Endometriosis_Flashcards
Is it possible to guarantee a complete cure for endometriosis?
No, endometriosis is known to recur throughout reproductive life, so it is impossible to guarantee a complete cure.
What factors should treatment for endometriosis be based on?
Treatment for endometriosis should be based on the age, symptoms, extent of disease, and desire to have children.
What are the medical therapy options for endometriosis?
Medical therapy options for endometriosis include analgesics, COCP, progestogens, and GnRH agonists.
What analgesics are useful for reducing the severity of dysmenorrhoea and pelvic pain in endometriosis?
NSAIDs and/or paracetamol are useful for reducing the severity of dysmenorrhoea and pelvic pain in endometriosis.
Why should codeine/opiates be avoided in endometriosis patients with co-existing IBS?
Codeine/opiates should be avoided in endometriosis patients with co-existing IBS because they could worsen the condition.
How can the COCP be taken to alleviate symptoms of endometriosis?
The COCP can be taken for 21 days with a 7-day pill-free break, tricycled (3 packets taken back to back), or without a break to induce amenorrhoea.
Why should the COCP not be offered to patients trying to conceive?
The COCP should not be offered to patients trying to conceive because it prevents ovulation.
What progestogens are particularly effective for providing long-term therapeutic effect in endometriosis?
Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate and levonorgestrel IUS are particularly effective for providing long-term therapeutic effect in endometriosis.
Why should GnRH agonists not be used for more than 6 months?
GnRH agonists should not be used for more than 6 months due to the risk of osteoporosis.
What is the preferred management for endometriosis if fertility is a priority?
The preferred management for endometriosis if fertility is a priority is laparoscopy with excision or ablation of endometriosis plus adhesiolysis.
What adjunct treatment is recommended prior to fertility-sparing surgery for endometriosis?
Three months of GnRH agonists are recommended prior to fertility-sparing surgery for endometriosis.
What is the risk of recurrence following surgery for endometriosis?
The risk of recurrence following surgery for endometriosis is as high as 30%, so long-term medical therapy is often necessary and started straight after surgery.
When should hysterectomy and oophorectomy be considered in endometriosis?
Hysterectomy and oophorectomy should be considered in endometriosis for women who have completed their family and failed to respond to conservative treatments.
What are the risk factors for endometriosis?
Risk factors for endometriosis include early menarche, family history, nulliparity, prolonged menstruation (> 5 days), and short menstrual cycles (< 28 days).
How should the diagnosis of endometriosis be explained to a patient?
The diagnosis of endometriosis should be explained to a patient as a condition where the tissue that lines the womb starts appearing outside the womb.
