Sex hormone profiles in oligomenorrheic adolescent girls and the effect of oral contraceptives
Siegberg, R.; Nilsson, C.G.; Stenman, U.H.; Widholm, O.
Fertility and Sterility 41(6): 888-893
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-0282 PMID: 6233177 DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)47903-3Document Number: 403964
The hormonal profiles and effect of oral contraceptives (OCs) on 16 oligomenorrheic and 10 regularly menstruating adolescent girls were studies. Testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, and sex hormone binding globulin were determined on blood samples obtained during a control cycle, during OC treatment, and during the follow-up cycle after OC discontinuation. The oligomenorrheic girls had significantly higher concentrations of androstenedione and total and free testosterone than regularly menstruating girls during the control cycle. Sex hormone binding globulin concentrations were significantly lower in the oligomenorrheic group. Both inoligomenorrheic and regularly menstruating girls, OC treatment caused a decrease in the mean concentrations of all hormones, except prolactin, to similar levels. For 2-4 weeks after treatment, the oligomenorrheic girls had significantly lower levels of androstenedion, total and free testosterone, and luteinizing hormone than before treatment. In the control group, there were no significant differences between pretreatment and posttreatment hormone concentrations. The risks and benefits of prescribing OCs for oligomenorrheic adolescent girls are discussed.