Case Study of Samira; Samira is a 26-year-old female with a history of intense dysmenorrhea. She experiences menarche at age 11. Her menstrual cycles average 25 days in length. She has a BMI of 18. Her menstrual cycle pain had decreased over the last 3 years while she was consistently taking birth control pills. However, she is now planning her first pregnancy and has been off birth control for 6 months now. She has yet to conceive, even though she and her partner have been carefully timing intercourse and monitoring Samira’s fertility window each month. Her dysmenorrhea has returned and she has developed menometrorrhagia, along with other cyclical symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and craving salty foods.
Samira’s physician is concerned that she may have endometriosis. Briefly explain the pathophysiology of this condition.
QUESTION 2
Which of Samira’s symptoms is most likely NOT related to endometriosis?
| Craving salty food | ||
| Diarrhea | ||
| Dysmenorrhea | ||
| Bloating |
Case Study of Samira; QUESTION 3
Why would Samira’s dysmenorrhea symptoms decrease when taking birth control pills?
QUESTION 4
List and briefly describe 3 risk factors Samira has for endometriosis.
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QUESTION 5
Aside from the symptoms Samira has, which of the following symptoms is also likely for women who experience endometriosis? (Select all that apply.)
| Fatigue | ||
| Pain with bowel movements | ||
| Pain with intercourse | ||
| Increased likelihood of gonorrhea | ||
| Increased risk of genital warts |
QUESTION 6
Samira’s physician wants to perform several tests to diagnose her condition. Which of the following procedures would NOT be helpful in diagnosing endometriosis?
| Pap smear | ||
| Ultrasound | ||
| Pelvic exam | ||
| Laparoscopy |
QUESTION 7
If Samira still wishes to become pregnant, which treatment option may decrease her symptoms while allowing fertilization and implantation of an ovum?
| Progestin therapy | ||
| Depo-Provera | ||
| Estrogen-Progesterone patch | ||
| Conservative surgery |
QUESTION 8
List and describe 3 lifestyle or at-home treatments that may help Samira reduce her symptoms.
QUESTION 9
Which of the following statements is true?
| Women with endometriosis always have symptoms of the disease, even if they are only mild symptoms. | ||
| Patients under 25 years of age with endometriosis are often treated with surgical hysterectomy. | ||
| In endometriosis, endometrial tissue only grows on reproductive organs and cannot affect other structures in the pelvic or abdominal cavity. | ||
| About 1/3 of women with endometriosis struggle with infertility. |
QUESTION 10
Which of the following statements is true?
| Genetics play no role in endometriosis. | ||
| Women who have mothers, aunts, and sisters with endometriosis are more likely to develop the condition themselves. | ||
| Endometriosis is typically diagnosed after menopause. | ||
| Exposure to estrogen through foods, medications, and other environmental factors does not contribute to a woman’s risk of endometriosis. |