MN 576 UNIT 3 WOMENS HEALTH SEMINAR

UNIT 3 SEMINAR:

•     The purpose of this unit is to evaluate and manage common menstrual cycle abnormalities and to identify when referral is appropriate.

•     After completing this unit, you should be able to:

•     Evaluate and manage patients with common menstrual complaints that often present to a primary care provider. Conditions should include but not limited to: amenorrhea, polymenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, and PMS/PMDD.

•     Recognize when referral is necessary.

MENSTRUAL DISORDERS:

•      PRIMARY DYSMENORRHIA: The occurrence of painful menses usually beginning within several years of menarche; in the absence of any pelvic pathology may occur at anything time during childbearing years.

•      Etiology: Caused by prostaglandins produced in the uterine lining; released into the blood stream as the uterine lining is shed, causing smooth muscle contraction, nausea, and or diarrhea

MENSTRUAL DISORDERS:

•    Secondary Dysmenorrhea: Painful menstruation due to an identifiable pathologic or iatrogenic condition; the cause maybe readily identifiable on the basis of the history and findings on the PE.