Recovery of Ovulatory Menstrual Cycles under Hydrocortisone in Two Amenorrheic Women with Isolated Corticotropin Deficiency

Abstract

Two anemorrheic women presenting clinical signs of adrenal insufficiency were shown to have isolated corticotropin deficiency (ICD). LH and FSH were normally responsive to GnRH. The occurrence of this disease during the postpartum and the presence of autoantibodies against corticotropic cells in one case may indicate that ICD was a sequela of an autoimmune hypophysitis. The presence of amenorrhea, while the gonadotroph was not damaged, and the reappearance of ovulatory menstrual cycles under the sole effect of hydrocortisone replacement therapy suggest that cortisol deficiency may by itself alter the gonadal function.