from 5 government resettlement centers throughout South Korea. Questionnaires which included State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Center for Epidemiological studies-Depression Scale (CED-S), and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) were used to identify anxiety and somatization. Data were collected between June and September, 2012. RESULTS: The women reported the following problems; amenorrhea (9.5%), hypomenorrhea (13.6%), menorrhagia (19.8%), polymenorrhea (13.5%), oligomenorrhea (4.8%), changes in amount of menstrual discharge (4.0%), and changes in amount of blood clot (9.5%). Anxiety (r=0.20, p=0.002), depression (r=0.25, p=0.005), and Somatization (r=0.35, p<0.001) were correlated with number of menstrual problems. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that mental health services need to be taken into account in interventions for North Korean woman defectors to improve their reproductive health including addressing menstrual problems.
Amenorrhea ; Anxiety* ; Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Menorrhagia ; Menstruation ; Menstruation Disturbances ; Mental Health Services ; Oligomenorrhea ; Reproductive Health

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) or free testosterone (FT) levels and aging. METHODS:One hundred and thirty one women without androgen excess symptoms such as oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea or hirsutism were recruited for measuring serum DHEAS, FT levels by radioimmunoassay. A P-value <0.05 was considered to be significant statistically. RESULTS: The levels of DHEAS were 211.39+/-33.01 microg/dL (twenties, n=10), 127.99+/-11.79 microg/dL (thirties, n=31), 94.30+/-7.49 microg/dL (forties, n=57) and 71.79+/-5.71 microg/dL (over fifties, n=33) respectively (mean+/-SE, P<0.001). The levels of FT were 3.98+/-0.94 pg/ml (twenties, n=10), 3.37+/-0.47 pg/mL (thirties, n=31), 2.68+/-0.30 pg/mL (forties, n=57) and 1.97+/-0.28 pg/mL (fifties, n=33) respectively (mean+/-SE, P=0.030). Mean value declining of DHEAS (r=-0.48865, P<0.0001) was bigger than those of FT (r=-0.29334, P<0.0007). CONCLUSION: Both DHEAS and FT levels decline with age and DHEAS decreases more steeply than FT.
Aging ; Amenorrhea ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Female ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Oligomenorrhea ; Radioimmunoassay ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) or free testosterone (FT) levels and aging. METHODS:One hundred and thirty one women without androgen excess symptoms such as oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea or hirsutism were recruited for measuring serum DHEAS, FT levels by radioimmunoassay. A P-value <0.05 was considered to be significant statistically. RESULTS: The levels of DHEAS were 211.39+/-33.01 microg/dL (twenties, n=10), 127.99+/-11.79 microg/dL (thirties, n=31), 94.30+/-7.49 microg/dL (forties, n=57) and 71.79+/-5.71 microg/dL (over fifties, n=33) respectively (mean+/-SE, P<0.001). The levels of FT were 3.98+/-0.94 pg/ml (twenties, n=10), 3.37+/-0.47 pg/mL (thirties, n=31), 2.68+/-0.30 pg/mL (forties, n=57) and 1.97+/-0.28 pg/mL (fifties, n=33) respectively (mean+/-SE, P=0.030). Mean value declining of DHEAS (r=-0.48865, P<0.0001) was bigger than those of FT (r=-0.29334, P<0.0007). CONCLUSION: Both DHEAS and FT levels decline with age and DHEAS decreases more steeply than FT.
Aging ; Amenorrhea ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Female ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Oligomenorrhea ; Radioimmunoassay ; Testosterone

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by oligomenorrhea, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries. The prevalence of PCOS varies between 6% and 10% depending on the diagnostic criteria and the ethnicity. Diagnosis of PCOS relies on a combination of clinical, biological and ultrasound criteria that are used worldwide in different variations. Few studies have extensively examined reproductive and metabolic characteristics and hyperandrogenism in Korean women. Despite the paucity of these studies, they are critical for ascertaining PCOS diagnostic criteria for this population. This review addresses the epidemiology and diagnostic criteria of PCOS specifically for Korean women.
Diagnosis ; Epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Oligomenorrhea ; Ovary ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Prevalence ; Ultrasonography

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. It consists of a heterogeneous collection of signs and symptoms that together form a disorder spectrum. The diagnosis of PCOS is principally based on clinical and physical findings. The extent of metabolic abnormalities in women with PCOS varies with phenotype, body weight, age, and ethnicity. For general population, the prevalence of hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea decreases with age, while complications such as insulin resistance and other metabolic disturbances increase with age. Obese women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance, and lower luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) ratios than non-obese women with PCOS. The LH to FSH ratio is a valuable diagnostic tool in evaluating Taiwanese women with PCOS, especially in the diagnosis of oligomenorrhea. Overweight/obesity is the major determinant of cardiovascular and metabolic disturbances in women of reproductive age.
Amenorrhea ; Body Weight ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Insulin Resistance ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Obesity ; Oligomenorrhea ; Phenotype ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical features of premature ovarian failure (POF) and patients' compliance with hormonal treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 126 patients diagnosed with POF was selected between January 2004 and December 2007. The clinical, etiologic features and treatment compliance were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of diagnosis was 33.2 +/- 5.2 years. The mean value of follicle stimulating hormone was 78.8 +/- 28.8 IU/L. The most common symptom was amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea (54%). Eighty-eight patients were married and 22 of them visited our clinic due to infertility. The most common etiology was unknown (54.8%) and the second most common cause was iatrogenic (29.4%). Only 61 patients underwent hormonal treatment (48.4%). The remaining 11 patients did not undergo hormonal treatment due to other medical conditions such as breast cancer or liver disease; however, they were followed-up regularly (8.7%). Among the treatment group, only 37 patients were followed-up over a period of 12 months (60.7%). CONCLUSION: About half of the women diagnosed with POF did not accept their own problems and therefore delayed essential treatment. Clinicians should educate the importance of early treatment for preventing degenerative changes.
Amenorrhea ; Breast Neoplasms ; Compliance ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Humans ; Infertility ; Liver ; Oligomenorrhea ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between menarcheal age and anthropometric indices and menstrual irregularity in late adolescent girls in Seoul. METHODS: We surveyed 4,218 fertile adolescent girls between the ages of 16 and 18 years to determine their anthropometric indices and menarcheal age. Measurements were taken from June 2008 to October 2009 at seven girl's high schools in Seoul, Korea. Participants were offered self-report questionnaire as a survey tool that included questions on anthropometric indices (height, weight, waist circumference), menarcheal age, menstrual pattern, frequency of menstruation per year. RESULTS: The participants were categorized into three groups based on menarcheal age: early menarche group (younger than 2 standard deviations [SD]), mid menarche group (within +/-2 SD), late menarche group (older than 2 SD). The mean age of early menarche group was 9.9+/-0.2 years, mid menarche group 12.5+/-0.9 years, late menarche group 15.1+/-0.3 years (P < 0.001). Heights were recorded as 160.4+/-5.2 cm, 161.8+/-4.9 cm, 162.3+/-4.7 cm in early, mid, and late menarche group, respectively (P = 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference significantly were lager in early menarche group than mid and late menarche ones (P < 0.001). The menarcheal age had a positive correlation with height and negative correlations with weight, BMI, waist circumference (P < 0.001). The prevalence of oligomenorrhea was more frequent in late menarche group than early and mid menarche group. CONCLUSION: The menarcheal age have positive relationship with height and inverse relationship with BMI and waist circumference in late adolescent girls in Seoul. Late menarcheal girls are disposed to have menstrual irregularity compared to early menarcheal girls.
Adolescent* ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Menarche* ; Menstruation ; Oligomenorrhea ; Prevalence ; Waist Circumference ; Surveys and Questionnaires

In adult women, hypothyroidism has significant effect on reproduction. Hypothyroidism is associated with oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, anovulation, hypermenorrhea, menorrhagia, infertility, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth or preterm delivery. It can cause ovarian tumor, which clinically resembles ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or multicystic ovarian tumor. We have experienced a case of spontaneously regressed huge ovarian tumor which was found in patient. With hypothyroidism. So we report this case with a brief review of literature.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Adult ; Amenorrhea ; Anovulation ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism* ; Infertility ; Menorrhagia ; Oligomenorrhea ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; Pregnancy ; Reproduction ; Stillbirth

We have investigated endocrine functions of 2 patients with Wilson's disease who showed oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, The serum basal levels of hypothalamic, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal cortical and ovarian hormones were determined. Then stimulation tests were performed with GnRH(50 microgram/m2), TRH(7 microgram/Kg) and insulin(0.l U/Kg) in one intravenous bolus, Levels of LH, FSH, prolactin, GH, TSH, total testosterone, l7 beta-estradiol, free T3, T4, DHEA-S and cortisol were measured by standard radioimmunoassays. The endocrine profiles which represent functions of hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal cortex was all proved to be normal. Serum estradiol and total testosterone levels were 59.0 microgram/ml ( normal ; 60-130 microgram/ml) and 2.9 ng / dl (normal ; 0.l5-1.1 ng/dl) in one case, and 20.5 microgram / ml and 0.69 ng / dl in the other respectiviely. Low estradial and high total testosterone levels seen in these cases suggested ovarian dysfuncton. Interference of ovarian follicular aromatase activity due to passible copper intoxication could explain these findings as the cause of the menstrual irregularity of patients with Wilson's disease.
Adrenal Cortex ; Amenorrhea ; Aromatase ; Copper ; Estradiol ; Female ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypothalamus ; Oligomenorrhea ; Prolactin ; Radioimmunoassay ; Testosterone ; Thyroid Gland