Subsequent menstrual disorder after spontaneous menarche in Turner syndrome

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a congenital disease characterized by delayed puberty, ovarian dysgenesis and short stature. Although most patients are diagnosed with primary amenorrhea, approximately 15-20% of patients with TS are reported to have spontaneous menarche. However, little is known about their menstruation status after spontaneous menarche. In the current study, we investigated the menstrual abnormalities after spontaneous menarche in TS patients.

Design: Retrospective study.

Patients: This study included TS patients with spontaneous menarche at Osaka Police Hospital or Komura Women's Clinic between April 2015 and December 2019.

Measurements: Data regarding the age of menarche, menstruation status and chromosomal karyotype were collected and retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Of 172 TS patients, 32 with spontaneous menarche were identified. The median age of menarche was 12 years old. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) after menarche was observed in 12 patients (37.5%) and the median age at menopause was 20 years old. The average period from spontaneous menarche to menopause in these patients was 5.1 years. Five patients (15.6%) had irregular menstruation and 15 (46.9%) had regular menstruation. When examined according to the structural abnormality of the X chromosome, all patients with structural abnormality of the X chromosome were diagnosed with POI after spontaneous menarche, and none with mosaic without structural abnormality were diagnosed with POI.

Conclusion: Approximately one-third of TS patients with spontaneous menarche were diagnosed with POI after menarche for an average of 5.1 years. Counseling is required for TS patients and their parents, including information about menstrual abnormalities or fertility preservation.