Epidemiology of secondary amenorrhea. II. A retrospective evaluation of etiology with special regard to psychogenic factors and weight loss
Fries, H.; Nillius, S.J.; Pettersson, F.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 118(4): 473-479
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9378 PMID: 4812568 Document Number: 80811
A random sample of 41 women aged 18 to 35 years with secondary amenorrhea within Uppsala County, Sweden, were compared to 82 age-matched nonamenorrheic women with respect to a number of background variables of etiological interest, especially psychogenic factors and weight loss. Social-hygiene factors and gynecologic data were also considered. The study was retrospective and performed by a postal inquiry. In the amenorrheic group significant differences were obtained (p less than .05) for the following items: a higher proportion of unmarried women and women with intellectual occupations; a higher proportion with a greater incidence of stressful life events; more consumption of sedatives or hypnotic drugs; and more underweight. Previous menstrual irregularity was also more common. Amenorrhea following use of oral contraceptive agents was reported by 9 women, most of whom also showed pronounced underweight. Symptoms characteristic of anorexia were present in 2 amenorrheic women. There may have been others among those reporting marked underweight. The estimated prevalence of anorexia nervosa is 1 per 1000. The findings may be interpreted as either a true increase in incidence of the disorder or perhaps the method of investigation.