Introduction Description: Virilization refers to the loss of female sexual characteristics such as body contour and the acquisition of masculine qualities such as increased muscle mass, temporal balding, deepening of the voice, and clitoromegaly. Prevalence: Uncommon. Predominant Age: Reproductive age.…
Introduction Description: Vaginal agenesis is the congenital absence of the vagina, most often associated with an absence of the uterus (Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser [MRKH] syndrome). Of these women, 7%–10% have functional endometrium within a uterus that is obstructed, a rudimentary uterine horn,…
Introduction Description: Uterine agenesis is the failure of the Müllerian system to fuse in the midline to form the uterus. Incomplete variations of this failure result in a didelphic, bicornuate, septate, or arcuate uterus. It is also known as Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser…
Introduction Description: Caused as a result of the absence of one X chromosome, Turner syndrome (described in 1938 by Oklahoma physician Henry H. Turner) is a collection of stigmata that includes edema of the hands and feet, webbing of the…
Introduction Description: Sheehan syndrome (named for Harold Leeming Sheehan, who characterized the syndrome ) is characterized by the loss of pituitary function, resulting from damage or necrosis that occurs through anoxia, thrombosis, or hemorrhage. When associated with pregnancy, it is…
Introduction Description: Structural abnormalities present at birth may make the assigning of an appropriate sex of rearing (gender) difficult or impossible (sexual ambiguity). The evaluation of these infants represents both a social and medical emergency because causative life-threatening conditions may…
Introduction Description: When a woman has had two consecutive or three total first-trimester spontaneous pregnancy losses, it is considered recurrent abortion. Prevalence: 0.4%–1% of women meet the criteria for recurrence, although 15% of clinically recognized pregnancies have sporadic loss (20%–60%…
Introduction Description: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) consists of amenorrhea, hirsutism, insulin resistance, and obesity in association with enlarged, multicystic ovaries. Prevalence: 5%–10% of women; 30% of secondary amenorrhea. The most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. Predominant Age:…
The Challenge The challenge is to evaluate patients who experience the normal events of puberty earlier than expected and to provide reassurance with appropriate or timely diagnosis and intervention when more sinister processes are at work. Precocious puberty is estimated…
Introduction Description: Menopause is an endocrinopathy that is caused by the loss of normal ovarian steroidogenesis because of age, chemotherapy, radiation, or surgical therapy. An endocrinopathy is the loss of an endocrine function with adverse health consequences. For most women,…