Female Reproductive Conditions Flashcards
What is menorrhagia?
excessive (heavy or lengthy) bleeding during recurrent menses
classified as >80mL/cycle
With women with menorrhagia, what labs/condition is most important to check for?
H&H and anemia
Causes of menorrhagia:
- hormonal imbalance
- disease
- neoplasm (new excessive growth of tissue)
- infections
- contraception (IUD)
What is oligomenorrhea?
infrequent menses, occurring greater than every 35 days OR scant flow at regular intervals
Main cause of oligomenorrhea:
OCPs
What is the term for a woman who bleeds < every 22 days?
polymenorrhea
metrorrhagia/intermenstrual
spotting between periods
Define endometriosis
when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterine cavity
Name 3 common places to find endometrial tissue outside of uterus
PELVIC CAVITY, peritoneal cavity, bladder, lung
What is the most common symptom for endometriosis?
pain that is increased with menses
*may have chronic pain
What is causing the pain in other areas?
The “displaced” endometrial tissue is bleeding in response to hormones of menstrual cycle and this causes inflammation, scarring, and tissue adhesion.
True or False:
The cause of endometriosis is unknown.
TRUE.
True or False:
Endometriosis is the leading cause of infertility and difficulty conceiving.
TRUE.
How does the pt with endometriosis commonly present?
- abnormal menses
- abdominal, vaginal, sacral, rectal pain
- diarrhea or constipation
- urinary complaints
- infertility
True or False:
The steps for diagnosing endometriosis include:
- pt history
- physical exam (external and internal - tender uterus, palpable nodules)
- laparoscopy w/ biopsy
TRUE
What is the best (gold standard) for dx of endometriosis?
lap with biopsy
True or False:
Endometriosis is curable.
FALSE.
Rationale: There is no cure for endometriosis, only management of symptoms and spread of tissue.
What are the three goals when treating a woman with endometriosis?
- control pain (NSAIDs?)
- slow progression of tissue growth
- restore fertility
What treatments are available for endometriosis?
- removal of growths, which significantly decreases pain
- hormones
- hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
What are the four types of hormone therapy used for tx of endometriosis?
- OCPs (if not wanting to get PG)
- progestins SQ x3months (causes atrophy of tissues)
- GnRH x6months (combats estrogen release)
- Mirena IUD x5yrs (thickens mucus and atrophies endometrium)
Can testosterone/aldosterone be used in tx of endometriosis?
YES.
Rationale: inhibit endometrial growth by suppressing ovulation and causing amenorrhea
What is the best time for a woman with endometriosis to try to get pregnant?
ASAP after treatment - this is when the condition is best controlled and she is most likely to conceive
What condition causes “chocolate” cysts?
endometriosis
cystocele
anterior bulge in the uterus due to displacement of the bladder - may appear in the vaginal canal
What causes cystocele, rectocele, uterine prolapse?
Pelvic floor relaxation - support structures no longer hold the organs in place
rectocele
posterior bulge caused by weakness of pelvic floor muscles (between rectum and vagina)
uterine prolapse
uterus drops into the vaginal canal
Causes of pelvic floor relaxation/ What causes cystocele, rectocele, uterine prolapse?
- aging
- constipation
- chronic coughing
- childbirth
Tx of pelvic floor relaxation
- KEGAL’s
- topical or systemic estrogen
- pessaries
Toxic Shock Syndrome
febrile condition that occurs during or within 5 days of menses or following childbirth
Prevention of TSS
- change tampons 3-6hrs
- avoid wearing tampons overnight
- avoid tampons for 6-8wks postpartum
True or False:
If a woman has had TSS, she can continue to use tampons and barrier birth control.
FALSE.
Rationale: She needs to avoid tampons and all barrier methods.
Key nursing role for TSS
educate women about prevention
Symptoms of Toxic Shock include
- fever >102 degrees
- rash on trunk
- dizziness and HYPOtension
- vomiting and diarrhea
- peeling of skin on hands and feet
Sx of TS Syndrome
- pathology involves 3+ organ systems
- coma
Common tx of TSS
- IV meds/fluids
- antibiotics
- oxygen
- vasopressors (constrict BVs to increase BP)
- tx of sepsis
What is cervical dysplasia?
abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix (considered a precancerous condition)
How can cancer be prevented r/t cervical dysplasia?
Early detection with Pap smear test
What is severe dysplasia called? What does this mean?
carcinoma in situ
the full thickness of the epithelium has been replaced with abnormal cells
Tx of cervical dysplasia/ carcinoma in situ?
- colposcopy
- endocervical curettage (ECC)
- loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)