[Menstrual disorders in adolescents: commonplace or worrisome?].
The first menstrual cycles following menarche are often caracterized by irregular and/or heavy bleeding. The adolescent patient may be worried by these episodes of bleeding. In 50-80% of cases these are anovulatory bleeding due to the immaturity of the gonadotrophic axis. Nevertheless pathologies such as von Willebrand disease, genital infection, polycystic ovary syndrom, eating disorders, a tumor or a pregnancy may be diagnosed by bleeding abnormalities. The challenge for the physician is to distinguish between bleeding abnormalities secondary to anovulation and pathologies where investigations and specific follow-up is mandatory. Adolescents who experience abnormal bleeding must be counceled according to their perceptions and expectations.
Jacot-Guillarmod
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Département de gynécologie et obstétrique, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne. martine.jacot-guillarmod@chuv.ch
Renteria
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SC
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*