A 30-year-old female presents to the outpatient clinic reporting the cessation of her menstrual cycles over the last 7 months. She previously experienced predictable 28-day intervals. Recently, she has been troubled by nighttime awakenings associated with intense sweating and flushing. She is sexually active with a single male partner and relies on barrier contraception. Medical history is noncontributory, and she takes no daily medications. Her body mass index is 22 kg/m . Vital signs are temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F), blood pressure 112/74 mm Hg, pulse 76/min, and respirations 14/min. Pelvic examination demonstrates pale, thinned vaginal epithelium with minimal secretions. The uterus is normal in size and non-tender, with no adnexal masses appreciated. A point-of-care urine pregnancy test is negative.
Arrange the following diagnostic and management steps in the most appropriate clinical sequence to evaluate and treat this patient's condition.
- 1Measure initial serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels
- 2Confirm the diagnosis with a repeat serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level drawn at least 4 weeks later
- 3Screen for associated autoimmune endocrinopathies (e.g., 21-hydroxylase antibodies)
- 4Initiate systemic estrogen and progestin therapy