204 - gynaecology Flashcards
define intermenstrual bleeding
vaginal bleeding at any time during the menstrual cycle apart from during normal menstuation
define menorrhagia
excessive loss of blood during menstuation (>80mL)
how would you classify bleeding that occurs immediately after sexual intercourse
post coital bleeding
what is mid cycle spotting
spotting occurring just before ovulation usually due to the decline in oestrogen levels
what is the term for painful menstrual periods and what is it caused by?
Dysmenorrhoea
causes - primary no cause. secondary to endometriosis or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
what us the term for pain associated with sexual intercourse?
dyspareunia
what is a bladder prolapse called?
cystocoele
what is a rectum prolapse called?
rectocoele
what should be asked in a menorrhagia history?
dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, abnormal vaginal discharge, quality of life, clots, flooding, gp treatment, previous obstetrics hx
what are the most common causes of menorrhagia (most common first)?
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB) - no organic disease - 60%
Fibroids (uterine leiomyomas) - benign growths
Endometriosis (uterine tissue outside uterus) or Adenomyosis (ectopic endometrial tissue within the myometrium)
what should be carried out on examination for menorrhagia?
signs of anaemia,
abdominal exam for masses and tenderness
speculum exam of cervix
pelvic exam for SSPMT (size, shape, position, mobility and tenderness)
what investigations can be carried out for menorrhagia?
- swabs - high vaginal and endocervical - check for pelvic inflammatory disease caused by chlamydia or gonorrhoea)
- FBC to check for anaemia
- USS/CT/MRI to check for fibroids, endometriosis and free fluid
- endometrial biopsy (pepel) in women over 40 for endometrial cancer
what treatment can be given for menorrhagia?
- tranexamic acid (antifibrinolytic) during menstruation only reduces 50%
- mefenamic acid (NSAID) - pain relief & reduced bleeding
- progestogens
- gnrh analogues
- surgical
What progestogen treatments are available for menorrhagia and what are the benefits/side effects?
- mirena coil (1st line) slow release of progestogen- reduces loss by 90%, 30% amenorrhoeic by 1 yr, excellent contraceptive, lasts 5yrs, irregular bleeding for 3-4months, breast tenderness 7 bloating.
- Combined oral contraceptive pill - 20-30% reduction & reduces pain.
- High dose progestogens - used in continuous bleeding/severe anaemia to stop quickly
- oral progestogens (not used in regular menorrhagia)- norethisterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate
what GnRH analogues are used to treat menorrhagia and what are their benefits/side effects?
*Prostap (leuprorelin acetate)
*Decapeptyl (Triptorelin)
mimic GnRH action on hypothalamus (-ve feedback) causing less GnRH release and less LH/FSH & oestrogen secretion. Used to achieve menorrhoea quickly. side effects hot flushes, osteoporosis (so can only use for 6-12 months)
what surgical treatments are available for menorrhagia and what are the benefits/side effects?
- endometrial ablation - destruction of endometrium down to basal membrane, 80-90% effective. Novasure (electrical impedance) and thermachoice (thermal balloon)
- hysterectomy - abdominally and vaginally
What is Dysfunctional uterine bleeding?
menorrhagia not associated with organic disease of the genital tract. Diagnosis of exclusion when there are no fibroids , endometriosis/adenomyosis, anovulatory cycles, malignancy, clotting disorders
what are fibroids (leiomyomas)?
common benign tumours of the smooth muscle of the uterus (cancerous fibroids (leiomyosarcomas) rare & dont develop from benign fibroids)
- majority assymptomatic, common in afro carribean,obese, mid-late reproductive years, HTN & those with family hx
- grows in response to oestrogen & progesterone
what are the different sites of fibroids?
- submucosal - most likely to cause menorrhagia due to incr. surface area of mucosa. also affects fertility
- intramural - most common. may cause menorrhagia
- subserous - on outside of uterus. usually asymptomatic
- intracavitary - grow in papillary manner. may cause infertilty
- pedunculated - grow in papillary manner from outer wall into peritoneal cavity
what are the symptoms & signs of fibroids?
menorrhagia, dysmenorrhoea, dypareunia, infertility, abdominal fullness, painful defecation, urinary freq/obstruction
abdominal mass that is slow growing
what are the investigations for fibroids?
haemoglobin, tumour markers CA125/CEA, USS, endometrial biopsy, hysteroscopy, diagnostic laparoscopy