OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effects of hypnotherapy on resumption of menstruation in patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA).

DESIGN:

Uncontrolled clinical study.

SETTING:

Academic clinical care center.

PATIENT(S):

Twelve consecutive women with FHA were selected.

INTERVENTION(S):

A single 45- to 70-minute session of hypnotherapy was administered, and patients were observed for 12 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):

Patients were asked whether or not menstruation resumed and whether or not well-being and self-confidence changed.

RESULT(S):

Within 12 weeks, 9 out of 12 patients (75%) resumed menstruation. All of the patients, including those who did not menstruate, reported several beneficial side effects such as increased general well-being and increased self-confidence.

CONCLUSION(S):

Hypnotherapy could be an efficacious and time-saving treatment option that also avoids the pitfalls of pharmacological modalities for women with FHA.