Future recovery of the normal menstrual cycle in adolescent patients with secondary amenorrhea

We attempted to determine the future recovery rate of normal menstrual cycles in adolescents with secondary amenorrhea. We also attempted to determine the difference in recovery rate between patients with and without etiological factors for amenorrhea, and between those with first- and second-degree secondary amenorrhea.

We conducted questionnaire-based analysis of 35 patients with adolescent secondary amenorrhea. When the patients were over 20 years old, we obtained information as to the present menstruation status and the history of pregnancy.

Seventy-four percent of patients recovered their normal menstrual cycles after the age of 20. The recovery rate was significantly higher in patients with etiological factors (93%) than in those without (60%: P = 0.02). There was a trend towards a higher recovery rate in those with second-degree compared with first-degree amenorrhea, but this was not statistically significant.

Three-quarters of adolescent patients with secondary amenorrhea recovered their normal menstrual cycles. The initial presence of etiological factors for amenorrhea raised the recovery rate. This data provides useful prognostic information for health providers taking care of adolescents with secondary amenorrhea.