CCC Womens Health Discussion

• Relate to another journal reading
• Women’s Health
• In this case, the patient reports the absence of a menstrual cycle for the past 6months and her pregnancy test result is negative. The FNP ordered lab work to assess for a physiological cause for the amenorrhea. It is the patient’s desire to avoid hormone therapy based her beliefs. The FNP should attempt to contact the patient to discuss the lab work specifically as it relates to arriving at a diagnosis for the amenorrhea. The patient’s confusion regarding therapy even before the labs are drawn may have resulted from a communication failure between the FNP and the patient. Therapies should be discussed after the results are obtained in a shared decision-making forum. Shared decision making is based on collaboration between the provider and the patient and involves the patient’s preferences, values, and beliefs (Hoffmann et al., 2022). 

To help the patient, the FNP can contact her to discuss the case, address her concerns,  and educate her regarding the many possible causes of secondary amenorrhea. Some of the causes to discuss include psychosocial stressors, diet, strenuous exercise, weight loss, endocrine gland disorders, primary ovarian insufficiency, hypothalamic or pituitary disorders, and sequela of chronic disease (Klein et al., 2019). It is important for the FNP to listen to the patient’s concerns and to provide treatment options that align with the patient’s beliefs, preferences, and values. If the patient is amenable with having lab work, the FNP can facilitate the start of a shared decision treatment plan. The FNP should educate the patient regarding the labs and their significance. The following labs are considered to determine causation of the amenorrhea FSH, LH, thyroid panel, HCG, and prolactin (Klein et al., 2019). It is equally important to obtain a thorough personal and family health history, psychosocial history, and sexual/reproductive history to determine a possible cause of hypothalamic amenorrhea. 

This FNP will need to cultivate a trusting relationship with the patient to formulate a treatment plan the patient finds comfortable. Follow up is important to ensure the patient can access appropriate support mechanisms for her concerns regarding possible therapies.