Idiopathic premature ovarian failure. A clinical and biochemical study.

Thirty-five black patients with premature ovarian failure were studied. All had normal female karyotypes. Vasomotor symptoms were present in 62% of patients and 60% experienced dyspareunia. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were raised and circulating oestradiol levels were low in all patients. Ten patients consented to provocative challenge with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH). After testing, FSH and LH levels were exaggerated in all 10 patients. During TRH administration, thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were within normal limits in 5 patients, elevated in 4 and low in 1. Prolactin responses were raised in 1 patient, subnormal in 1 and within the reference range in 8.