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Menstrual patterns can be an indicator of overall health and self-perception of well-being. Primary amenorrhea, defined as the lifelong absence of menses, requires evaluation if menarche has not occurred by 15 years of age or three years post-thelarche. Secondary amenorrhea is characterized by cessation of previously regular menses for three months or previously irregular menses for six months and warrants evaluation. Clinicians may consider etiologies of amenorrhea categorically as outflow tract abnormalities, primary ovarian insufficiency, hypothalamic or pituitary disorders, other endocrine gland disorders, sequelae of chronic disease, physiologic, or induced. The history should include menstrual onset and patterns, eating and exercise habits, presence of psychosocial stressors, body weight changes, medication use, galactorrhea, and chronic illness. Additional questions may target neurologic, vasomotor, hyperandrogenic, or thyroid-related symptoms. The physical examination should identify anthropometric and pubertal development trends. All patients should be offered a pregnancy test and assessment of serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Additional testing, including karyotyping, serum androgen evaluation, and pelvic or brain imaging, should be individualized. Patients with primary ovarian insufficiency can maintain unpredictable ovary function and may require hormone replacement therapy, contraception, or infertility services. Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea may indicate disordered eating and low bone density. Treatment should address the underlying cause. Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome should undergo screening and intervention to attenuate metabolic disease and endometrial cancer risk. Amenorrhea can be associated with clinically challenging pathology and may require lifelong treatment. Patients will benefit from ample time with the clinician, sensitivity, and emotional support.

In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs updated national guidelines on provision of quality contraceptive services and sexual and reproductive health care. New recommendations systematically promote care that is person-centered and accessible for all people. Contraceptive services may be addressed through a stepwise approach in which the clinician asks about an individual’s contraceptive preferences based on their needs, desires, and prior experiences and then collaboratively works with the patient to align methods with their values and preferences. The clinician should discuss all methods that can be used safely based on medical eligibility criteria regardless of method availability and defer the decision to the patient. Physical assessment includes in-office or self-reported blood pressure measurement before starting an estrogen-containing contraceptive or pelvic examination when inserting an intrauterine device. If it is reasonably certain that the patient is not pregnant, any contraceptive may be started immediately; otherwise, a nonintrauterine bridge method may be initiated with follow-up pregnancy testing. To reduce barriers, a 1-year supply of short-acting or injectable contraceptives may be prescribed, and telehealth may be incorporated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports advance provision of emergency contraceptives. New recommendations include pain control during intrauterine device insertion, management of bleeding irregularities related to contraception, updated eligibility criteria (eg, venous thromboembolism, kidney disease), and new methods (eg, progestin-only formulations). Expanded sexual and reproductive health care services, such as screening for cervical cancer or sexually transmitted infections, should be offered, but patient acceptance of these services is not required during contraception management.

Eating disorders are potentially life-threatening conditions characterized by disordered eating and weight-control behaviors that impair physical health and psychosocial functioning. Early intervention may decrease the risk of long-term pathology and disability. Clinicians should interpret disordered eating and body image concerns and carefully monitor patients' height, weight, and body mass index trends for subtle changes. After diagnosis, visits should include the sensitive review of psychosocial and clinical factors, physical examination, orthostatic vital signs, and testing (e.g., a metabolic panel with magnesium and phosphate levels, electrocardiography) when indicated. Additional care team members (i.e., dietitian, therapist, and caregivers) should provide a unified, evidence-based therapeutic approach. The escalation of care should be based on health status (e.g., acute food refusal, uncontrollable binge eating or purging, co-occurring conditions, suicidality, test abnormalities), weight patterns, outpatient options, and social support. A healthy weight range is determined by the degree of malnutrition and pre-illness trajectories. Weight gain of 2.2 to 4.4 lb per week stabilizes cardiovascular health. Treatment options may include cognitive behavior interventions that address body image and dietary and physical activity behaviors; family-based therapy, which is a first-line treatment for youths; and pharmacotherapy, which may treat co-occurring conditions, but should not be pursued alone. Evidence supports select antidepressants or topiramate for bulimia nervosa and lisdexamfetamine for binge-eating disorder. Remission is suggested by healthy biopsychosocial functioning, cognitive flexibility with eating, resolution of disordered behaviors and decision-making, and if applicable, restoration of weight and menses. Prevention should emphasize a positive focus on body image instead of a focus on weight or dieting.

As someone who takes pride in maintaining meaningful patient-clinician relationships, I was upset to learn that a 38-year-old Black patient, whom I have seen multiple times in my clinic, requested a referral for contraception management. She has one living child, a previous pregnancy termination, and a history of obesity, hypertension, and depression. I have extensive experience in contraceptive management and believe that assisting patients with sexual and reproductive health care is a priority in primary care.

Healthy development is likely to occur when an adolescent's risk factors are limited and when protective factors are fostered. Healthy development is further encouraged when youth feel valued, empowered, and form healthy social connections. Threats to the well-being of adolescents typically result from experimentation and psychosocial stressors. SSHADESS (strengths, school, home, activities, drugs, emotions/eating, sexuality, safety) is a mnemonic to facilitate collection of psychosocial history of critical life dimensions emphasizing strengths within a youth's life experience instead of solely focusing on risks, which in isolation can provoke feelings of shame. Because adolescents are more likely to access health care and share sensitive information when confidentiality is assured, clinicians should regularly offer confidential screening and counseling. When limited for time, a brief psychosocial screen may include current stressors, availability of a confidant, and school or work experience as a proxy for well-being. Clinicians should provide education to prevent initiation of tobacco use. Long-acting reversible contraceptives are safe and effective in adolescents and should be offered as first-line options to prevent pregnancy. Sexually active females 24 years or younger should be screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia annually. Adolescents 12 years or older should be screened for major depressive disorder when systems are available to ensure accurate diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Adolescents with body mass index at the 95th percentile or higher should be referred for comprehensive behavioral interventions. Seatbelt use and avoidance of distracted or impaired driving should be discussed. Clinicians should discuss digital literacy and appropriate online boundary setting and display of personal information. Illustration by Jennifer Fairman

Primary care clinicians are uniquely situated to reduce unintended pregnancy in the context of a patient's medical comorbidities, social circumstance, and gender identity. New evidence regarding contraception use has emerged in recent years. The copper intrauterine device is the most effective option for emergency contraception, with similar effectiveness found for the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, 52 mg, and both offer extended future contraception. Ulipristal given within 120 hours after unprotected intercourse is the most effective oral emergency contraceptive. Oral levonorgestrel, 1.5 mg, is slightly less effective than ulipristal, and is less effective in patients with a body mass index of more than 30 kg per m 2 and if administered after 72 hours. The Yuzpe method, which uses a combination of oral contraceptives, is less effective than ulipristal or oral levonorgestrel, 1.5 mg, and has high risk of nausea and vomiting. Contraception methods based on fertility awareness are safe and have similar effectiveness as condom use and the withdrawal method. Patients who have migraine with aura have a higher risk of ischemic stroke, and combined oral contraceptives appear to increase this risk. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding their use in these patients. Studies support the extended use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, 52 mg, for seven years, the copper intrauterine device for 12 years, and the etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implant for five years. One levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device, 52 mg, (Mirena) was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for seven years of use to prevent pregnancy. However, the intervals for the copper intrauterine device and the etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implant are longer than approved by the FDA, and patient-clinician shared decision-making should be used. Subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, 104 mg, a newer formulation with prefilled syringes, can be safely self-administered every 13 weeks. Because bone density loss appears to be reversible, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends considering use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate beyond two years despite an FDA boxed warning about increased fracture risk. Testosterone does not prevent pregnancy but is safe to use with hormonal contraception; thus, transgender and gender-diverse patients with a uterus can be offered the full range of contraceptive options. Illustration by Jonathan Dimes

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in women, including healthy women with normal genitourinary anatomy. Recurrent UTI is typically defined as three or more UTIs within 12 months, or two or more occurrences within six months. The same species that caused previous infections is typically responsible for recurrences. In premenopausal women, sexual intercourse three or more times per week, spermicide use, new or multiple sex partners, and having a UTI before 15 years of age are established risk factors. In postmenopausal women, risk is primarily increased by sequelae of lower estrogen levels. Episodes of recurrent UTI are typically characterized by dysuria and urinary frequency or hesitancy. Findings from the history or physical examination that suggest complicated infection or another disease process warrant additional evaluation. At least one symptomatic episode should be verified by urine culture to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment. Imaging is rarely warranted. Short courses of antibiotics are as effective as longer courses. Patient-initiated treatment lowers the cost of diagnosis, number of physician visits, and number of symptomatic days compared with physician-initiated treatment. It also reduces antibiotic exposure compared with antibiotic prophylaxis. Antibiotic prophylaxis effectively limits UTI recurrence but increases the risk of antibiotic resistance and adverse effects. Cranberry products may reduce recurrent UTIs in premenopausal women, but are less effective than antibiotic prophylaxis, and data are conflicting. Optimal dosing is unknown. Postmenopausal women with atrophic vaginitis may benefit from topical estrogen therapy.