A female patient reports to her doctor that her periods seem to last a long time and are quite painful.Her doctor asks if the woman also has pain during sexual activity and whether she has ever tried unsuccessfully to have a child.What problem is this doctor likely trying to assess?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The doctor is likely trying to assess whether the patient has endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing painful periods, pain during sex, and infertility. Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods, dysmenorrhea is painful periods without necessarily indicating endometriosis, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a mood disorder associated with the menstrual cycle.

A Female Patient Reports to Her Doctor That Her Periods