Menstrual Disorders: Comprehensive Overview and Diagnostic Approaches

January 2013 in “ Pediatrics in review ”

Susan H. Gray

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

Studysummary This review discusses the onset of menstruation and related challenges in young women, with a focus on primary amenorrhea, its diagnosis, and management strategies, and reports no new clinical findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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.

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Research cited in this study

2 / 2 results

Criteria for Defining Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Predominantly Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: An Androgen Excess Society Guideline

research Criteria for Defining Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Predominantly Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: An Androgen Excess Society Guideline

1744 citations , August 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This review discusses definitions of polycystic ovary syndrome and reports no new clinical results; the authors support using modified 1990 NIH criteria and acknowledge ongoing evolution as research advances.

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

4025 citations , December 2003 in “Human Reproduction”

This review discusses the evolution of diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome and emphasizes its association with various metabolic and cardiovascular risks, but it provides no new research findings.