22 year old female comes to your OP complaining of frequent periods which comes every 18 days. What is this condition called?
**Core Concept**
The underlying principle being tested here is the classification of abnormal menstrual cycles, specifically the definition of a condition characterized by frequent and irregular menstrual periods.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
This condition is known as _polymenorrhea_, which is defined as menstrual cycles that are less than 21 days apart. In this case, the patient's menstrual cycles are coming every 18 days, which meets the criteria for polymenorrhea. This condition can be caused by various factors, including hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, and certain medications.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** _Dysmenorrhea_ refers to painful menstrual cramps, which is not relevant to this scenario.
**Option B:** _Amenorrhea_ is the absence of menstrual periods, which is the opposite of what this patient is experiencing.
**Option C:** _Oligomenorrhea_ refers to infrequent menstrual periods, which is also not relevant to this scenario.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that polymenorrhea can be a symptom of underlying hormonal imbalances or other medical conditions, and a thorough evaluation is necessary to determine the underlying cause.
**Correct Answer: C. Oligomenorrhea.