Endocrine Abstracts

Purpose of the study was to assess the condition of reproductive system in females with ‘empty sella’ syndrome (ESS).

Material and methods: Of 159 females with ESS, mean age 37.6±0.93 years, of them 65 with primary ESS, 42 with secondary ESS, 47 with forming ESS were studied. The diagnosis of ESS was established by MRI findings. Obstetrical and gynecological anamnesis, hormonal background were investigated.

Results: Disorders of menstrual cycle were observed in 40 females (26%), of them in 19 (47.5%) as secondary amenorrhea, in 21 (52.5%) as oligomenorrhea. In 25% of females lactorrhea was noted, of them in 43.5% with menstrual cycle disorders, in 56.5% without them. Fifty-two females, 56.5%, had no complaints about menstrual dysfunction. In 23 (15%) hypergonatropic amenorrhea. Thirteen females applied for primary infertility with concurrent ESS. Secondary amenorrhea in all forms of ESS was due to a decrease of FSH and estradiol, increase of LH and progesterone levels. Increase of a TTH level was also characteristic. Oligomenorrhea in primary ESS was associated with higher values of LH and progesterone, while in secondary and forming ESS with decreased levels of FSH and estradiol.

Conclusions: The most frequent menstrual disorder in females with ESS was amenorrhea with decreased levels of FSH and estradiol. Increase of TTH level was noted in all three forms of ESS.