Menstrual Disorders: Comprehensive Overview and Diagnostic Approaches
January 2013
in “
Pediatrics in review
”
polycystic ovary syndrome insulin resistance metabolic disorders amenorrhea hormone level testing imaging hormonal therapies combined oral contraceptive pills progestin-eluting intrauterine devices non-hormonal options antifibrinolytics primary dysmenorrhea secondary dysmenorrhea NSAIDs endometriosis PCOS OCPs IUDs non-hormonal treatments
TLDR The document says menstruation is important for women's health, discusses menstrual disorders, and suggests personalized treatment options.
The 2013 document provides a comprehensive overview of menstrual disorders, highlighting the significance of menstruation as a vital sign in women's health. It outlines the median age of menarche in the U.S. at 12.4 years and discusses conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects up to 10% of American women of reproductive age and is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of metabolic disorders. The document details diagnostic approaches for amenorrhea, including hormone level testing and imaging, and treatment options ranging from hormonal therapies like combined oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) and progestin-eluting intrauterine devices (IUDs) to non-hormonal options like antifibrinolytics. It also differentiates between primary and secondary dysmenorrhea, recommending NSAIDs for the former and suggesting endometriosis as a possible cause for persistent pain. The importance of individualized care for adolescents with special health-care needs is emphasized, considering the risks and benefits of various treatments.