Infertility and amenorrhoea following abortions.

Of 410 cases of spontaneous or induced abortion in the first or second trimester that were followed up, 95 were infertile. 18 of these had amenorrhea and 12 had oligomenorrhea. Amenorrhea and oligorrhea were more prevalent among the women who were over 31. Amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, and infertility were more frequent after spontaneous than after induced abortion. Asymptomatic tubal block resulting from reflux of blood from the uterus into the fallopian tube after spontaneous abortion could have been responsible in a number of other cases. Definite causal link with abortion could not be established in any of the other cases of infertility without amenorrhea or oligorrhea. Amenorrhea following abortion was most often due to an endocrinal or mechanical defect (often uterine synechiae). Partial pituitary necrosis, premature ovarian failure, and endometrial tuberculosis were other postabortal causes of amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea.