Patient's question:
My friend is 41 years old and doesn't want children anymore. She has had an IUD inserted and hasn't had her period for the past two months. She had two ultrasounds, both of which were normal. The doctor prescribed progesterone for three days, but she still hasn't had her period. Could my friend have hypothalamic-pituitary amenorrhea?Doctor's answer:
Hypothetical inflammation or functional endocrine disorders of the pituitary gland can interfere with the secretion of gonadotropins, leading to amenorrhea in the ovaries. Pituitary damage-induced functional loss: If the pituitary is damaged, such as through inflammation, reflexes, or surgery, it can destroy pituitary tissue, causing it to lose partial or complete function. This is more common during severe bleeding, especially postpartum hemorrhage with shock, which can cause the hypothalamus to experience impaired blood supply due to early pregnancy and fibrotic enlargement, leading to cerebral edema and suppuration.