The amenorrhoea-galactorrhea syndrome: present diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives

Acta Eur Fertil. 1975 Dec;6(4):331-8.
[Article in English, Italian]

Abstract

Recent progress in the field of radioimmunology, especially as regards prolactin (PRL) assay, as well as the use of new drugs have opened new perspectives for a better understanding of the "amenorrhoea-galactorrhea syndrome" both from the diagnostic and therapeutic points of view. This syndrome which formerly was considered infrequent, is now observed more and more often, perhaps as a result of the more widespread use of drugs such as phenothiazines, reserpine derivatives, alpha-methyldopa and tricyclic antidepressants, as well as owing to the large-scale use of estrogens and above all of estrogen-progestogen contraceptives. The problems of etiopathogenesis and management of the amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome are complicated by the fact that a variety of factors are responsible, as is shown also by the classical nosographic classification with the Forbes-Albright syndrome in the presence of a pituitary tumour, the Chiari-Frommel syndrome of amenorrhea-galactorrhea following pregnancy, and the Argonz-del Castillo-Ahumada syndrome in the absence of lither pregnancy or tumor.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amenorrhea / diagnosis*
  • Amenorrhea / drug therapy
  • Amenorrhea / etiology
  • Ergolines / analogs & derivatives
  • Ergolines / therapeutic use
  • Estradiol / analysis
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / analysis
  • Galactorrhea / diagnosis*
  • Galactorrhea / drug therapy
  • Galactorrhea / etiology
  • Humans
  • Lactation Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Luteinizing Hormone / analysis
  • Pituitary Hormone Release Inhibiting Hormones / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Progesterone / analysis
  • Prolactin / analysis
  • Prolactin / metabolism
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Ergolines
  • Pituitary Hormone Release Inhibiting Hormones
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol
  • Prolactin
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone