female health Flashcards
what is cystitis?
- Bladder infection usually caused by bacteria from the GI tract.
– Escherichia coli (70-95%)
what are the risk factors for UTI?
– Female (15-34 years)
– Pregnancy
– Sexual intercourse
– Hx or FHx of UTI
– Catheterization
– Immunosuppression
what are the symptoms of a UTI?
- Pain on urination (dysuria)
- Frequency
- Urgency
- Feeling of incomplete voiding of the bladder
- Nocturia
- Foul- smelling/ cloudy urine
- Suprapubic tenderness/ discomfort
- Delirium/ reduced functional ability
- All in the absence of discharge
how do you treat UTI?
- Acute uncomplicated UTI usually resolves within a few days.
– Should start to feel better within 3 days - Antibiotics can speed up recovery by approx. 24 hours
- Self care (first line)
– Drink plenty of fluids
– Paracetamol and/ or NSAID for symptomatic relief
– Hygiene- wipe front to back
– Avoid caffeine, alcohol and acidic drinks
– Do not resist urge to urinate
who are cystopurin contraindicated in?
– Male, children
* Cautions:
– Hypertension, pregnancy, CKD, CVD
when do you refer UTIs?
– No improvement in symptoms in 3 days
– Systemic symptoms: Fever, Chills, nausea, vomiting
– Severe pain in the loins
– Pregnant
– Children under 16 years
– Elderly patients in an acute confused state
– Failed treatment
– Patients presenting with haematuria
– Male patients
– Structural abnormality of genitourinary tract
– Immunosuppressed
– Uncontrolled diabetes
what causes thrush?
– Caused by Candida Albicans
what are the risk factors for thrush?
– Broad spectrum antibiotics- can you think of examples?
– Cushing’s disease
– Uncontrolled diabetes
– Medication: SGLT2 inhibitors, corticosteroids
– Immunosuppression (HIV, chemotherapy)
– Increase in endogenous and exogenous oestrogen: Pregnancy, COC
pill, HRT
– Local factors e.g. heat, moisture, maceration, topical corticosteroids,
local irritants
– Female
what are the symptoms of thrush?
- Vulval or vaginal itching (often the defining
symptom). - Vulval/ vaginal or penile soreness redness, burning
and irritation. - Vaginal/ penile discharge
– usually white, ‘cheese-like’, and non-malodorous. - Superficial dyspareunia.
- Dysuria (pain or discomfort during urination).
how do you treat thrush?
- Oral fluconazole 150mg capsule STAT dose
– CI in pregnant and breastfeeding female
– Usual azole interactions relevant
– Clotrimazole 2% external cream
* 16-60 years
* Applied bd to tds until symptoms improved
* >7 days see GP
what counselling advice should you give about thrush?
- Avoid tight fitting clothes especially synthetic materials
- Wear loose fitting, natural fibre underwear
- Avoid using perfumed products/soaps around genital area.
- Clotrimazole can damage condoms/diaphragms
- Should clear up within 7 to 14 days of starting treatment.
- You do not need to treat partner(s) unless they have symptoms
when should you refer thrush?
- First presentation
- Under 16 and over 60
- Diabetic
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- 2 episodes in 6 months
- Patient/ partner with history of STI
- Abnormal menstrual bleeding/ lower abdominal pain
- Systemic symptoms: fever, chills, lower back pain
- Foul smelling discharge- bacterial vaginosis?
- No improvement in 7 days
- Vulval or vaginal sores, ulcers or blisters
what causes bacterial vaginosis?
– Overgrowth of anaerobic organisms and a loss of lactobacilli. The vagina loses its normal acidity, and pH increases to greater than 4.5.
– Most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge
what are the risk factors for BV?
– Exact trigger is unknown
* Sexually active (but not an STI)
* Douches, deodorant, and vaginal washes
* Menstruation
* CuIUD
* Smoking
what are the symptoms of BV?
- Approximately 50% of women with BV are
asymptomatic - Fishy-smelling vaginal discharge
- Grey/white watery discharge
- Not usually associated with soreness, itching,
or irritation.
how do you treat BV?
- Refer to GP-cannot manage OTC
- Non-pregnant women with asymptomatic BV
do not usually require treatment - For symptomatic
– Oral metronidazole (1st line) or gel, clindamycin
cream
what counselling should you give for BV?
- Avoid: Douches, deodorant, and vaginal
washes
– Use water and plain soap to wash your genital
area
– Avoid perfumed soaps/ shower gel
– Do not put antiseptic liquids in the bath
what is dysmenorrhoea?
- Painful cramping, usually in the lower abdomen, which occurs shortly
before or during menstruation, or both - Thought to be caused by the production of uterine prostaglandins during
menstruation, which causes uterine contractions and pain.
what is the difference between primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea?
- Primary:
– Young females, pain begins with onset of period and lasts 24- 72 hours
– Starts 6-12 months after the menarche - Secondary: (refer)
– Associated with pelvic pathology e.g. fibroids, endometriosis, PID, IUD insertion
– Often starts after several years of painless cycles. Pain may continue after
menstruation stops. Irregular bleeding, chronic pain rather than cramping