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,…
Introduction Description: Infertility is the inability to conceive or bear a child despite more than 1 year of trying (or after 6 months for women older than 30 years old). Under ordinary circumstances, 80%–90% of normal couples conceive during 1…
Introduction Description: Hyperprolactinemia is the pathologic elevation of serum prolactin levels. The finding of elevated levels of prolactin is nonspecific with respect to the cause, thereby requiring careful clinical evaluation. Prevalence: Uncommon; reports vary from 1% to 30%, depending on…
Introduction Description: Hirsutism refers to increased or excessive hair growth only. It may be idiopathic (hypertrichosis) or caused by androgen-stimulated excessive growth. Hypertrichosis involves increased hair on the extremities and tends to be ethnic, racial, or familial in origin. This…
The Challenge Description: Genetic mutations, especially those that impair the cell’s DNA repair functions, can result in errors of cell growth and differentiation going unchecked. This propensity to malignant transformation may result in an increased risk of developing frank cancer.…
Introduction Description: Gonadal dysgenesis is a developmental abnormality of patients who do not carry the stigmata of Turner syndrome but still have absent menarche because of chromosomal abnormalities. These patients generally are tall (>150 cm), are more normal in appearance,…
Introduction Description: Down syndrome is characterized by physical and mental symptoms that have their origin in the presence of extra genetic material from chromosome 21. This may be because of duplication or translocation errors of genetic material that result in…
The Challenge The challenge is to use advanced reproductive technology to assist couples who have trouble conceiving through normal means. Scope of the Problem: 10%–15% of couples who are infertile require or benefit from assisted reproductive technologies. Objectives of Management:…