Ekkehard Kemmann

Prevalence of oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea in a college population

Menstrual disorders in college students have been reported as higher than in the general population. Several reasons, among them calorie-restricted diets, strenuous exercise, and college-related stress, have been attributed to this increased prevalence. During the period November, 1979, to January, 1980, 991 of 1,420 college students completed questionnaires which inquired about their menstrual history. The prevalence of oligomenorrhea in this group was 11.3% and that of amenorrhea was 2.6%. Significant factors associated with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea in this group were weight loss (greater than 20 pounds) and jogging. In most women with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, menstrual irregularity was present prior to college entry. With the use of self-administered questionnaires, we could not identify any specific college stress to account for the presence of menstrual abnormalities in a college population.

Sexual expression and its determinants in the post-menopausal woman.

Anatomic, hormonal, psychosocial and psychosexual variables of sexual expression were evaluated in 69 non-patient post-menopausal women. Subjects received a 2-h individually administered interview, a gynecologic examination with subjective scoring of vaginal atrophy, and serum determinations of estrone, estradiol, and androstenedione, testosterone, FSH and LH. Sexual repertoire of the 34 coitally active (coitus greater than 3 X monthly) was compared to the 29 coitally inactive (coitus less than 10 X yearly) subjects. The majority of subjects engaged in traditional sexual activities, with emphasis on physical affection and coitus. The active and inactive women were similar on all demographic variables except family income and weight/height ratio. The inactive women were slightly more obese and had lower incomes. Post-menopausal patterns of sexual activity correlated with post-menopausal sexual expression as did partner availability and function. The active women had a significantly higher LH level. No correlation was found between current or ideal sexual frequency and androgen or estrogen levels.

Exogenous gonadotropin requirements are increased in leuprolide suppressed women undergoing ovarian stimulation

We used a subcutaneously administered GnRHa for 21 to 26 days prior to menotropin stimulation, to suppress endogenous LH surges in four patients participating in IVF. GnRHa-pretreated cycles were compared with previous menotropin treatment cycles. Endogenous LH surges were successfully suppressed in all patients. Peak E2 levels and ultrasonographic parameters of follicular development were comparable in the two treatment groups. Exogenous gonadotropin requirements were increased 2- to 4-fold in GnRHa pretreated cycles (P less than 0.05). Ovum recovery rates were not improved by adjuvant LA. These studies indicate that there was an increased ovarian requirement for exogenous gonadotropins as a result of GnRHa therapy. It has to be considered that this may be a direct effect of GnRHa upon the ovary. Alternatively, the absence of endogenous pituitary support in GnRHa-treated patients may account for the increased gonadotropin requirement. Finally, it is possible that this effect is indigenous to this select patient population of poor responders to menotropin stimulation, or to a specific effect of subcutaneously (as opposed to intranasally) administered GnRHa on the ovary. Further studies are needed to clarify the extent to which any or all of these postulated mechanisms may be influencing ovarian response to exogenous gonadotropins after subcutaneous GnRHa pretreatment.

The menopausal hot flush symptom reports and concomitant physiological changes

Hot flushes are the most frequently reported menopausal symptom. The primary study goal was to develop criteria for the identification of hot flushes that ultimately could be applied independent of symptom report. Twenty-one postmenopausal women each underwent psychophysiological monitoring. Physiological activity accompanying their 93 subjective flush reports was compared with activity during nonflush periods, and a discriminant function analysis was carried out. The Physiological Flush Profile (PFP), developed on the basis of these analyses, consists of peripheral vasodilation plus an increase in skin conductance (sternal and/or palmar), both of a specified magnitude. The PFP was shown to be both a specific and a sensitive measure of hot flushes. Notably, change in sternal skin conductance was highly positively correlated with subjective flush severity ratings. Potential applications of the PFP toward delineating the role of psychological factors in the reporting of menopausal symptomatology are discussed.

Can we predict patients at risk for persistent ectopic pregnancy after laparoscopic salpingotomy

To identify factors that may predict patients at increased risk for persistent ectopic pregnancy after linear salpingotomy, we analyzed demographic, surgical, and biochemical variables retrospectively in 60 women who underwent laparoscopic linear salpingotomy, and compared data in those who developed persistent ectopic pregnancy (study group) versus those who were cured (controls). The two groups were similar with respect to demographic features and surgical findings. They did not differ significantly in gestational age and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels at time of surgery. There was, however, a significant difference in hCG dynamics when the average daily increase in the week before surgery was analyzed. Eleven (18%) women developed persistent ectopic pregnancy. The disorder did not occur in those whose hCG levels were flat or declining, whereas patients whose levels increased more than 40% per day had a significantly greater risk. In addition, at surgery, tubal bleeding was significantly more common in study patients than in controls (55 vs 9%, p <0.001). We conclude that hCG dynamics in the week before salpingotomy, and bleeding activity at surgery may identify patients who are the most likely candidates for persistent ectopic pregnancy.

Vulvar edema as a complication of laparoscopic surgery.

Vulvar edema occurred in three women within 24 hours after operative laparoscopy. In addition to local swelling and discomfort, inability to void was a common complaint. All three patients were treated with Foley catheter urinary drainage, local application of ice packs, and bedrest for 1 to 2 days with spontaneous resolution of the edema. We conclude that vulvar edema is a possible complication of endoscopy. Although it may require hospitalization because of inability to void, the condition is self-limited.

Oral contraceptive exposure of amenorrheic women with and without prolactinomas

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of oral contraceptive (OC) exposure of women with secondary amenorrhea of hypothalamic‐pituitary etiology. In 93 of 126 women with secondary amenorrhea sufficient data were obtained regarding menstrual history and OC exposure: 26 patients had evidence of a prolactinoma, an additional 26 patients had idiopathic hyperprolactinemia without evidence of a pituitary tumor, and 41 had “pure” dysfunction hypothalamicpituitary amenorrhea. After stratification by age at diagnosis and parity the estimated odds ratio for past oral contraceptive usage showed no differences among the three groups (odds ratios between 0.74 and 1.48). Using the chisquare test the proportion of subjects who had regular menses before oral contraceptive intake and developed anovulation immediately after discontinuance (“post pill amenorrhea”) in the three groups also showed no difference (χ2 = 0.60, P = 0.74). These data indicate that non‐ovulatory patients are likely to have been exposed to OC, and do not indicate that patients with prolactinomas differ in the extent of their OC exposure from other specified groups of patients with secondary amenorrhea.

Estrogenization in Women with Postmenopausal Ovarian Hyperthecosis

The cases of two women who show postmenopausal bleeding and signs of endogenous estrogen production are presented. At laparotomy, ovarian hyperthecosis was found and confirmed histologically. Determination of 17β‐estradiol concentrations in ovarian and peripheral veins suggested that these ovaries actively secreted excessive estrogens. Ovarian hyperthecosis is discussed as a cause of renewed endogenous estrogen activity in the postmenopausal woman.

Carpal tunnel syndrome associated with danazol therapy

The carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition characterired by symptoms and signs of median nerve compression at the wrist. As a result there may be paresthesia, sensory impairment, and eventually muscular atrophy in the hand area supplied by the median nerve. Positive Tinel’s sign (distal tingling on percussion of the wrist) may be noted; also, on flexion of the hand paresthesia may be described (Phalen’s sign). Causes include occupational hazard, amyloidosis, or thickening of connective tissue as a result of a number of conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and acromegaly. The gynecologist-obstetrician may see apparently transient carpal tunnel syndrome in association with pregnancy, estrogen-progestin medication, or highdose progestin medication.’ We recently encountered a patient with endometriosis who developed transient carpal tunnel syndrome which started while she received danazol therapy (Danocrine, Winthrop Laboratories, New York).

A prospective study on the lack of development of antisperm antibodies in women undergoing intrauterine insemination

To test the hypothesis that intrauterine insemination with washed spermatozoa induces antisperm antibody formation, we measured serum antisperm antibody levels by the Immunobead technique in a population of women receiving exogenous gonadotropins. Antibody levels were measured before therapy (baseline) and then serially during subsequent stimulation cycles, for a maximum of six cycles. Twenty-eight patients underwent intrauterine insemination; each patient served as her own control. An additional 25 patients were treated with exogenous gonadotropins but did not undergo intrauterine insemination; they served as external controls. Antisperm antibody levels in women who underwent concomitant intrauterine insemination were compared with levels in those who did not. Of the 53 enrolled patients, 18 completed six treatment cycles, and 35 achieved pregnancy before six cycles. Forty-five patients (85%) had less than 10% Immunobead binding, six (11%) had binding between 10% and 25% (mean 16%, range 14% to 20%), and two had binding greater than 25% (28% and 42%, respectively). Mean binding was similar (less than 10%) in the intrauterine insemination and external control groups. Eighteen patients conceived in the intrauterine insemination group and seventeen in the control group. Of patients who conceived, all but one had less than 10% Immunobead binding at the time of conception (mean 1.6 months). In patients who did not conceive, there was no difference in Immunobead binding between control and intrauterine insemination groups after 6 months of therapy. Our data do not support the hypothesis that serum antisperm antibody levels, as detected by Immunobead binding, will increase in menotropin-stimulated women undergoing intrauterine insemination over a prolonged treatment period.