Symptomatic menopausal or female climacteric states

This code signifies the presence of menopausal symptoms that are causing distress or functional impairment in a female patient. These symptoms are directly attributable to the physiological changes associated with the cessation of menstruation, often referred to as the climacteric. It indicates that the patient is experiencing more than just the natural transition, but rather a symptomatic state requiring medical attention.

Use this code when a female patient presents with documented menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, or sleep disturbances that are severe enough to warrant clinical intervention or management. Documentation should clearly link these symptoms to the menopausal or perimenopausal period and indicate their symptomatic nature.

• Distinguish from routine menopausal status (V49.81) which is for asymptomatic cases.
• Always look for documentation of specific symptoms and their impact on the patient.
• Consider sequencing this code as a primary diagnosis when the symptoms are the main reason for the encounter.