GYNAE Flashcards
What are some differentials for menorrhagia?
DUB, fibroids, Endometriosis, PID, IUCD & other contraception
Hypothyroidism
Bleeding disorders e.g. von Willebrands
Endometrial cancer
What are the red flags for vaginal bleeding? (HINT there’s 7)
- Severe pain
- 5-12 wk since LMP
- Weight loss
- Post-menopausal bleeding
- Intermenstrual bleeding
- Postcoital bleeding
- Missed cervical smears
What are the symptoms & signs of DUB?
- anaemia (chronic IDA)
- heavy/prolonged PV bleeding
- menstrual irregularity
- fatigue, dyspnoea, pallor
- may have dysmenorrhoea
What are some risk factors for DUB?
- extremes of reproductive age
- PCOS
- endocrine disorders
- obesity
What is the investigations req to diagnose DUB?
It is a diagnosis of EXCLUSION
- Pregnancy test
- FBC (microcytic anaemia)
- STI screen
- Ferritin
- TFT - if suspect hypothyroidism
- Clotting screen
- Ensure cervical smear up to date
What is the different in management of women >45 and <45 with DUB?
(i) Those under 45 have such a small chance of endometrial pathology that further investigation is not required until a 3-month trial of medical management is attempted. (Totally erratic IMB or PCB should prompt search for pathology)
(ii) If over 45 or erratic IMB or PCB do:
- TVUSS: identifies fibroids and polyps. Measures endometrial thickness
- Pipelle endometrial biopsy: R/O hyperplasia or cancer
- Hysteroscopy: if over 45 and TVUSS reveals pathology
How is DUB managed (once pathology is ruled out)?
1st Line = Mirena Coil
- COCP is safe up to menopause if no CVD risk factors
If woman wants to NOT use contraception:
- Tranexamic acid 1g TDS on days 1-4 of cycle
- Mefenamic acid 500mg TDS days 1-5 (NSAID - if pain prominent feature)
If cycle/bleeding is irregular can use Cyclical (days 5-26) Norithestone
Surgical Options - only if family is complete:
- Endometrial ablation
- Hysterectomy = only definitive treatment
May also need to treat IDA with ferrous sulphate
GnRH analogues can achieve amenorrhoea by quickly inducing a menopausal state (use limited to 6-12 months due to bone loss)
What are the signs and symptoms of UTERINE FIBROIDS?
SIGNS:
- irregular, firm, central pelvic mass
- Hx of sub-fertility
SYMPTOMS:
Many are asymptomatic but menorrhagia = no. 1 symptom
- may also have pelvic pain, bloating/abdominal fullness and deep dyspareunia
What are some risk factors for developing uterine fibroids?
- Increased weight
- Aged over 40y
- Black ethnicity
What investigations are required for suspected fibroids?
A. TVUSS
B. Endometrial biopsy - should be normal (used to R/O endometrial cancer)
How are fibroids managed?
- Mirena IUS
- Leuroprelin for up to 3 months (GnRH analogue which shrinks fibroid)
- Mifepristone
- Naproxen PRN
- Myomectomy - preserves fertility
- Hysterectomy
What are red flags for heavy menstrual bleeding?
- Aged over 45y
- IMB
- PCB
- PMB
- Abnormal exam finding e.g. pelvic mass or lesion on cervix
- Treatment failure after 3 months
What are some complications which can occur as a result of uterine fibroids in situ?
- Pregnancy complications = premature labour, blocking of vaginal delivery, miscarriages
- Infertility
- Heavy bleeding - leading to anaemia
- Constipation
- Urinary outflow obstruction/UTIs
- Red Degeneration = haemorrhage infarct of the fibroid which usually occurs during pregnancy. Presents with abdominal pain, low grade fever and vomiting. Management is conservative
What are the main differentials for IMB?
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Spontaneous abortion/miscarriage
- STI
- Normal spotting as part of ovulation on day 14 of cycle
Define Threatened Miscarriage.
Painless vaginal bleeding before 24w (usually 6-9 wks)
- Bleeding often less than menstruation
- Cervical os is CLOSED
- complicates up to 25% pregnancies
Define Missed (Delayed) Miscarriage.
Loss of gestational sac before 20wk gestation without symptoms of expulsion
- Mothers have light vaginal bleeding and symptoms of pregnancy disappear
- Pain is usually NOT a feature
Define Inevitable Miscarriage.
Heavy bleeding with clots and pain
Cervical os is OPEN
Define Incomplete Miscarriage.
Not all products of conception are expelled
- Pain and PV bleeding
- Cervical os is OPEN
Define Complete Miscarriage.
Bleeding and pain cease
Cervical os is CLOSED
What initial assessment is required in a women presenting with a suspected miscarriage?
- Full medical + gynae Hx
- LMP
- Date of 1st +ve pregnancy test
- PV bleeding + its severity
- Pain (referred, shoulder tip, rectal) - Examination
- Vital signs
- Signs of hypovolaemic shock
- Abdominal exam
- Speculum exam
- Digital vaginal exam - TVUSS - diagnoses
- Crown-rump length of embryo 7mm or more with NO FHR. If smaller than 7mm then need to rescan in 7-days as too small to make decision
- Mean sac diameter is 25mm or less with NO yolk sac or embryo
How is a miscarriage managed?
- EXPECTANT
- For those with incomplete miscarriage.
- Need USS every 2 weeks, can take up to 6 weeks
- Should be offered surgical evacuation if expectant management unsuccessful
- ADV = avoids hospital, natural process
- DIS = uncertainty, coping with pain/bleeding at home, may be distressing - MEDICAL - Misoprostol given oral or vaginal, with Mifepristone given 24-48hr prior
- Bleeding can continue for 3 weeks and expulsion may be associated with pain and heavy bleeding.
- 24hr telephone service + facilities for emergency admission should be available - SURGICAL - suction curretage
- Performed in those with excessive/persistent bleeding or request it
- ADV = shorter process
- DIS = risk of infection, uterine perforation/adhesions, retained products, GA risk, hysterectomy req in 1/30,000
What are some risk factors for cervical carcinoma?
- HPV infection
- Early sexual activity with many partners
- Smoking
- HIV/Immunocompromised
- Use of COCP
What are the clinical features seen in someone presenting with suspected cervical cancer?
Often found incidentally on cervical smear
- PCB in about 40%
- IMB
- Increased or altered vaginal discharge
Signs of advanced disease = pelvic pain, leg pain, PR bleed, haematuria, altered bowels, urinary symptoms
Common sites of mets = lung, liver, bones
What investigations should be performed in suspected cervical carcinoma/CIN?
Send for urgent colposcopy if cancer suspected!
- Speculum + Bimanual
- Pregnancy test
- Triple swabs: R/O STI
- Colposcopy with punch biopsy
- TVUSS if post-menopausal to R/O endometrial cancer
How is cervical cancer/CIN managed?
CIN 1 = will regress spontaneously in 50-60% within 2y. So can conservatively monitor with colposcopy/cytology every 6months, LLETZ if persistent.
CIN3 or above = LLETZ required
Stage 1a1 = LLETZ
Stage 1a2 = Hysterectomy + B/L pelvic lymph node dissection
Stage 2b1 = inoperable, chemo only
What follow-up is required post-LLETZ?
(i) LOW GRADE = follow up with cytology + HPV testing at 6months. If negative then repeat in 3y.
(ii) HIGH-GRADE = follow up cytology + test of cure hrHPV at 6 months. If negative smear in 3y.
What are risk factors for cervical ectropion?
High levels of oestrogen induce cervical ectropion:
- COCP
- Pregnancy
- Adolescence
- Menstruating age
What are the symptoms + signs of cervical ectropion?
SYMPTOMS:
- PCB, IMB, excessive non-purulent discharge
SIGNS:
- O/E may be a red looking area around the os, which should not be confused with other conditions such as cervicitis.
What investigations are required for a diagnosis of cervical ectropion?
Diagnosed clinically, but other DDx must be R/O:
- pregnancy test
- triple swabs
- cervical smear
How is cervical ectropion managed?
Usually no treatment is required, but if it is particularly troublesome, then you could try cessation of the COCP, or in serious cases, ablation therapy may be used.
What are cervical polyps?
Benign growths protruding from inner surface of cervix
Typically asymptomatic, but a very small minority can undergo malignant change
What are the typical clinical features of cervical polyps?
Typically asymptomatic
- abnormal bleeding = PCB, IMB, PMB, menorrhagia
- large polyps may cause infertility
What investigations are required to diagnose cervical polyps?
Can only definitively be made after histology done after removal
A. Triple swabs
B. Cervical smear
How are cervical polyps managed?
Should be REMOVED due to small risk of malignant transformation
- the excised polyp is sent for histology for definitive diagnosis
What are the most common DDx for post-coital bleeding? (Hint there are 3 main ones)
- CERVICAL CARCINOMA
- infection with HPV 16 or 18
- Can also present as IMB - CERVICAL ECTROPION
- squamocolumnar junctions extends under normal hormonal influence - CERVICAL POLPY
- May bleed on contact
- Can also present as IMB
What is CIN? What are Risk factors for it?
It is a precancerous formation of cervical epithelium for which HPV infection is necessary pre-requisite
Risk Factors = Persistent high risk HPV infection, Multiple partners, Smoking, Immunocompromised, COCP (as not using barrier methods)
What screening is currently performed in the UK to screen for CIN and cervical carcinoma?
Every 3 years for women 25-49y. Every 5y from 50-64y.
- If not sexually active then not required to partake
Smear performed to test for hrHPV types:
(i) Negative hrHPV = return to normal recall
(ii) Positive hrHPV = examine samples cytologically.
- If cytology abnormal = COLPOSCOPY
- if cytology normal, repeat hrHPV in 12 months. If still the same then repeat in another 12 months. After this still hrHPV +ve and cytology normal then do colposcopy
(iii) If sample ‘inadequate’:
- repeat in 3 months
- if 2 inadequate samples then perform colposcopy
What does CIN look like on colposcopy? (Types I to III)
- Aceto-white epithelium
- Vascular abnormalities
- Bizarre/abnormal vessels
CIN I = bottom 1/3rd
CIN II = bottom 2/3rd
CIN III = full thickness
How is CIN managed?
(i) Low Grade = CIN I
- 50-60% regress after 2y
- conservative monitoring with colposcopy/cytology every 6-months
- LLETZ if persistent
(ii) High Grade - CIN II + III
- LLETZ
Follow up = test of cure smear @ 3-6 months
What are the (i) short term and (ii) long term complications of a LLETZ procedure?
(i) haemorrhage, infection, vaso-vagal reaction, anxiety
ii) cervical stenosis, cervical incompetence (premature delivery
What are the main differentials for post-menopausal bleeding?
- Endometrial carcinoma
- Atrophic vaginitis
- Endometrial hyperplasia
What are the risk factors for endometrial carcinoma?
- Increasing age
- Obesity
- Tamoxifen
- PCOS
- Unopposed oestrogen exposure = early menopause, late menarche, HRT or COCP use, nulliparity
What are the symptoms + signs of endometrial carcinoma?
Presents as PMB or IMB, can have increased vaginal discharge
Signs of advanced disease = abdominopelvic mass, leg swelling, haematuria, PR bleeding, weight loss
What investigations are performed in suspected endometrial carcinoma?
A. TVUSS - endometrial thickness over 5mm is abnormal
B. Pipelle biopsy
C. Hysteroscopy + curretage biopsy
D. Determine spread + fitness for surgery = CT/MRI, Bloods (FBC, U+E, glucose), CXR, ECG
What is the management for endometrial carcinoma? (There are 3 stages!)
Stage 1 = total abdominal hysterectomy + bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy
Stage 2 = exploratory laparotomy + adjuvant chemotherapy
Stage 3 = Maximal de-bulking surgery + adjuvant chemo