The etiology of some menstrual disorders: A gynecological and psychiatric issue

Helen Sheinfeld, Michael Gal, Michael E. Bunzel, Tali Vishne

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Some menstrual disorders with distinct gynecological character such as amenorrhea or menometrorrhagia (MMR) may have psychogenic etiology. On the other hand, in menstrual psychosis (MP), a distinctly psychiatric disorder, the etiology is not necessarily psychogenic, but rather is hormonal-biological. We present 4 cases, one each of primary and secondary amenorrhea, MMR, and MP, respectively. In the first 3 cases (2 amenorrhea and 1 MMR), we found psychogenic factors: an insult to feminine development after rape (case 1) or marriage problems (cases 2 and 3). In the case of a recurrent MP, no relevant psychological etiology was found. Furthermore, some of the patient's relatives had menstrual or peripartum psychiatric disorders. Menstrual disorders' etiology can be psychogenic or hormonal. The correct etiology is the guide for the adequate therapeutic way: psychotherapy based in psychogenic disorders and neuroleptic or antiovulatory drugs in those of biological etiology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)817-827
Number of pages11
JournalHealth Care for Women International
Volume28
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2007
Externally publishedYes

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