13) Gynaecological problems - Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Flashcards
Definitions of heavy menstrual bleeding
- Excessive menstrual loss that occurs regularly (24-35d) which interferes with quality of life (woman’s perception)
- > 80mL and/or duration of more than 7d (average loss 30-40mL with 90% of women <80mL)
- Changing pads 1-2 hourly, clots >2.5cm
Incidence of HMB
Affects around 20% of women at some point.
5% of women consult GP due to HMB. 20% of outpatient referrals to gynae.
20% of women <60 years have hysterectomy.
Causes of HMB
50% no cause identified.
Fibroids - 10% of menorrhagia, 40% of severe cases.
PALM COEIN - Polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy, coagulopathy, ovulatory, endometrial, iatrogenic, not otherwise specified.
NICE guidance on examination/investigations required for HMB.
- If history of menorrhagia without other related symptoms can consider pharmacological treatment without physical examination (unless inserting IUS).
- If other symptoms, needs physical examination.
Investigations:
- FBC
- If suspect intracavitary pathology - hysteroscopy
- If suspect large fibroids - pelvic ultrasound
- If suspect adenomysosis - TVUS
Management options for HMB
Group 1: No identified pathology/fibroids less than 3cm/adenomyosis:
- Mirena IUS
- TXA/Mefanamic acid
- CHC
- Cyclical oral progestogen (oral NET 5mg TDS from days 5-26 of menstrual cycle)
- If unsuccessful, refer to consider other options.
Group 2: Fibroids >3cm, or other treatment unsuccessful:
- Options as above
- Ulipristal acetate
- Uterine artery embolisation
- Myomectomy
- Hysterectomy
- Endometrial ablation
Effect of GnRH analogues on fibroids
36% reduction in size and symptoms after 12 weeks (after discontinuation, menstruation returned 4-8 weeks and size returned 4-6 months)
Incidence of fibroids
20-50% of women > 30 years (peak incidence in 40s).
Lifetime prevalence by age 50 70% of white women, 80% black women.
Risk factors for fibroids
Age Early puberty Obesity Black/asian ethnicity FHx
(Risk reduced by pregnancy and progestogen contraception)
FIGO classification of fibroids
Submucosal:
0 - Pedunculated intracavitary
1 - <50% intramural
2 - >50% intramural
Intramural:
3 - 100% intramural but contacts endometrium
4 - 100% intramural
Subserosal
5 - >50% intramural
6 - <50% intramural
7 - Pedunculated subserosal
8 - Other
How is uterine artery embolisation performed?
- Conscious sedation and analgesia
- Percutaneous femoral arterial access
- Catheter manipulated into uterine artery via anterior division internal iliac artery
- Embolic agent then injected under fluoroscopic control
- Takes around 30-90 minutes
Contraindications to uterine artery embolisation
- Current or recent genital tract infection
- Doubt re: diagnosis
- Asymptomatic fibroids
- Pregnancy
- If a patient would refuse a hysterectomy under any circumstances
Relative contraindications:
- Concern that pedunculated submucosal or large submucosal fibroids may slough into cavity with risk cervical obstruction
- Pedunculated subserosal fibroids may also detach and need laparoscopic retrieval
- If symptoms predominantly bulk, volume reduction may not be adequate
Fertility issues with UAE
- Pregnancy is possible
- Effect of UAE on fertility unknown
- Future pregnancies at increased risk of C-section and PPH
Pre-treatment for UAE
- MRI (alters management 22%)
- Ideally remove IUCD pre-procedure
- Single dose IV Abx prophylaxis
Complications of UAE
Immediate:
- Local - groin haematoma, arterial thrombosis, dissection, pseudo aneurysm (uncommon)
- Reaction to contrast (very rare)
- Spasm leading to incomplete embolisation
- Non-target embolisation (rare)
Early (within 30d):
- Post-embolisation syndrome (frequent)
- UTI (very rare)
- DVT (very rare)
Late (>30d) - this is majority of complications:
- Vaginal discharge (16% at 12 months)
- Fibroid expulsion (10%, 6% requiring additional procedure to remove)
- Infection (2%, endometritis 0.5%)
- Hysterectomy (3%)
- Amenorrhoea (2-7%, >85% over age 45)
- Change in sexual function (26% improved, 10% reduced)
Features of post-embolisation syndrome
- Pain, fever, nausea, malaise, raised inflammatory markers.
- Usually self-limiting over 10-14 days.
- 3-5% require readmission for parenteral analgesia and IVI
Management of suspected infection post UAE
- Usually anaerobic
- Admission for IV Abx and IVI
- MRI to exclude abscess/fibroid impaction
In what percentage of women are uterine artery to ovarian artery anastamoses visible
46%
What are you aiming to destroy in endometrial ablation?
Endometrial glands (located at endomyometrial junction) and up to 5mm of myometrium (to get basal glands)