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			Concern Treatment Pregnancy Experiences Concern Evaluating Your Fertility Understanding Fertility Maximise Your Fertility Infertility: An Introduction Infertility in Females Impact of Age Ovulatory Classification of Disorders Clinical Features of Disorders Possible Causes of Disorders Lack of Ovulation Irregular Ovulation Polycystic Ovary Disease Inadequate Luteal Phase Prolactin Disorders Anatomical Chromosomal Disorders Other Causes (Idiopathic) Infertility in Males Implications of Infertility Questions to Ask Your Doctor		Lack of Ovulation Amenorrhoea   Amenorrhoea (absence of menses) is by far the most common symptom in patients in whom an ovulatory disorder is responsible for infertility. Amenorrhoea is sub-classified into: Primary amenorrhoea:  14 years of age with no menses and no secondary sex characteristics 16 years of age with no menses, regardless of stage of development  Secondary amenorrhoea: 1 year without menses after menstruation is established   Primary amenorrhoea is most often due to hormone deficiency, while secondary amenorrhoea may be hormonal or may be due to other factors such as polycystic ovary syndrome (see below) or too low a body weight (for example, arising as a result of anorexia nervosa) (see table). Amenorrhoea usually responds very well to hormone treatment, although weight must be increased first if low body weight is a contributory factor.  Cause and incidence of primary and secondary amenorrhoea Primary amenorrhoea Secondary amenorrhoea Premature (primary) failure (premature menopause) 36% Polycystic ovary syndrome 30% Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism 34% Premature ovarian failure 29% Polycystic ovary syndrome 17% Weight-related amenorrhoea 19% Hypohypophysism 4% Hyperprolactinaemia (including prolactinaemia) 14% Hyperprolactinaemia 3% Exercise-related amenorrhoea 2% Weight-related amenorrhoea 2% Hypohypophysism 2% Congenital abnormalities 4% Miscellaneous 4% Oligomenorrhoea sometimes has the same underlying cause as amenorrhoea and may therefore also respond to hormonal treatment.
			© 2003-2008 Merck Serono S.A. -  Geneva.   Please read our Legal Statement. US residents should consult the EMD Serono, Inc. fertility website at www.fertilitylifelines.com Last Updated: 12/15/2008