Gynae Disorders Flashcards
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are benign tumours of the smooth muscle of the uterus.
What are fibroids also known as?
Uterine leiomyomas
Are fibroids found in the endometrium?
No
Because they originate from the muscular layer of the uterus, the myometrium.
Fibroids are oestrogen sensitive.
WHat does this mean?
They grow in repsonse to oestrogen
Fibroids ar enamed based on their locations.
Name 3 types of fibroids locations.
- Intramural- means within the myometrium (the muscle of the uterus). As they grow, they change the shape and distort the uterus.
- **Subserosal **-means just below the outer layer of the uterus. These fibroids grow outwards and can become very large, filling the abdominal cavity.
3.Submucosal -means just below the lining of the uterus (the endometrium).
4.Pedunculated- means on a stalk.
Suggets 4 risk factors for fibroids?
1-Obesity
2-Increasing age
3-African american ethnicity
4-Family history
Fibroids are often asymptomtic but can also cause syptoms.
Suggest 6 symptoms/signs of fibroids.
Symptoms:
1. Heavy menstrual bleeding (Menorrhagia)
2. Abdominal pain
3. Dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)
4. Urinary or bowel symptoms
Signs:
1.Mass on bimanual palpation
2.Reduced fertiliy
3.Enlarged, firm, non-tender uterus.
How would you investigate suspected fibroids?
Bedside:
* History
* Abdominal examination
* Bimanual pelvic examination
* Speculum examiantion
Bloods:
* Reserved for patients whne diagnosis is unclear
Imaging:
* Pelvic Ultrasound
* Hysteroscopy
Endometriosis
Adenomyosis
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Polycystic Ovarian syndrome
Ovarian cyst
Ovarian torsion
