PATHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS TO EXPLAIN SOME CASES OF AMENORRHOEA WITHOUT ORGANIC DISEASE

Abstract

A test is described to define the site of the lesion causing amenorrhoea in women of child‐bearing age who have normal ovaries and a normal response to luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LH‐RH). Patients able to produce a release of LH following the administration of 1 mg. of oestradiol benzoate (EB) have normal hypothalamic function and thus the site of the defect must lie more centrally in the brain. Patients unable to show these LH surges have either a primary or econdary abnormality affecting their hypothalamic oestrogen “receptor” mechanism or their ability to produce LH‐RH.