Secondary amenorrhea. A protocol for pinpointing the underlying cause
Malo, J.W.; Bezdicek, B.J.
Postgraduate Medicine 79(3): 86-95
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-5481 PMID: 3080744 Document Number: 284977
Secondary amenorrhea presents the primary care physician with a diagnostic challenge because of the many disorders that can cause it. Thus, its evaluation warrants a systematic approach to avoid unnecessary and expensive diagnostic procedures. By using the step-by-step protocol outlined in this article, the clinician can isolate the dysfunctional compartment--outflow tract, ovary, anterior pituitary, CNS, or hypothalamus--and then pursue a more specific workup to pinpoint the cause. Treatment depends on the patient's desire for pregnancy, and the need for long-term follow-up is dictated by the specific diagnosis.