Gynae Flashcards
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Explain the basics of the menstrual cycle up to ovulation
- Multiple follicles develop under presence of FSH + then one dominates causing increased oestrogen conversion which has -ve feedback on FSH/LH
- Oestrogen rises to a point where it stops inhibiting hypothalamus + causes a spike in LH > ovulation
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Explain the basics of what happens after ovulation
- Corpus luteum (dominant follicle) produces progesterone which inhibits FSH/LH
- Egg fertilised = syncytiotrophoblast secretes hCG which maintains it
- Egg not fertilised = degenerates + so FSH/LH can rise again
1º AMENORRHOEA
What is primary amenorrhoea?
Absence of menstruation by –
- 13y if no secondary sexual characteristics
- 15y with secondary sexual characteristics (breast buds)
1º AMENORRHOEA
What is the difference between hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism?
- Deficiency in gonadotrophins (LH + FSH) stimulating ovaries due to abnormal hypothalamus or pituitary so low sex hormones (hypogonadism)
- Gonads fails to respond to stimulation of gonadotrophins meaning no negative feedback + increasing amounts of FSH/LH
1º AMENORRHOEA
What are some causes of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism?
- Constitutional delay (temporary delay, no pathology, ?FHx)
- Kallmann’s (failure to start puberty + anosmia)
- Excessive exercise, dieting or stress causes hypothalamic failure
- Endo = Cushing’s, prolactinoma, thyroid
- Damage (cancer, surgery, radiotherapy)
1º AMENORRHOEA
What are some causes of hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism?
- Gonadal dysgenesis e.g., Turner’s syndrome (XO)
- Congenital absence of ovaries
- Previous damage to gonads (torsion, cancer, infections like mumps)
1º AMENORRHOEA
What are some other causes of primary amenorrhoea and how may they present?
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia = tall, deep voice, facial hair
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome = 46XY but female phenotype
- Congenital malformations of genital tract e.g., imperforate hymen = regular painful cycles but amenorrhoea > haematocolpos
1º AMENORRHOEA
What are some initial investigations for primary amenorrhoea?
- FBC + ferritin (anaemia), U+E for CKD, anti-TTG for coeliac, urinary beta-hCG crucial
- FSH + LH (low = hypothalamic, high = gonads)
- TFTs, prolactin, free androgens
1º AMENORRHOEA
What further investigations might be useful in primary amenorrhoea?
- XR wrist to assess bone age + Dx constitutional delay
- Pelvic USS for structural causes
- Karyotyping for Turner’s syndrome, AIS
1º AMENORRHOEA
What is the management of primary amenorrhoea?
- Constitutional delay = reassurance + observe
- Primary ovarian insufficiency due to gonadal dysgenesis = HRT to prevent osteoporosis
2º AMENORRHOEA
What is secondary amenorrhoea?
- Absence of menstruation for 3–6m in women with previously regular menses, or 6–12m in women with previous oligomenorrhoea
2º AMENORRHOEA
What is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhoea and the non-pathological causes?
What are the pathological causes of secondary amenorrhoea?
- Pregnancy (most common), breastfeeding, menopause (physiological)
- Pituitary = Sheehan’s syndrome, hyperprolactinaemia (prevents GnRH)
- Ovarian = PCOS, premature ovarian failure
- Thyroid = hyper or hypothyroidism
- Asherman’s syndrome
- Hypothalamic failure = excessive exercise, stress or eating disorders
2º AMENORRHOEA
What hormonal tests would you do in secondary amenorrhoea?
- Urinary pregnancy test
- FSH/LH and androgens
- Mid-luteal (day 21) progesterone to check ovulation happened
- Prolactin + TFTs if indicated
2º AMENORRHOEA
What other investigations may you do in secondary amenorrhoea?
- Pelvic USS to Dx PCOS
- MRI head if ?pituitary tumour
MENORRHAGIA
What is menorrhagia?
- Blood loss during menses to the extent in which the woman’s QOL is affected
MENORRHAGIA
What are some causes of menorrhagia?
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding = no underlying pathology in about half
- Local = fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial polyps or cancer, PID, copper IUD
- Systemic = bleeding disorders (vWD), hypothyroidism
MENORRHAGIA
What are some investigations for menorrhagia?
- FBC for ALL women, ferritin (anaemia), clotting screen
- Transvaginal USS for underlying causes
- TFTs, STI screen if clinically indicated
FIBROIDS
What are fibroids?
- Benign tumours of the smooth muscle of the uterus (uterine leiomyomas)
FIBROIDS
What are the different types of fibroids?
- Intramural (most common) = within the myometrium
- Subserosal = >50% fibroid mass extends outside uterus
- Submucosal = >50% projection into the endometrial cavity
- Subserosal + submucosal can be pedunculated (on stalk = risk of torsion)
FIBROIDS
What are some associations with fibroids?
What are some risk factors?
- Grow in response to oestrogen so rare before puberty
- Black ethnicity, increasing age, early puberty, FHx + obesity
FIBROIDS
What is the clinical presentation of fibroids?
- Menorrhagia (#1)
- Pelvic pain
- Urinary symptoms (frequency, urgency)
- Subfertility
FIBROIDS
What are some investigations for fibroids?
- Abdo + bimanual exam = firm, enlarged, irregularly shaped non-tender uterus
- FBC for ALL women (?IDA)
- TV USS
FIBROIDS
What is a key complication of fibroids?
How does it present?
How is it managed?
- Red degeneration
- Growth in pregnancy due to rise in oestrogen so fibroid outgrows blood supply > ischaemia + degeneration
- Low-grade fever, severe abdo pain + vomiting > analgesia, fluids
FIBROIDS
What is the first line management of fibroids <3cm?
How is the management split after that?
- IUS (cautious if uterus distortion > specialist advice)
- Non-hormonal = does not want contraception
- Hormonal = wants contraception
- Surgical = severe or submucosal for hysteroscopic removal