The paper features a discussion on the patient showing the symptoms of endometriosis, as well as the differences between treatment modalities for endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and amenorrhea. The report presents the chosen drug therapy and the follow-up care plan. The paper stresses the significance of proper assessment and diagnosis and concludes that errors during patient evaluation may result in poor health outcomes due to the differences in treatment for the mentioned conditions.
Patient’s Assessment
During my practicum experience, a 27 year-old-woman presented to the office with endometriosis. The patient noted severe pelvic pain during the first day of her menstrual cycle that was also present during ovulation. The woman also reported heavy irregular bleeding during menstruation and occasional spotting before periods. The symptoms are common of endometriosis; pelvic exam and laparoscopy were used to confirm the diagnosis (“Endometriosis,” 2016; Schuiling & Likis, 2017).
The patient had a significant family history as her mother has had endometriosis for several years; her sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago. The selected drug therapy and treatment was danazol 200mg daily in 2 divided doses for three months; the use of oral contraceptives was suggested (Tharpe, Farley, & Jordan, 2017). Follow-up care included regular rechecking to avoid worsening of symptoms, as well as laboratory tests every six months to eliminate the risk of endometrial cancer.
Treatment Modalities
It is vital to note that although the primary objective of care is to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of the patient’s life, treatment modalities for endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and amenorrhea differ. According to Tharpe et al. (2017), endometriosis may be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, medications, surgical interventions such as oophorectomy, as well as hormonal contraceptives and other medications. Treatment options for ovarian cysts include ovarian cystectomy, removing the fallopian tube, and the use of hormonal contraceptives to prevent the disease from recurring (Villines, 2018).
Moreover, in cases when there are no symptoms and the cyst is small and fluid-filled, there is no need for interventions as it may disappear within several months. As for amenorrhea, which is characterized by the absence of menstruation, the treatment plan should be based on the possible causes of the condition. It may include changes in diet, psychological counseling, thyroxine-based treatment, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and oral contraceptives in case of polycystic ovary failure (Nordqvist, 2018).
It is vital to consider the implications of these differences during diagnosis and treatment to ensure excellent patient outcomes. First, it is crucial to perform a detailed patient assessment to ensure that the diagnosis is correct. For example, both endometriosis and ovarian cysts may be associated with pelvic pain during menstruation or sexual intercourse, so it is necessary to implement pelvic examination, ultrasound investigation, and laboratory tests to distinguish between these conditions. Second, the differences presented treatment options suggest that each of the diseases require a specific approach and it is vital to avoid misdiagnosis. Errors during assessment may result in unnecessary medical prescriptions and surgical interventions, which can lead to poor patient outcomes.
Conclusion
Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and amenorrhea require different treatment options, which means that it is vital to perform a proper patient examination to avoid misdiagnosis and medical errors. To do so, a caregiver should implement laboratory tests, ultrasound investigation, and pelvic exam, as well as consider each of the presented symptoms. These measures will allow eliminating unnecessary surgical interventions and medical prescriptions, which will improve patient outcomes.
References
Endometriosis. (2016). Web.
Nordqvist, C. (2018). What is amenorrhea? Web.
Schuiling, K. D., & Likis, F. E. (2017). Women’s gynecologic health (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Tharpe, N. L., Farley, C., & Jordan, R. G. (2017). Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery & women’s health (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Villines, Z. (2018). Home remedies for ovarian cyst symptoms. Web.