Clinical Evaluation of Patients with Suspected Reproductive Endocrine Disorders

Abstract

Female reproductive endocrine disorders are common, and can result in significant morbidity for women due to their impact on fertility, in addition to physical, psychological, and sexual consequences. It is therefore important that women with menstrual disorders are recognized, receive thorough clinical evaluation, and have access to appropriate services to facilitate prompt diagnosis so that hormone levels are maintained and the potential health consequences on fertility, bone, and cardiovascular health are minimized. Clinical assessment is often sufficient to determine the likely cause of female reproductive disorders or infertility, and allow subsequent diagnostic evaluation to be performed in a more targeted manner. This chapter will provide a practical and systematic guide to interpreting clinical assessment of female reproductive endocrine disorders.