Quality of Life in Amenorrhea and Oligomenorrhea

Abstract

Oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea are common forms of menstrual dysfunction that occurs in reproductive age group women. The clinical implications of such menstrual disturbance will depend on the specific diagnosis and on the presence or absence of associated problems, such as infertility or other hormonal or metabolic disturbances. Little attention has been paid in the past to the psychological impact of these symptoms and their effect on the women’s perceived quality of life (QOL). Current available literature on the QOL associated with amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea has largely focused on specific conditions such as Turner syndrome , premature ovarian failure , or polycystic ovarian syndrome , while many other common and uncommon conditions have not yet been evaluated in detail. In addition, disease specific questionnaires have only been validated for conditions such as polycystic ovarian disease and eating disorders, but not for menstrual dysfunction in general, so that most studies have relied on generic survey tools such as the SF-36. The current available literature showed that oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea resulting from various conditions does have demonstrable negative effects on the perceived QOL of affected women. Such negative effects are most significant in women with associated infertility, metabolic disturbances such as obesity and hyperandrogenism and other medical problems. In women with relatively mild degree of menstrual disturbance with oligomenorrhea, the impact on quality of life largely depends on their interpretation and acceptance of the symptoms.