MENSTRUAL DISORDERS IN YOUNG GIRLS - PROG NOSIS FOR FUTURE FERTILITY

Menstrual disorders in adolescents should be investigated promptly to avoid or alleviate possible long-term sequelae, including impaired fer tility. Patients with uterine amenorrhea cannot become pregnant. The p rognosis for later fertility in patients with oligoamenorrheas depends on the pathogenesis and degree of the condition. Hypothalamic oligoam enorrheas generally resolve when the offending stimuli are removed, an d the prognosis for future fertility is good. In patients with pituita ry lesions, even those with complete loss of pituitary function, pregn ancies can be achieved and maintained with exogenous gonadotropins. Me nstrual disorders due to hyperprolactinemia can be treated effectively . Hyperandrogenemic oligoamenorrheas, especially the polycystic ovary syndrome, are common. Future fertility has been improved with preventi ve measures in adolescence and later interventions. Patients with prim ary ovarian insufficiency and persisting hypergonadotropic amenorrhea have a poor prognosis. A new aspect is the restitution of ovarian func tion after treatments for malignant diseases.