Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: Characterization of Metabolic Status, Brain Circuitry, and Stress-reactivity
Inclusion Criteria:
- Inclusion criteria for participation are a gynecological age (age since menarche) > 5
and < 25 years, and chronological age > 18 years, within 90-110% of ideal body weight
as determined by the 1983 Metropolitan height and weight table for women, and
exercise < 10 h/wk and run < 10 mi/wk, day-awake/night-asleep schedule.
- Women in the FHA and PCOS groups have to fulfill the diagnostic criteria of FHA or
PCOS and to have all other causes of amenorrhea and anovulation excluded.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Exclusion criteria are smoking, medications, including psychotropic or illicit drugs,
medical, neurological, or ophthalmologic disease except acuity problems, a weight
loss or gain of > 10 lb within a year preceding or since the onset of amenorrhea, a
major Axis I disorder other than depression, parturition in the last 12 months and/or
lactating in the last 6 months.