Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding and Anovulation - Labarre Flashcards
Menses Phase
day 0-end of cycle around day 8
Proliferative Phase/Follicular Phase
day 8-14
Predominance of estrogen over progesterone and a build up of endometrium (prepping for implantation)
(Follicular – follicles growing and oocytes maturing)
Secretory Phase/Luteal Phase
day 14
Begins after ovulation triggers progesterone production
Marked by a reaction to the combination of estrogen and progesterone and stabilization in the thickness of the endometrium (ready for embryo)
(Luteal –LH transforming oocyte to corpus luteum)
Normal Menstrual Cycle
Hypothalamus secretes GnRH, stimulating the pituitary to secrete FSH/LH
FSH acts on the ovary to increase Estradiol and stimulate follicles which has negative feedback on FSH
LH also causes increase in Estradiol but there is positive feedback on the LH resulting in LH surge
LH surge increases estrogen resulting in ovulation within 48 hours
After ovulation -Follicle becomes corpus luteum - secretes progesterone.
Progesterone stabilizes the endometrium to prepare for fertilized egg
If no fertilization –corpus luteum regresses and progesterone drops resulting in unstable lining and menses.
If fertilized egg implants- hCG is secreted with acts like LH and maintains progresterone which in turn stabilizes the endometrium
Primary Amenorrhea
no spontaneous uterine bleeding by age 15 in the presence of normal sexual characteristics
- OR -
by age 13 in the absence of any secondary sexual characteristics
Secondary Amenorrhea
the absence of menstrual bleeding for >3 months in women with previously normal menses, or >6 months in women with irregular menses
General causes of Primary Amenorrhea
Gonadal dysgenesis- 43% (Turner syndrome)
Mullerian Agenesis – 15% (absence of vagina or uterus)
Physiological delay of puberty -14% (systemic illness)
PCOS -7%
GnRH deficiency – 5%
Transverse Vaginal Septum – 3%
Hypopituitarism- 2%
Anorexia/wt loss -2%
Causes of Secondary Amenorrhea
Adult Onset:
Hypothalamus- 35%
Pituitary – 17% (hyperprolactinemia, empty sella, sheehan syndrome, cushings syndrome)
Ovary - 40% (PCOS, primary ovarian insufficiency)
Uterus – 7% (uterine adhesions)
Other – 1 % (adrenal hyperplasia, ovarian and adrenal tumors, hypothyroidism)
Adolescent onset: Hypoandrogenism – from PCOS- 50%
disorders of outflow tract causing amenorrhea
Imperforate hymen (Cyclic pelvic pain/Primary Amenorrhea)
Transverse Vaginal Septum (similar to imperforate hymen)
Mullerian Agenesis (vaginal agenesis): Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome, Associated with uterine agenesis or rudimentary uterus
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome- 46 XY
Ashermans Syndrome (Intrauterine scar tissue/adhesions, Typically due to uterine trauma, surgical procedure (D&C, Ablation) or severe infection)
disorders of the ovary causing amenorrhea
Gonadal Dysgenesis/Agenesis – Chromosomal Abnormalities:
Turner Syndrome (45 XO): depletion of oocytes and follicles, Reduced negative feedback on FSH from Estradiol
46 XX Gonadal Dysgenesis: Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (clinical Menopause before 40), Secondary to Chemo, Radiation, Autoimmune
46 XY Gonadal Dysgenesis: Resistance to Testosterone due to androgen receptor defect, External genitalia typically female, Decreased anti-mullerian Hormone- Ovarian failure
PCOS (more later)
17 Alpha-Hydroxylase Deficiency: Decreased cortisol synthesis, overproduction of ACTH
disorders of the anterior pituitary causing amenorrhea
Pituitary adenoma- Hyperprolactinemia: Prolactin inhibits GnRH (so decrease in LH/FSH), Common cause of seconary amenorrhea, Rare cause of primary amenorrhea
Other Sellar Masses –cysts, meningiomas etc
Sheehan syndrome: Necrosis of pituitary- post partum or trauma
Damage to pituitary: Radiation, (infiltrative) hemochromatosis, sarcoidosis, lymphocytic hypophysitis, Medications – opiates, phenothiazines- can increase prolactin
Thyroid disease: Hypothyroid increases TSH which suppresses GnRH
disorders of CNS or hypothalamus
Functional Hypothalamic amenorrhea
Abnormal GnRH secretion –decreased LH surges, no follicular development, low estradiol; Eating disorders, Exercise, Stress –increases cortisol and decreases FSH/LH
Isolated GnRH deficiency (Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism)
Kallmann Syndrome –genetic
Tumors
Systemic Illness: resulting in decrease in GnRH secretion –Celiac, Type 1 DM, IBS, JRA, Syphillis, TB
Hx in evaluation of Amenorrhea
Menstrual history: Age of onset of menses, previous pattern
Reproductive history: Use of BCP’s, previous OB/GYN procedures, development (hair growth/acne), pregnancy, weight changes, menarche, menopause
General medical history: Endocrine/metabolic disorders, medications, illnesses, infections,
Medications: Marijuana – estrogenic activity, antipsychotic meds increase prolactin, cytotoxic drugs like Chemotherapy
Family history- sister/mother
Social history: Med student?, marathon runner? Nutritional or emotional stressors?
Physical exam in evaluation of Amenorrhea
Look for abnormal anatomy
Genital Development
BMI
Hair distribution
Gallactorrhea
Signs of Androgen excess, estrogen deficiency or estrogen excess
Diagnostic tests in evaluation of Amenorrhea
Labs: hCG – RULE OUT PREGNANCY!, Prolactin, FSH, TSH, CBC, Von Willebrand, PTT, INR, LFT, renal
If patient shows signs of hypogonadism on exam
add Total testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and DHEA-S
Pap smear
STD screening
Pelvic US, Consider MRI/CT – evaluate pituitary if concerned
Determine Relative Estrogen Status: Progesterone withdrawal test (use methylprogesterone)
