Female Genital Tract

Question 1

What is the cervical screening test?

Answer 1

Smear test - every 3 years from age 25-49. Every 5 years from 49-64. View cervix and take sample of cells.

Question 2

What is HPV?

Answer 2

Human Papilloma Virus.

STI, no symptoms, thought to be the main cause of CIN and therefore cervical cancer

Question 3

What do smear tests, test for?

Answer 3

Cervical Intra-Epithelial Neoplasia (CIN)
Cervical carcinoma
Endocervical polyps

Question 4

What is Cervical Intra-Epithelial Neoplasia (CIN)?

Answer 4

Micropscopic lesion that affects the cervix that could potentially develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.

Question 5

What are Endocervical Polyps?

Answer 5

Usually presents with ‘spotting’.

Bening lesions, can be removed by hysterectomy

Question 6

Describe Cervical Carcinoma

Answer 6

Abnormal cells and invasion of cervix. Can present with intra-menstrual and post-coital bleeding.

Question 7

Whats the treatment for Cervical carcinoma?

Answer 7

Depends on stage either local excision or radical hysterectomy +/- chemoradiotherapy

Question 8

What is menorrhagia?

Answer 8

Heavy periods caused by dysfunctional uterine bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, or polyps.

Question 9

What are fibroids?

Answer 9

Very common benign tumours. Arise from myometrium (uterine muscular wall). Can present with heavy or painful periods, pelvic pain or distension.

Question 10

What causes Endometritis and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Answer 10

Caused by infections, usually STI. Can present with abnormal discharge, pain or bleeding. Can be asymptomatic and is a major cause of infertility.

Question 11

What is endometritis?

Answer 11

Endometrial tissue in the wrong location i.e. outside the endometrium. Very common benign condition. Can present with heavy or painful period, pelvic pain, painful sex.

Question 12

Whats the treatment for endometritis?

Answer 12

COCP, Mirena, Zoladex, Surgery

Question 13

What are endometrial polyps?

Answer 13

Benign growth from endometrial cavity

Question 14

What is endometrial cancer?

Answer 14

Cancer of the lining of the uterus. Often presents as post menopausal bleeding and so detected early.

Question 15

What are risk factors for endometrial cancer?

Answer 15

Nulliparity (infertility), high BMI, HRT and late menopause

Question 16

How does endometrial carcinoma present?

Answer 16

Usually presents as post-menopausal bleeding.

Diagnosed by endometrial biopsy

Question 17

What are the risk factors for endometrial carcinoma?

Answer 17

Obesity and oestrogen exposure

Question 18

What are ovarian cysts?

Answer 18

Benign or malignant lumps in the ovary - ovaries usually need to be removed with the cyst if they are large.

Question 19

What are follicular cysts?

Answer 19

Benign cysts in the follicle of the ovary

Question 20

What are cystadenomas?

Answer 20

Large fluid filled cysts, symptoms caused by pressure effect.

Question 21

What are benign mature teratomas?

Answer 21

Large cysts filled with solid substances

Question 22

What is polycystic ovarian syndrome?

Answer 22

Common condition in which multiple cysts on ovaries. Usually presents as irregular periods, no periods, infertility

Question 23

What are the treatments for polycystic ovarian syndrome?

Answer 23

COCP, Metformin, Clomifene

Question 24

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

Answer 24

An extra uterine pregnancy usually occurring in the Fallopian tubes.

Question 25

What are the risk factors of ectopic pregnancy?

Answer 25

Fertility treatment, PID, previous ectopic, smokers