history taking - Female Repro

Female Reproductive History Taking

This is sem 4  repro component
*female reproductive history taking is unique at some points – look at the bolded parts*

Things to ask;

1. demographics
2. chief complaint
3. history of chief complaint
4. menstrual history*
5. pregnancy history*
6. past medical history
7. social history

·         demographics

                                                               i.      Name

                                                             ii.      Age

                                                            iii.      Address

                                                           iv.      Religion

                                                             v.      Occupation

                                                           vi.      Marital status

                                                          vii.      Ethnicity

• Chief complaint – expect anything along the lines of…
• Abdominal cramps
• Contraception advice
• Trouble conscieving
• Vaginal itching / pain
• Menopausal symptoms
• Cancer checkup
• Amenorrhea
• Pain on lower back
• Infertility
• Irregular menstruation

Basically just ask what is the purpose of visit, and ask how long. It is the most important thing. You will need to change your question according to the chief complaint.

Menstrual history

• When was your first period?
• (if menopausal) – when was your last period?
• Most recent menstruation started on….. (date)
• Most recent menstruation ended on….
• Length of menstrual cycle? *in average – when short, when long.*
• How long does the menstruation last? (in days)
• How much is the menstrual blood loss?
• Any discomfort during menstruation?
• Any pre-menstrual symptoms?

Pregnancy history

• LMP - When was your first day of your last menstruation?
• How many times have you been pregnant? (gravida)
• *current pregnancy included*
• How many times have you given birth? (para)
• *twins / triplets are considered one para*
• Any miscarriages?
• Any complications during childbirth?
• How are the children?

You may be asked to calculate the EDD –Estimated Date of Delivary from the LMP

the expected date of delivery (EDD) is obtained by adding one year, subtracting three months, and adding seven days to the first day of a woman's last menstrual period (LMP).

Some extra points to remember –

fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.

Neonate - <28days after birth


the condition at which the pregnant mother feels nauseated for a prolonged period of time - is termed hyperemesis gravidarum