12. Reproductive System - Pathologies Flashcards
What is in-vitro fertilisation (IVF)?
Artificial fertilisation of the ovum by sperm outside the body
What are the success rates of IVF?
- 3% aged <35
- 7% aged 35-37
- 8% aged 38-39
- 6% aged 40-42
What does the IVF process entail?
- The drug clomiphene causes oocytes to develop
- Eggs retrieved from ovaries, examined and incubated with sperm on a petri dish to allow fertilisation or sperm injected into egg
- Embryo is transferred to uterus
Amenorrhoea: definition
Absence of periods
Primary amenorrhoea: definition
Failure to have a period by aged 16/17
Secondary amenorrhoea: definition
Lack of menstruation for 3 months in previously menstrual woman
Primary amenorrhoea: aetiology
Congenital defects: failure of the ovarian follicles to develop (Turner’s syndrome)
Secondary amenorrhoea: aetiology
Excessive exercise Stress Anorexia Pregnancy Pituitary tumour PCOS Uterine obstruction Hypothyroidism Medications (e.g. antipsychotics)
Dysmenorrhoea: definition
Painful periods
Primary dysmenorrhoea: definition
Excessive release of uterine prostaglandins during menstruation, causing the myometrium to contract
Primary dysmenorrhoea: aetiology
No association with identifiable pelvic disease
Secondary dysmenorrhoea: aetiology
Associated with specific pelvic or systemic pathologies such as endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease
When does primary dysmenorrhoea usually occur?
6-12 months after menarche
Dysmenorrhoea: allopathic treatment
Contraceptive pill (inhibits ovulation) NSAIDs
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): definition
Physiological, psychological and behavioural changes during the luteal phase (second half of menstrual cycle)
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): aetiology
Variable: definitive cause unknown
Hormone imbalance - rapid shifts in levels of oestrogen and progesterone which can influence neurotransmitters
Drop in progesterone in the luteal phase of cycle
Increase in prostaglandins
Serotonin deficiency is thought to be a key neurotransmitter relationship
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): signs and symptoms
Over 150 symptoms have been attributed to PMS - tension, anxiety, reduced concentration, depression, fatigue
Headache, bloating, backache, pelvic pain, aching legs, sweating
Low blood sugar, cravings, increased appetite, pimples
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): allopathic treatment
Oral contraceptive pill
Counselling
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): definition
Infectious and inflammatory disorder of the upper female genital tract including the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): aetiology
Spread of bacteria ascending from the cervix
Sexually transmitted infective causes include gonorrhoea and chlamydia
Insertion of intra-uterine device (IUD) e.g. coil
Abortion
Delivery under non-sterile conditions
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): signs and symptoms
Lower abdominal pain (gradual or sudden/severe) - may increase with walking
Deep dyspareunia
Purulent discharge - pus/foul odour
Occasional dysuria, fever, nausea, vomiting
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): complications
Ectopic pregnancy, infertility
Peritonitis, abscesses, septicaemia
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): allopathic treatment
Antibiotics
Endometriosis: definition
Endometrial tissue found outside uterine cavity
Endometriosis: pathophysiology
Ectopic endometrial tissue follows the menstrual cycle but there’s no exit point for that blood that accumulates during menstruation
This leads to irritation, inflammation and pain
Endometriosis: aetiology
Altered immune surveillance in pelvic cavity affecting the body’s ability to recognise ectopic endometrial tissue
Oestrogen dominance, causing endometrial tissue (wherever it is) to proliferate
Retrograde menstruation - migration of endometrial tissue back through fallopian tubes/transplant of tissue during surgery
Primordial cells lining other body cavities or organs differentiate into endometrial cells
Transfer of tissue through blood/lymph
Endometriosis: signs and symptoms
Dysmenorrhoea Menorrhagia Pelvic pain occurring around menstruation and lessening after Dyspareunia Bloating Lower back pain Bowel changes e.g. diarrhoea Infertility
Endometriosis: diagnostics
Ultrasound
Laparoscopy
Endometriosis: complications
Recurrent inflammation = formation of fibrous tissue = adhesions
Adhesions = obstruction of uterus/fallopian tubes = infertility
Chocolate cysts - sac containing old blood
Endometriosis: allopathic treatment
Combined oral contraceptive pill
Surgery to remove ectopic tissue (45% grows back within a year)
Where does endometriosis commonly affect?
Ovaries Fallopian tubes Utero-sacral ligaments Pelvic cavity Intestines
Which women are at risk of developing endometriosis?
Family history
Women who haven’t given birth
Periods longer than 7 days
Fibroids: definition
Benign tumours of the uterus myometrium
Can vary significantly in number and size
Fibroids: aetiology
Development is linked to levels of oestrogen and progesterone
Increased risk with obesity (excess oestrogen)
Earlier menses (more oestrogen)
Family history
Contraceptive pill (more oestrogen!)