Case history
Case history
A 50-year-old white schoolteacher presents complaining of night sweats and difficulty sleeping. She has also noticed a decrease in her libido and discomfort during intercourse. Her family complains that she is more irritable. She is worried about a 6 pound 10 ounce (3 kg) weight gain since her last visit 1 year ago. She has not had her period for 12 months; immediately prior to that her periods were lighter and shorter. On pelvic exam, the labia minora appear thin and the vaginal mucosa is slightly pale, but the rest of the physical exam is unremarkable.
Other presentations
Women who enter premature menopause before age 40, have a hysterectomy with bilateral ovarian removal, or have radiation therapy or chemotherapy that may affect the ovaries may experience more abrupt onset of symptoms than women in natural menopause.
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