How to interview a patient with a missed period
Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.
The first cause of a missed period is pregnancy. After that, weight, stress, thyroid, hormones and medicines explain most cases.
Step by step
Introduce yourself and offer privacy
Ask if they want anyone present. [1]
Pregnancy first
Last period date, sexual activity, contraception, pregnancy test. [2]
Cycle history
Age at first period, usual cycle length, regular or not, when it changed. [3]
Weight, exercise and stress
Weight loss or gain, intense training, eating patterns, stress. [2]
Hormone symptoms
Acne, extra hair growth, milky nipple discharge, headaches, vision changes, heat or cold intolerance, hot flashes. [2]
Medicines
Hormonal contraception, antipsychotics, recent stop of the pill. [2]
Summarize and plan
Explain the pregnancy test and blood tests if needed. [1]
Common errors
- Not doing a pregnancy test.
- Skipping eating and exercise questions.
- Missing milky discharge or headaches.
Practice it in VMS
In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.
VMS cases that train this skill
Sources
- AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)
- NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint
- NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations
Facts and steps follow NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.