Female Health FCM Flashcards
What is amenorrhoea?
What are the 2 types?
the absence or cessation of menstruation
- PRIMARY = failure to establish menstruation by the time of expected menarche
- SECONDARY = cessation of menstruation in women with previous menses
What is the causes Primary amenorrhoea?
- constitutional delay
- pregnancy
- genito-urinary malformations
- endocrine disorders
- androgen insensitivity syndrome
What are the causes of secondary amenorrhoea?
- primary ovarian insufficiency - PCOS
- hypothalamic dysfunction
- ambiguous genitalia
What are the risk factors associated with amenorrhoea?
excessive exercise obesity/overweight Family history of amenorrhoea Genetics eating disorders
List the signs and symptoms of primary amenorrhoea
not established menstruation by age of 13 alongside having no secondary sexual characteristics
not established menstruation by age of 15 but has developed secondary sexual characteristics.
List the signs and symptoms of secondary amenorrhoea
cessation of menstruation for 3-6months for a women who previously had normal and regular menses
cessation of menstruation for 6-12months for a women who previously has oligomenorrhoea (irregular)
what investigations/exams are done in primary amenorrhoea?
physical pelvic exam
pelvic ultrasound
bloods - serum prolactin, TSH, FSH, LH and total testosterone
what investigations/exams are done in secondary amenorrhoea?
bloods
- FSH, LS, prolactin level, total testosterone, TSH
Ultrasound scan done is PCOS suspected
How is primary amenorrhoea managed?
referral to secondary care specialist - either gynae or endocrinologist
manage certain obvious causes by
- encouraging weight gain or refer to dietician if required
- advise reducing exercise, increasing caloric intake and weight gain
- stress-related amenorrhoea would require measures of manage and improving coping strategies for stress.
if amenorrheoa persists for 12months, consider whether osteoporosis prophylaxis is required - this may involve HRT or COC pill.
How is secondary amenorrhoea managed?
manage the following causes of secondary amenorrhoea in primary care
- PCOS
- Hypothyroidism
- Menopause
- pregnancy
similar to primary amenorrhoea
- weight gain and reduce exercise
- stress relief/improving coping mechanisms
- manage chronic illnesses
- hypothalamic/pituitary causes e.g. tumour
what warrant a referral to gynae in amenorrhoea?
- persistent raised LH and FSH
- recent urterine/cervical surgery
- infertility
- suspected PCOS
what warrants a referral to endocrinologist?
- hyperprolactinaemia
- low FSH and LH
- increased testosterone not explained by PCOS
What is Dysmenorrhoea?
painful cramping, usually in the lower abdomen which occurs shortly during or before menstruation or both.
What are the 2 types of Dysmenorrhoea?
Primary Dysmenorrhoea - no underlying pathology but is caused by uterine production of prostaglandins during menstruation
Secondary Dysmenorrhoea- after several years of painless periods caused by an underlying pelvic pathology or IUD
what are the risk factors associated with Dysmenorrhoea?
Primary Dysmenorrhoea
- early age of menarche
- heavy menstrual flow
- nulliparity
- Family history
- stress
- smoking
- poor diet & obesity
Secondary Dysmenorrhoea
- dependent on the underlying cause
What are the signs and symptoms of Dysmenorrhoea?
- cramping/pain in the lower abdomen
- lower back pain
- nausea and vomiting
- lethargy and fatigue
What investigations/exams are done for Dysmenorrhoea?
physical abdo exam - fibroids/other masses
physical pelvic exam
consider ultrasound - to rule out fibroids, adenexal pathology and endometriosis or asses an IUD
consider high vaginal and endo-cervical swabs - if pt at risk of STI (any associated vaginal discharge/abnormal bleeding)
pregnancy test - exclude ectopic
How is primary Dysmenorrhoea managed?
- offer NSAID unless contraindicated
- either ibuprofen, naproxen, mefanamic acid etc
- paracetamol if NSAID contraindicated - if the pt doesn’t wish to concieve then consider prescribing a 3-6month trial of hormonal contraceptive as a first-line alternative
- if the response to individual treatments is insufficient then a combination of simple analgesia and hormonal contraception may be considered.
- consider recommending local application of heat or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to help reduce pain
- is symptoms don’t respond to initial treatment within 3-6months of there is doubt in diagnosis - refer to gyanecologist
How is secondary Dysmenorrhoea managed?
dependent on the underlying cause
suspect a serious secondary cause and refer urgently if any ‘red flags’ are present such as
- ascites and/or a pelvic/abdominal mass
- an abnormal cervix on examintion
persistent IMB, PCB with associated features of PID
- an ultrasound suggestive of cancer
What is premenstrual syndrome?
PMS is a condition characterised by psychological, physical, behavioural symptoms occurring in the luteal phase of the normal menstrual cycle.
What causes PMS?
Exact cause is unknown.
likely to be related to hormonal
- sensitivity to changes in progesterone levels
- oestrogen and progesterone also have an impact on neurotransmitters including GABA and serotonin