Evaluation of Menstrual Disorders

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History Taking - Symptom Sleuth Secrets

  • Menstrual Profile (LMP: dd/mm/yy):
    • Menarche age. Cycle: interval (21-35 days), regularity.
    • Flow: duration (2-7 days), volume (pads/clots; >80mL or >7 days = HMB).
    • Associated: Dysmenorrhea, Intermenstrual Bleeding (IMB), Postcoital Bleeding (PCB), PMS/PMDD.
  • Focused Inquiry:
    • OB Hx: GPAL (Gravida, Para, Abortions, Living children), delivery details.
    • Gynae Hx: Past issues, STIs, contraception (type, duration), Pap smear hx.
    • Medical Hx: Thyroid disorders, PCOS (hirsutism, acne), bleeding disorders (e.g., von Willebrand), Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
    • Medications: Hormones, anticoagulants, antipsychotics.
    • Family Hx: Gynae cancers, coagulopathies.

⭐ Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB: any vaginal bleeding >1 year after cessation of menses) mandates urgent evaluation to rule out endometrial cancer.

Physical Examination - Clinical Clue Collection

  • General Examination:
    • BMI: ↑ in PCOS, ↓ in hypothalamic amenorrhea.
    • Vital signs: Orthostatic hypotension (severe blood loss).
    • Thyroid: Goiter, thyromegaly (thyroid dysfunction).
    • Skin: Hirsutism, acne, acanthosis nigricans (PCOS, hyperandrogenism); pallor (anemia); striae, bruising (Cushing's).
    • Breasts: Galactorrhea (hyperprolactinemia).
  • Pelvic Examination (Bimanual & Speculum):
    • External genitalia: Clitoromegaly (hyperandrogenism).
    • Vagina & Cervix: Atrophy, lesions, discharge, cervical motion tenderness (PID).
    • Uterus: Size, shape, mobility, tenderness (fibroids, adenomyosis, pregnancy).
    • Adnexa: Masses, tenderness (ovarian cysts, tumors, ectopic pregnancy).

PCOS symptoms and associated conditions

⭐ Acanthosis nigricans is a common skin finding in PCOS, indicating insulin resistance; often seen on the neck and axillae.

  • Systemic Signs:
    • Visual field defects (pituitary tumor).

Investigations - Lab & Lens Logic

  • Core Labs (Guided by History & Exam):
    • β-hCG: Crucial first step to exclude pregnancy.
    • CBC: Assess anemia in Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB).
    • TSH, Prolactin: Screen for common endocrine causes.
    • Targeted Hormones: FSH, LH, Estradiol, Progesterone, Androgens (as clinically indicated).
    • Coagulation screen (PT, aPTT, vWF): For HMB or suspected bleeding disorders.
  • Imaging ("The Lens"):
    • Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVS): Initial imaging for structural issues (fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis). Measures Endometrial Thickness (ET).
      • Postmenopausal ET >4-5mm with bleeding needs biopsy.
    • Saline Infusion Sonohysterography (SIS): Enhanced view of endometrial cavity.
    • Hysteroscopy: Gold standard for direct visualization, biopsy, and treating intrauterine lesions.
    • MRI: Problem-solving for complex cases, or deep infiltrating endometriosis.

⭐ In AUB, TVS is the initial imaging of choice to assess for structural abnormalities like fibroids or polyps.

TVUS evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB)

Classification (PALM-COEIN) - Disorder Decoder Ring

PALM-COEIN: FIGO's system for classifying causes of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) in non-pregnant women. Helps systematic evaluation.

📌 PALM-COEIN: "Palm" for structural, "Coin" for non-structural.

  • PALM (Structural Causes):
    • Polyp (Endometrial/Cervical)
    • Adenomyosis
    • Leiomyoma (Fibroid)
      • Submucosal (AUB-LSM)
      • Other (AUB-LO)
    • Malignancy & Hyperplasia
  • COEIN (Non-structural Causes):
    • Coagulopathy (e.g., von Willebrand disease)
    • Ovulatory dysfunction (e.g., PCOS, thyroid disorders)
    • Endometrial causes (e.g., infection, inflammation)
    • Iatrogenic (e.g., IUDs, anticoagulants, hormonal contraception)
    • Not Yet Classified (Rare causes or unknown)

PALM-COEIN classification of abnormal uterine bleeding

⭐ Ovulatory dysfunction (AUB-O) is the most common cause of AUB in adolescents.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Thorough history (menstrual pattern, LMP, symptoms) is key.
  • Pelvic examination (bimanual, speculum) detects structural issues.
  • Initial labs: CBC, TSH, β-hCG are essential first-line tests.
  • Transvaginal sonography (TVS) is primary imaging for uterine/ovarian pathology.
  • Endometrial biopsy if AUB in women >45 yrs or with cancer risk factors.
  • Hormonal assays (FSH, LH, prolactin) for ovulatory dysfunction or endocrinopathy.
  • Consider coagulation screen for HMB in adolescents, especially from menarche.
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Patients with coagulation defects have problems with heavy periods from the time of _____

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Patients with coagulation defects have problems with heavy periods from the time of _____

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