Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2011 Oct;54(10):605-610. 10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.10.605.

The etiological classification of amenorrhea in Korean women

• Kwon SK
• Lee SJ
• Jun EJ
• Lee KH
• Ryu RM
• Kang HJ
• Kim SH
• Chae HD
• Kim CH
• Kang BM

• KMID: 1836746
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.10.605

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the causes of amenorrhea in Korean women.
METHODS
A total of 741 patients with amenorrhea who visited the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asan Medical Center were included in this study between January 1998 and May 2008. Patients were divided into three groups: age 10-20 was defined as group I, age 21-30 was group II and age 31-40 was group III. Amenorrhea was categorized into the primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea.
RESULTS
The number of patients with primary amenorrhea was 89 (12.0%) and secondary amenorrhea was 652 (88.0%). The number of patients with primary amenorrhea was 62 (22.6%) and secondary amenorrhea was 212 (77.4%) in age 10-20 group. In age 21-30 group, the number of primary amenorrhea was 27 (6.5%) and secondary amenorrhea was 389 (93.5%). In age 31-40 group, the number of secondary amenorrhea was 51 (100%). The causes of primary amenorrhea in group I were as follows; Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome (17.7%, 11/62), Turner syndrome (11.3%, 7/62), constitutional delay (9.7%, 6/62). In group II; MRKH syndrome (18.5%, 5/27), Turner syndrome (18.5%, 5/27), and Idopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (14.8%, 4/27). The causes of secondary amenorrhea in group I were as follows; Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS; 60.8%, 129/212), weight related hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (12.3%, 26/212), premature ovarian failure (POF; 9.9%, 21/212). In group II; PCOS (62.5%, 243/389), weight related hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (9.8%, 38/389), POF (9.3%, 36/389). In group III; POF (43.1%, 22/51), PCOS (17.6%, 9/51).
CONCLUSION
The common cause of primary amenorrhea were MRKH syndrome, Turner's syndrome, and the common cause of secondary amenorrhea were PCOS, POF, weight related hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Keyword

Amenorrhea; Causes

MeSH Terms

Abnormalities, Multiple
Amenorrhea
Female
Gynecology
Humans
Hypogonadism
Kidney
Mullerian Ducts
Obstetrics
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
Somites
Spine
Turner Syndrome
Uterus
Vagina
Abnormalities, Multiple
Kidney
Mullerian Ducts
Somites
Spine
Uterus
Vagina

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