The Role of the General Practitioner in Evaluation and Treatment of Girls with Menstrual-Related Complaints

Pediatr Ann. 2019 May 1;48(5):e187-e189. doi: 10.3928/19382359-20190425-01.

Abstract

A common scenario a pediatrician or general practitioner may encounter in the care of adolescent girls is menstrual concerns. A frequent complaint may be of irregular periods that may be coming twice a month or possibly only every other month. Sometimes the teenage patient may complain of heavy bleeding or prolonged periods lasting longer than 7 days. The typical patient with this complaint could be a 14-year-old girl with periods that started at age 13 years who has had no periods for 3 months after onset of menarche. However, once the second period comes, the patient complains of periods happening often, lasting for 5 days, and with the need to change feminine products about 3 times per day. She is otherwise healthy with no medical issues and no surgeries. The family may question if this is considered normal or if something is potentially wrong with the adolescent's pubertal development. [Pediatr Ann. 2019;48(5):e187-e189.].

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Female
  • General Practitioners*
  • Humans
  • Menstruation / physiology
  • Menstruation Disturbances / diagnosis*
  • Menstruation Disturbances / etiology
  • Menstruation Disturbances / therapy*
  • Pediatricians
  • Physician's Role*
  • Puberty / physiology