Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Reproduction > 3) Puberty & Abnormalities of Menstruation > Flashcards

3) Puberty & Abnormalities of Menstruation Flashcards

1
Q

At what age does puberty take place in girls?

A

8-13 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

At what age does puberty take place in boys?

A

9-14 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What changes take place in a boy at puberty?

A

Genital development begins
Adrenarche (pubic hair growth)
Spermatogenesis begins
Growth spurt (10cm/year)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What changes take place in a girl during puberty?

A

Thelarche - breast bud development, 1st sign of puberty
Adrenarche - pubic hair growth
Growth spurt (9cm/year)
Menarche - onset of menstrual cycles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Puberty is under hormonal control. Which hormones are involved?

A

Onset of puberty:
Rise in FSH & LH (brain initiates)
due to Pulsatile GnRH secretion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the significance of body weight and puberty?

A

Body weight most important factor in timing of puberty

47kg critical weight for menarche

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What happens to the reproductive cycle if body weight falls significantly below 47kg?

A

Reproductive cycle ceases

May be signalled to brain by leptins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

At what weight does the growth spurt start in boys & girls?

A

30kg girls

55kg boys

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is adrenarche and how does it occur?

A

Pubic and axillary hair growth
Depends on androgens in both sexes
From adrenal glands in girls

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What causes the growth spurt in girls & boys during puberty?

A

Growth hormone & Steroids
Ended by epiphyseal fusion
Oestrogen closes epiphyses earlier in girls
Growth spurt earlier & shorter in girls

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is thelarche?

A

Breast development

dependant on oestrogen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is male genital development dependant on?

A

Testosterone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is precocious puberty?

A

Development of signs of puberty before 8yrs in girls or 9yrs in boys

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What causes precocious puberty?

A

Unknown
Can be due to:
Neurological causes, inappropriate GnRH secretion
- Pineal tumours, meningitis
Uncontrolled gonadotrophin or steroid secretion
- Hormone secreting tumours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What happens during pre-menopause and what age does it occur?

A 
>40 years
Changes in menstrual cycle
Follicular phase shortens, ovulation early or absent
Less oestrogen secreted
Less -ve feedback - FSH & LH rise
FSH rises more - loss of inhibin too
Reduced fertility
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What changes occur during menopause?

A 
Cessation of menstrual cycles
Average age 49-50
Female has run out of follicles
Oestrogen falls dramatically
Less -ve feedback - FSH & LH rise
FSH rise dramatically - loss of inhibin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the vascular effects of menopause?

A

Hot flushes (80%)
Transient rises in skin temp
Relieved by oestrogen treatment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the effects of menopause on oestrogen sensitive tissues?

A

Uterus: regression of endometrium, shrinkage of myometrium
Thinning of cervix
Vaginal rugae lost (thinner, less distensible)
Involution of some breast tissue
Changes in skin
Reduction in bladder tone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the effects of menopause on bone?

A

Bone mass reduces by 2.5% per year for several years
Increased reabsorption relative to production
Osteoporosis (limited by oestrogen therapy)

20
Q

What are positives and negatives about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

A

Relieves symptoms of menopause
Orally/topically by patch/gel
Can limit osteoporosis
Not advised for cardio-protection

21
Q

What is amenorrhoea?

A

Absence of periods for at least 6 months

22
Q

What is primary amenorrhoea?

A

Never had a period
Absence of menses by 14 with abscence of secondary sexual characteristics e.g. thelarche
or Absence by age 16 with normal SSC

23
Q

What is secondary amenorrhoea?

A

Established menstruation has ceased for 3 months in woman with history of regular cyclical bleeding
9 months in a woman with a history of irregular periods
Normally aged 40-55

24
Q

What is oligomenorrhoea?

A

Infrequent periods occurring at intervals of 35days - 6months

25
Q

What is dysmenorrhoea?

A

Painful periods

26
Q

What is menorrhagia?

A 
Heavy vaginal bleeding that is not DUB
Heavy periods
Excessive >80ml
Prolonged >7 day uterine bleeding
Usually ovulatory
27
Q

What is cryptomenorrhoea?

A

Periods occur but not visible due to obstruction in outflow tract

28
Q

What is dysfunctional uterine bleeding(dub)?

A

Abnormal bleeding, no obvious organic cause

29
Q

What are anovulatory cycles?

A

No ovulation/luteal phase

Oligo/Amenorrhoea +/- Mennorhagia

30
Q

What are ovulatory cycles?

A

Normal menstrual cycles + dysmenorrhoea/mastalgia (sore breasts)

31
Q

What causes amenorrhoea?

A

Origin is Hypothalamic/Pituitary, Ovarian or Outflow tract (uterus, vagina, cervix)

32
Q

How do problems with the hypothalamus/pituitary cause amenorrhoea?

A

Inadequate levels of FSH
Inadequately stimulated ovaries
Ovaries fail to produce enough oestrogen to stimulate the endometrium of uterus
Hypo/hyperthyroidism may cause secondary

33
Q

Name a cause of primary hypothalamic amenorrhoea

A

Kallmann syndrome - Inability to produce GnRH (& FSH subsequently)

34
Q

Name some causes of secondary hypothalamic amenorrhoea

A

Exercise amenorrhoea
Stress amenorrhoea
Eating disorders & weight loss (obesity, anorexia, bulimia)
Fall below critical weight 47kg & menses ceases

35
Q

Name some causes of secondary pituitary amenorrhoea

A

Sheehan syndrome - hypopituitarism
Hyperprolactinaemia
Haemochromatosis - ‘Iron overload’

36
Q

What is hypergonadotrophic amenorrhoea?

A

Ovarian amenorrhoea, ovary doesn’t respond to pituitary stimulation - low oestrogen levels
Lack of -ve feedback - elevated FSH levels in the menopausal range

37
Q

Name some causes of primary gonadal/end-organ amenorrhoea

A

Gonadal dysgenesis - e.g. Turner’s syndrome (45,X)
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Receptor abnormalities for FSH & LH
Specific forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

38
Q

Name some causes of secondary gonadal/end-organ amenorrhoea

A 
Pregnancy
Anovulation
Menopause (or premature menopause)
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Drug-induced
39
Q

What is outflow tract amenorrhoea?

A

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis is functional
FSH level normal
Problem with uterus/vagina/cervix

40
Q

Name some causes of primary outflow tract obstruction (amenorrhoea)

A

Uterine - Mullerian agenesis (15% primary)

Vaginal - Vaginal atresia, cryptomenorrhoea, imperforate hymen

41
Q

Name a cause of secondary outflow tract obstruction (amenorrhoea)

A

Intrauterine Adhesions (Asherman’s syndrome)

42
Q

How is amenorrhoea managed?

A

Depends on cause:
Hormone replacement
Modification of lifestyle factors (exercise, weight loss)

43
Q

Explain what happens when dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) occurs when ovulation is not occurring

A

90%
CL does not form to release progesterone
Oestrogen is produce continuously - overgrowth of uterine endometrium & subsequent bleeding

44
Q

Explain what happens when dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) occurs when ovulation is occurring

A

10%?
Progesterone secretion prolonged as oestrogen levels are low
Irregular shedding of uterine lining & erratic bleeding

45
Q

How is dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) diagnosed?

A 
Exclusion of other causes:
hCG, TSH - Exclude pregnancy, thyroid
Coagulation workup
Smear if appropriate - Exclude cancer
Sample endometrium
46
Q

Name some causes of menorrhagia

A

Usually secondary to distortion of uterine cavity
Uterus unable to contract down on open venous sinuses in zona basalis
Or organic, endocrine, haemostatic, iatrogenic (fibroids, hypothyroidism)

47
Q

How is menorrhagia managed?

A

Progesterone

Reproduction (13 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions