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Ms. Landry is a 30-year-old Caucasian female with a three-month history of abnormal vaginal bleeding.
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HPI:
Ms. Landry complains of a three-month history of intermittent
vaginal bleeding throughout her menstrual cycle that is increased during
menstrual periods. During
this same period, she notes lower abdominal cramping and pain with deep
pelvic thrusts during intercourse. She
admits to having occasional post-coital bleeding.
She denies any abnormal vaginal discharges, nausea, appetite
changes, or breast tenderness. She
also denies increased frequency, urgency, or changes in bowel habits.
She denies weight loss, excessive exercise, or increased stress.
Her
age at menarche was 12 years and has had mostly regular menstrual cycles,
approximately every fourth week, until approximately six months ago.
Her menstrual periods typically last four days but recently they
have persisted for as long as two weeks.
She notes mild to moderate
dysmenorrhea although not every cycle.
She has had no known pregnancies but has used various methods of
contraception in the past.
She
has had two episodes of vaginal Candidiasis, the last occurring
approximately four years ago. She
denied any history of gonorrhea, chlmydia, or any other sexually
transmitted disease. She
states that she has had about ten sexual partners over the years, but none
she would consider high risk. Her
last Pap smear was four years ago and was normal.
She has used oral contraceptives extensively in the past but has
not used them for the past two years because she has not had a steady
partner. She has had two
partners in the past six months.
Past
Medical History: non-contributory
Past
Surgical History: none
Medications:
none
Allergies:
none known
Social
History: single, lives alone, works as a secretary at a local law firm,
smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day for past twelve years, consumes 6-10
alcoholic drinks per week, no recreational drug use
father,
age 62, has Type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease
mother,
age 57, had hysterectomy ten years ago due to uterine fibroids and
hypothyroidism controlled on Synthroid -brother, age 32, has asthma |
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Review of systems: Denied changes in her weight or appetite but stated that she is always cold. No history of increased bleeding including epistaxis or easy bruising. Denied blurry vision and galactorrhea. No history of hepatitis or blood transfusions. Some facial hair but not excessive and moderate acne that was worse during teenage years.
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Pelvis: No purulent or bloody discharge. Vulva, vagina, and cervix had no lesions and masses. No tenderness to deep palpation. Uterus retroverted , normal size, and without nodularity. No uterine or adnexal masses. No nodularity of uterosacral ligaments. |
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Ms. Landry has no desire to pregnancy at this point but did not want to
eliminate the possibility in the future. Therefore, she was given Loestrin
1/20 and told to follow-up in three months.
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Ms. Landry returns to clinic at her scheduled appointment three months later and reports a slight increase in her vaginal bleeding. |
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Ms. Landry is started on Danazol 800 mg per day and instructed to return
in another three months. She returns and reports a significant decrease in
her symptoms, including bleeding. Her danazol is discontinued after one
year and she remains symptom free.
Twenty years later, a 50-year-old Ms. Landry presents to your office complaing of increased vaginal bleeding. For the past few years, her menses have been more irregular with periodic episodes of heavy bleeding.
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You attempt but are unable to obtain an endometrial sample in your office.
You refer Ms. Landry to a gynecologist who performs a dilation and
curettage that reveals normal endometrium. She is told that abnormal
bleeding can be normal in the perimenopausal period. She is counseled on
the benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Most perimenopausal bleeding
can be controlled by hormone, either low dose BCP's or ERT. Hysterectomy,
however, is usually not needed.
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