Investigation of Female Reproductive Hormone Dynamics During Adolescence
Investigation of Female Reproductive Hormone Dynamics During Adolescence
Irregular menstrual cycles are common in girls for several years after their first menstrual
 period. The cause of abnormal menstrual cycles during this time is not well-understood. The
 purpose of this study is to: 1) monitor girls during a menstrual cycle (with blood and urine
 sampling and serial pelvic ultrasounds) to identify those girls who do not ovulate (release
 of an egg from the ovary), and 2) determine whether cycles can be corrected by treating girls
 with a short course of low-dose estrogen and progesterone.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  no more than 3 ½ years postmenarchal

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Subjects currently on or previously treated with medications that may affect
 reproductive hormones (eg birth control pills).

 -  Subjects with severe acne or hirsutism

 -  Subjects who exercise excessively (running > 20 miles/week or its equivalent)

 -  Subjects with any of the following medical conditions: diabetes, hypertension,
 hyperlipidemia, valvular heart disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine
 headaches with aura, undiagnosed breast mass, inflammatory bowel disease, gallbladder
 disease, sickle cell disease, or thrombophilia.

 -  Current smoker

 -  History of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism in subject or first-degree
 relative