Disorders of the Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Disorders of the Uterine Cervix: Cervical Cancer (Risk Factors)
Risk Factors
- Linked to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection
- Smoking
- Dietary/nutritional
- Early age of first sexual intercourse/contact
- Family history
- Immunodeficiency
- Multiparity
- Oral contraceptives
- h/o chlamydial or herpes virus infection
Cervical Cancer : Pathogenesis & Manifestations
Pathogenesis
- Cell dysplasia can be pre-cancerous (Pap smear)
- Long latent period but rapid once starting
- Squamous cell carcinoma most common
Manifestations
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting, discharge (increased after intercourse)
- Pain (pelvic, back, leg)
- Hematuria, fistulas
Treatment of Cervical Cancer
- Removal of lesion
- Surgical removal of organs
- Radiation
- Chemo-radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Brachytherapy (inplant medication right into the cervix)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Involves upper reproductive tract
- Uterus to fallopian tubes to ovaries
- Caused by polymycrobial sexually transmitted organisms
- And more rarely, endogenous organisms
Risk Factors - 16-24 years old - Multiparity - Multiple sexual partners - h/o PID, IUD use risk for PID is enhanced during menstruation
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Manifestations
- Lower abdominal pain (just after menstruation)
- Cervical pain on manipulation
- Purulent discharge
- Bleeding (especially if on oral contraceptives)
- Fever
- Elevated WBC, ESR, CRP
Endometriosis
- Cells from the lining of the uterus flourish elsewhere
- Ectopic
- Cause is unknown, but 10-15% of premenopausal women have this
> Common sites for growth:
1. Ovary
2. Rectum
3. Uterus
4. bladder
Endometriosis Risk Factors and Manifestations
> Risk Factors
- Early/altered menarche
- Postponed childbearing
- Familial
- Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
> Manifestations
- Pain: pelvic, back, micturition, & defecation d/t bleeding during menstruation
- infertility
ovarian cysts
Endometriosis treatment
- Symptomatic (pain)
- Endometrial suppression
- Surgical removal
- Tissue
- Hysterectomy
- Hysterectomy & BSO
Endometrial Cancer & Risk factors and manifestations
- Most common Ca of female reproductive tract (adenocarcinoma type)
> Risk Factors - Post-menopause - Estrogen excess - Nulparity - Endometrial hyperplasia (cell changes in the endometrium) > Manifestations - Post menopausal painless bleeding
Disorders of Uterine Support
- Cystocele
Herniation of bladder into vagina (difficulty empyting bladder, frequency) - Rectocele
Herniation of rectum into vagina (discomfort, difficulty defecating) - Uterine prolapse
Bulging of uterus into vagina (discomfort, irritation of exposed membranes of cervix/vagina)
Ovarian Cysts Manifestations & Types
- Common, but often benign
> Manifestations - discomfort, aching
- Occasionally can rupture or become infected
> Types:
1. Follicle doesn’t burst and release ovum
2. Luteal cyst (from corpus luteum not dissolving)
3. Dermoid cyst - Benign “teratoma”
- Skin, hair, bone, nails, teeth, eyes, thyroid tissue
4. Chocolate cyst (caused by endometriosis)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Risks & Pathophysiology
- Affects 5-10% of reproductive aged women Risks: - Hormonal changes - Chronic anovulation causing amenorrhea - Obesity
Pathophysiology
- Follicles develop but don’t ovulate
- LH levels remain, stimulating androgen production, which stimulates cycle to continue
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Manifestations
- Menstrual irregularity
- Hyperandrogenism (male pattern baldness in women)
- Infertility
- Hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance
- Hypertension
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treatment
- Symptom relief
- Weight loss
- Oral contraceptives (to control hormonal levels)
- Spironolactone (inhibits androgen production by adrenal gland)
Ovarian Tumors
Benign Tumors (80% are!)
- Epithelial cell
- Endometriomas or “chocolate cysts”
- Fibromas
- Teratomas/dermoid cyst (serous/sebaceous/hair/teeth)
Functioning tumors: secrete hormones
- Estrogens: alter menstrual cycle
- Androgens: cause masculine characteristics