Gynae + GUM Flashcards
what are the different types of miscarriage?
threatened - bleeding, but foetus still alive (can hear HR), good size for dates and os closed
inevitable/incomplete - bleeding, foetus might still be alive, but os is open
complete - all foetal tissue passed (empty sac on scan), os closed, bleeding diminished
septic - uterine contents infected, causing endometritis, offensive loss, tender uterus
missed miscarriage - not picked up till scan, or bleeding a long time after baby stopped developing/died - os closed, uterus small
what causes miscarriage?
often unknown - isolated non-recurring chromosomal abnormalities account for >60% of one off miscarriages
if had 3+ consecutively - consider causes of recurrent miscarriage
what are the clinical features suggesting miscarriage?
bleeding is main one.
often around 12 weeks.
may have pain from uterine contractions - be careful not to mix up with ectopic
how would you investigate a woman presenting with what you suspect might be a miscarriage?
examine - uterine size/cervical os depends on type of miscarriage.
USS for a viable intrauterine pregnancy - if in doubt, repeat scan in a week
blood HCG - levels should rise by >66% in 48h if pregnancy is viable (i.e. take one, then take another in two days and compare)
describe the different management options for miscarriage
expectant management - might use if not heavily bleeding, particularly for incomplete miscarriage (offer rescan in 2 weeks to ensure completed)
medical management - mifepristone to prime, then 24-48h later misoprostal/prostaglandin (oral or vaginal). bleeding can continue for 3 weeks. most successful in earlier miscarriages.
surgical management - if heavy or persistent bleeding, or pt request - surgical evac of retain products of concept (ERPC), under GA.
define recurrent miscarriage
loss of 3+ consecutive pregnancies at <24 weeks, by same biological father.
affects 1% of women.
list some possible causes of recurrent miscarriage
antiphospholipid abs –> thrombosis in the uteroplacental circulation, treat with aspirin and LMWH
chromosomal defects - e.g. a balanced translocation in parents
anatomical factors e.g .uterine abnormalities, more common with late miscarriage though
infection - BV associated with 2nd trimester loss
others - obesity, smoking, PCOS, maternal age, excess caffeine
what happens during days 1-4 of the menstrual cycle?
menstruation!
endometrium shed as its hormonal support is withdrawn
myometrial contraction can –> cramps/pain
what happens during days 5-13 of the menstrual cycle?
proliferative phase:
- GnRH pulses (from hypothalamus) stimulate LH and FSH release –> follicular growth
- follicles produce oestradiol and inhib –> suppress FSH (neg feedback), so only one follicle/oocyte matures
- as oestradiol rises, ‘positive feedback’ on hypothalamus and pituitary –> LH levels to rise sharply
- ovulation occurs 36h after LH surge
- oestradiol causes endometrium to re-form + become ‘proliferative’ –> thickens as stromal cells proliferate, glands elongate
what triggers ovulation in menstrual cycle / when does it occur?
LH surge - ovulation occurs 36h after.
LH surge occurs after oestradiol levels have risen to certain point (I think)
what happens during days 14-28 of the menstrual cycle?
luteal/secretory phase
- follicle from which egg was released becomes corpus luteum - produces oestradiol and progesterone
- progesterone levels peak a week later (day 21)
- this triggers ‘secretory’ changes in endometrium where stromal cells enlarge, glands swell, and blood supply increases
- towards end of luteal phase, corpus luteum starts to fail if egg not fertilized, so progesterone + oestrogen levels decrease
- endometrium then breaks down as this hormonal support is removed, and cycle restarts
differentiate between the following:
- primary amenorrhoea
- secondary amenorrhoea
- oligomenorrhoea
amenorrhoea = absence of menstruation
primary = menstruation hasn’t started by age 16
secondary = prev normal menstruation stops for >6 months
oligomenorrhoea = menstruation occurs every 35 days to 6 months
what five things need to be ‘normal’ for ‘normal’ menstruation to occur?
OR - what five different things can cause pathological problems with menstruation?
for normal menstruation you need:
- hypothalamic function
- pituitary function
- ovarian function
- endometrial function
- patent cervix and vagina (‘outflow tract’)
so - menstrual disturbance can be caused by issues on any of these 5 levels
what is ‘physiological’ secondary amenorrhoea?
amenorrhoea due to pregnancy or menopause - by far the most common causes of amenorrhoea
give some causes of post-coital bleeding
cervical trauma, polyp, cervical/endometria/vaginal carcinoma, cervicitis or vaginitis of any cause
explain how you decide how to investigate primary amenorrhoea?
in absence of pubertal development - investigate as for delayed puberty
if normal puberty - exclude genital tract anomaly, then investigate as for secondary amenhorrhoea
abnormal pubertal development - exclude chromosomal anomaly (e.g. Turner’s) and causes of hyperandrogenism
what is the main hypothalamic cause of secondary amenorrhoea? how do you diagnose/treat?
hypothalamic hypogonadism - due to psychological factors (stress), low weight/anorexia, excessive exercise
GnRH (+ thus LH/FSH) low - although may see normal LH/FSH
treat - supportive + oestrogen replacement (COCP/HRT)
what pituitary causes of secondary amenorrhoea are there? how do you diagnose/treat?
hyperprolactinaemia - due to pituitary hyperplasia or benign adenomas, can be due to thyroid issues
treat - bromocriptine, cabergoline (dopamine agonists, as normally negatively regulated by dopamine) or sometimes surgery
what are the key ovarian disorders that lead to secondary amenorrhoea?
PCOS - most common
tumours
ovarian insufficiency/failure aka premature menopause
congenital - Turner’s, gonadal dysgenesis
what tests might you order if a woman came to clinic with secondary amenorrhoea?
- beta HCG
- serum free androgen index (raised in PCOS)
- FSH/LH
- prolactin
- TFT
- testosterone levels
- may do MRI if prolactin levels really high
how would you manage a woman with secondary amenorrhoea?
treatment depends on cause
can involve HRT/COCP use to replace oestrogen
correct genital tract anomaly if poss
weight gain/stress management/reduction of extreme exercise
for PCOS - main treatment is weight loss, might use COCP or metformin
define menorrhagia
menstrual blood loss >80ml per period
clinically - blood loss affecting quality of life
give some possible causes of menorrhagia
uterine fibroid (30%)
uterine polyps (10%)
thyroid disease, clotting disorder
endometrial carcinoma
endometriosis/adenomyosis
PID
iatrogenic - copper coil, anticoagulants
NO KNOWN CAUSE - ‘dysfunctional uterine bleeding’
how do fibroids cause menorrhagia?
1) by enlarging uterine cavity, leading to increased surface are of endometrium for bleeding to come from (this is similar to how polyps cause menorrhagia)
2) might produce prostaglandins, which might cause menorrhagia
what tests might you order for a woman complaining of menorrhagia?
- FBC, maybe also TFTs and clotting studies
- pelvic/transvaginal USS to assess for polyps/fibroids (endometrial thickness)
- if woman >40yrs, or women <40y with history/scan results that are suspicious, do endometrial biopsy (via hysteroscopy)
- hysteroscopy is also the best way to rule out fibroids/polyps for sure
how do you treat a woman suffering menorrhagia?
- correct anaemia, treat any systemic causes/focal pathology
- medical treatment - Mirena coil 1st line, then transexamic acid, NSAIDs (mefenamic acid) or COCP 2nd line, then high dose progestogens or GnRH agonist (for 6 months only)
- surgical treatment - only if unresponsive to medications - endometrial ablation (reduces fertility), myomectomy or uterine artery embolization (retain fertility) - if fibroids >3cm and no wish for further fertility then consider hysterectomy
what is a myomectomy?
open or laparoscopic removal of fibroids from myometrium
used when woman wishes to retain fertility, as endometrial ablation/hysterectomy renders women infertile
define postmenopausal bleeding
vaginal bleeding >12 months after LMP
ALWAYS exclude malignancy
list some causes of postmenopausal bleeding
ovary - Ca ovary, oestrogen-secreting tumour
uterus - submucous fibroid, atrophic changes, polyp, endometrial carcinoma/hyperplasia (premalignant)
cervix - atrophy, polyp, squamous Ca or adenocarcinoma
vulva - vulvitis, malignancy, dystrophy
vagina - atrophic vaginitis
withdrawal bleed from HRT
haematuria/PR bleed
PREGNANCY - if not truly menopause!
how would you investigate a woman presenting to clinic complaining of postmenopausal bleeding?
perform bimanual examination, speculum exam, might do smear (cytology) if cervical pathology - or refer for colposcopy. pipelle biopsy if suspicious of cancer.
transvaginal US - looking for endometrial thickness, other pelvic pathology
if endometrial thickness >4mm or fluid-filled cavity, do hysteroscopy and biopsy
how do you treat postmenopausal bleeding?
depends on cause!
most common cause = atrophic changes - oestrogen replacement, usually topical (creams, rings, vaginal tablets)
might use systemic HRT - must combine with progesterone/progestogen in women with a uterus!
list some causes of intermenstrual/postcoital bleeding
cervix - ectopy, polyp, malignancy, cervicitis
intra-uterine - polyps, submucous fibroids, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial malignancy, endometritis
hormonal - breakthrough bleeding
also anovulatory cycles - irregular bleeding common just after menarche/before menopause
how would you investigate a woman with intermenstrual bleeding?
- FBC
- might do vaginal/speculum exam
- cervical smear if needed
- US pelvis if >35y
- endometrial biopsy/hysteroscopy if indicated
what is primary vs secondary dysmenorrhoea?
primary = pain without organ pathology
secondary = pain secondary to a pathology
what causes secondary dysmenorrhoea?
adenomyosis, endometriosis, PID, fibroids
treat cause, avoid IUCD (copper coil)
what causes primary dysmenorrhoea?
excess prostaglandins cause painful uterine contractions, producing ischaemic pain.
hx - crampy, radiates to back/groin, worse in first couple of days
what treatment options are there for dysmenorrhoea?
NSAIDs e.g. mefenamic acid - inhibit prostaglandins so reduce contractions and thus reduce pain
COCP can help by stopping ovulation
briefly describe the anatomy of the uterus
- supported by uterosacral and cardinal ligaments
- anteverted in 80%, retroverted in 20%
briefly describe the blood/lymphatic supply of the uterus
uterine arteries supply uterus, there’s an arterial anastomosis with ovarian blood supply at the cornu.
inferiorly there’s an anastamosis with vaginal vessels.
lymph = internal and external iliac nodes
briefly describe the structure/function of endometrium
supplied by spiral and basal arteries
spiral arteries are responsible for menstruation and nourishment of growing foetus
endometrium responds to oestrogen and progesterone
what are uterine fibroids?
benign tumours of myometrium, aka leiomyomata
20% of women (50% if Afro-Caribbean)
more common closer to menopause, less common in women who’ve had a baby.
might be intramural, subserosal or submucosal
what causes fibroids?
their growth is oestrogen and progesterone dependent
tend to regress after menopause due to a reduction in circulating oestrgoen (NB - HRT might mean fibroids continue to grow post-menopause!)
what clinical features might you see in a woman with uterine fibroids?
50% asymptomatic, incidental finding.
mentstrual probs - menorrhagia, sometimes IMB
pain - dysmenorrhoea
large fibroids might be pressing on bladder
intramural fibroids can lead to subfertility
what are the effects of fibroids in pregnancy?
might have prem labour, malpresentations, transverse lie, obstructed labour, PPH
how might you investigate uterine fibroids?
might be initially seen as endometrial thickening on transvaginal US
MRI/laparoscopy/hysteroscopy
if postmenopausal - pipelle biopsy
what are the treatment options for fibroids?
if small, slow-growing and asymptomatic, consider no treatment.
medical - could try some stuff but usually need surgery - GnRH analogues (goserelin) taken 3-6m before surgery to shrink. ulliprista acetate can be used like this too.
myomectomy - gives best chance of preserving fertility - if not hysteroscopic, counsel re need fo C section deliveries.
uterine artery embolism - interventional radiology.
hysterectomy - only cure!
what is adenomyosis?
where there is endometrium/stroma within the myometrium
most common age 40 ish, associations with endometriosis and fibroids
how might adenomysosis present? how would you investigate?
asymptomatic
might have dysmenhorroea/menorrhagia
TVU or MRI
how do you treat adenomyosis?
trial mirena / COCP+NSAIDs to control menorrhagia/dysmenhorroea
often requires hysterectomy in the end
if asymptomatic just leave it ?? I think
what is endometritis?
uterine infection - secondary to STI, surgery, foreign tissue (e.g. IUS, retained POC)
if postmenopausal - often due to malignancy
what clinical features might make you think of endometritis? how would you treat?
uterine tenderness, systemically unwell/signs of infection, relevant hx (e.g. recent delivery)
treat w/ abx and surgical evac of retained POC if needed
what are intrauterine polyps?
small benign tumours growin into uterine cavity, usually endometrial.
common age 40-50 when oestrogen levels high
occasionally malignant
what clinical features might lead to a diagnosis of uterine polyps? how would this be picked up (investigations)?
might be asymptomatic/incidental finding
often menorrhagia and IMB.
diagnosed at USS/hysteroscopy
how do you manage a woman with uterine polyps?
resection of poly with cutting diathermy should cure abnormal bleeding - ?done at hysteroscopy/as endometrial ablation - not sure on this
what is a haematometra?
menstrual blood accumulating in uterus because of outflow obstruction
briefly describe the anatomy and function of the cervix
tubular structure, continuous with uterus, 2-3cm long
made of elastic connective tissue. attached to uterosacral and cardinal ligaments.
supplied by upper vaginal branches and uterine artery
lymph drains to obturator and internal/external iliac nodes, up to common iliac and para-aortic nodes
briefly describe the histology of the cervix
endocervix is lined by columnar (glandular) epithelium.
ectocervix (continuous with vagina) is squamous epithelium.
two cell types meet at ‘squamo-columnar junction’.
during pregnancy/puberty, partial eversion of cervix exposes new area of columnar epithelium which undergoes metaplasia to squamous epithelium - this is transformation zone, and is the usual site of cervical carcinoma
what is a cervical ectropion?
when columnar epithelium of endocervix is visible as red area around the os - due to eversion of cervix, normal finding in younger women, also common in pregnancy
what clinical features might you see in a woman with a cervical ectropion?
asymptomatic
or - change in vaginal discharge, or postcoital bleeding
how do you treat a cervical ectropion?
once a smear +/- colposcopy has excluded carcinoma - treat with cryotherapy/cautery with diathermy IF symptomatic/patient wishes
what are cervical polyps? how do they present, how would you treat?
benign tumours of endocervical epithelium.
asymptomatic or IMB/PMB
treat - avulsion without anaesthetic, or in older women might need a TV USS or hysteroscopy to exclude intrauterine polyps
what is cervicitis?
might be follicular or mucopurulent - presents with discharge. result of infection/inflammation.
causes - chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes.
chronic cervicitis usually a mixed infection.
can mask neoplasia on a smear so be careful!
briefly describe the cervical cancer screening programme in England
all sexually active women age 25-64yrs
3 yearly for woman 25-50yrs, then 5 yearly until 64 (if normal)
how would you manage a woman with borderline changes or mild dyskaryosis on her smear?
do a high-risk HPV test, and if positive refer to colposcopy - if negative, repeat smear in 3 yrs
how would you manage a woman with moderate dyskaryosis on smear?
referral to colposcopy - colposcopy appt within 2 weeks
how would you manage a woman with severe dyskaryosis on smear?
referral to colposcopy - colposcopy appt within 2 weeks
how would you manage a woman with suspected invasion on smear?
referral to colposcopy - colposcopy appt within 2 weeks
how would you manage a woman with abnormal glandular cells on smear?
referral to colposcopy - colposcopy appt within 2 weeks
how would you manage a woman with 3 consecutive inadequate smear samples?
routine colposcopy referral (6 weeks ish)
what is cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?
presence of intraepithelial cells within squamous epithelium - a pre-malignant phase of cervical cancer
severity graded I-III depending on extent to which these cells are found in epithelium - histological diagnosis.
what factors are associated with cervical cancer?
HPV 16, 18, 31 and 33 = really associated with CIN/cancer (vaccinations against 16 and 18 currently, plus 6 and 11 which cause warts).
no. sexual contacts thus associated with cancer - note that whether these are same/opposite sex doesn’t make a difference!
other factors = oral contraceptive and smoking.
briefly describe the pathology of cervical cancer
as columnar epithelium undergoes metaplasia in transformation zone, exposure to certain HPV results in incorporation of viral DNA into cell DNA - viral proteins inactivate key cell tumour suppressor gene products
what will be performed at colposcopy clinic following suspicious smear test results?
cervix inspected using speculum and colposcope
5% acetic acid used as dye - different grades of CIN have characteristic appearances - ‘acetowhite’
biopsy usually taken for histological diagnosis
if strong acetowhite patches ‘see and treat’ - sample taken for biopsy, but then definitive treatment performed immediately - transformation zone excised with cutting diathermy under local anaesthetic.
LLETZ = large loop excision of transformation zone
risks are of post op bleeding and future preterm deliveries.
what are treatment options for cervical cancer (i.e. cervical intraepithelial neoplasia & early-stage 1A)?
LLETZ or cone biopsy
(Large loop excision of transformation zone)
how might cervical malignancy present if not detected and treated via screening and colposcopy?
might see postcoital or post-menopausal bleeding, watery vaginal discharge (might be offensive)
briefly describe the anatomy of the ovaries
sit in ovarian fossa on lateral pelvic wall, overlying ureters
attached to broad ligament by mesovariaum, and to pelvic wall by infundibulo pelvic ligament
blood supply = ovarian artery
outer cortex covered by germinal epithelium
inner medulla contains connective tissue and blood vessels
cortex contains follicles and theca cells
what are the different types of ovarian ‘accidents’?
accidents = acute presentations of ovarian cysts
rupture - of contents into peritoneal cavity, causes intense pain
haemorrhage - into cyst or peritoneal cavity, again pain
torsion - of the pedicle, causes infarction of ovary and tube - severe pain, need urgent surgery and detorsion to rescue ovary
when might you be worried about an ovarian cyst?
> 5cm
symptomatic woman
complex/multilobular appearance on scan
postmenopausal woman
what is the classical presentation of ovarian torsion?
severe sudden onset lower abdo pain and vomiting - pain may improve after 24h as ovary dies off
cyst rupture presents similarly but likely to also have features of haemorrhagic shock
how would you investigate a woman presenting with acute pain that you suspect is related to an ovarian ‘accident’?
TV USS - helps distinguish between benign and malignant masses - if stable!
if unstable - urgent laparotomy
what management options are there for premenopausal women with an ovarian cyst?
if <5cm and asymptomatic - do nothing, maybe rescan in 6 weeks to check on it.
if >5cm, suspicious appearance on scan or symptomatic - laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy, taking care not to spill cyst contents into cavity - aiming to preserve fertility
How do we decide which management options are appropriate for postmenopausal women with an ovarian cyst?
determine whether malignant - risk of malignancy index (RMI) - uses US scan, menopausal status, CA125 level, multilocularity, solid areas, metastases, ascites, bilaterally of lesions.
determines risk of malignancy and thus management
low risk <5cm cyst = conservative management with repeat TV US and CA125 every 4 months (discharge after a yr of no change)
moderate risk = bilateral oophorectomy
high risk = staging laparotomy and treat according to staging
give some risk and protective factors for ovarian cancer
nulliparity
early menarche and/or late menopause
BRCA 1 and 2
HPNCC
protective - lots of pregnancies, breastfeeding, COCP, tubal ligation (female sterilization)
what is the role of screening in ovarian cancer?
still not sure if there is one
consider yearly TV US and CA125 (marker) if there’s an identified gene mutation
how might ovarian cancer present?
often vague and mistaken for IBS/diverticular disease
bloating
unexplained weight loss/loss of appetite
fatigue
urinary symptoms / change in bowel habit
abdo or pelvic pain
vaginal bleeding
palpable mass
what is the mechanism of spread of ovarian cancers?
local spread throughout pelvis
how are ovarian cancers managed?
staging laparotomy with removal of as much cancer as possible, including hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy if needed
basically everyone offered chemo
what is lichen simplex? how would you manage it?
presents with chronic intractable itching, esp at night, in women with sensitive skin/eczema
chronic inflammatory skin condition - vulva and surrounding area inflamed and thickened with hyper- and hypo-pigmentation.
avoid soap/irritants, use of emollients, moderately potent steroid creams, antihistamines
what is lichen planus and how would you manage it?
unknown cause. presents with vulval pain more commonly than itch.
flat, purple, popular lesions.
treat = high potency topical steroids
what is lichen sclerosis? how would you treat it?
possibly autoimmune cause, condition where elastic tissue starts to turn to collagen later in life.
severe pruritus, worse at night - might see bruises/bleeding/dyspareunia as result of scratching
initially pink papules, gradually vulva becomes white, flat and shiny.
can cause adnhesions leading to fusion of labia/narrowing of introitus.
biopsy to check for Ca and monitor as may be pre-malignant.
treat = Clobetasol propionate (high potency steroid) cream, if severe and unresponsive to steroids then consider tacrolimus
what are Bartholin’s cysts/abscesses?
blockage of duct in the Bartholin’s glands causes cyst formation, or abscess if becomes infected.
becomes severely painful (can’t sit down!) - huge, hot, swollen labium
treat = masupialisation (incision and drainage, then stitched to it stays open to prevent a new cyst)
what is vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia?
atypical cells in vulval epithelium - premalignant vulval disease.
usual type = warty, basaloid or mixed. associated with HPV, CIN, smoking - multifocal, red/white/pigmented, plaques/papules/patches, erosions, nodules, warty or hyperkeratosis
differentiated type - rarer, older women - unifocal ulcer or plaque
how might VIN present? how is it treated?
pruritus/pain leading to vaginal examination where lesions might be seen - surveillance key, biopsy any suspicious lesions.
some regression seen with use of imiquimod cream.
emollients/steroids to manage symptoms whilst monitoring.
surgical excision if necessary.
what is vulval carcinoma and how may it present?
refer any unexplained vulval lumps urgently!
cancer of vulva - 90% squamous, may also be melanoma, BCC or carcinoma of Bartholin’s glands.
presentation - lump, ulcer (often presents late with an ulcer leading to pain and bleeding, as otherwise it might not get noticed).
how is vulval carcinoma treated?
small tumour = local excision only
larger = wide local excision+ ipsilateral groin node biopsy
radio/chemo have role in shrinking tumour pre-op
give basic info about vaginal cancer
v. rare, possibly HPV related, often metastatic from cervical, uterine or vulval cancers.
most common in upper third of vagina, presents usually with bleeding.
treat with radiotherapy, poor prognosis
list some risk factors for endometrial cancer
unopposed oestrogen
obesity/T2DM/HTN
nulliparity (pregnancy = high progesterone = protective)
anovulatory cycles e.g. PCOS (no corpus luteum = less progesterone)
early/late menopause
genetics - HNPCC
breast Ca - similar lifestyle factors + tamoxifen use
oestrogen-only HRT
protective - parity, COCP use
how does endometrial cancer usually present?
91% = postmenopausal women
most present with PMB
if premenopausal - heavy/irregular bleeding
how is endometrial cancer investigated/diagnosed?
exam often normal
TV USS shows endometrial thickness >4mm - biopsy then performed (pipelle in OPD or can do hysteroscopy)
CT/MRI used to stage
how is endometrial cancer treated?
depends on stage and functional status of patient.
If early stages - total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, nothing else needed.
later stages may use radiotherapy, or also high dose progesterones
pretty good prognosis overall
what is a prolapse?
descent of uterus and/or vaginal walls beyond normal anatomical confines - result from weakness in supporting structures.
not a risk to health, unless severe enough to cause ureteric obstruction.
exacerbated by menopause
list the different types of prolapse
urethrocele
cystocele
enterocele
rectocele
uterine descent/uterine prolapse/apical prolapse (seen different names in different places)
basically named according to structures involved, can have more than one type at once
what is a urethrocele?
prolapse of lower anterior vaginal wall, involving urethra
what is a cystocele?
prolapse of upper anterior vaginal wall, involving balder - there’s often also prolapse of urethra (‘cystourethrocele’).
residual urine within cystocele might cause frequency and dysuria.
what is an apical prolapse/uterine prolapse/uterine descent?
when whole uterus prolapses down towards vagina, taking cervix and upper vagina with it
- if has had a hysterectomy then the vaginal vault is left and might get a ‘vault’ prolapse
what is an enterocele?
prolapse of upper posterior wall of vagina - resulting pouch can contain loops of small bowel
what is a rectocele?
prolapse of lower posterior wall of vagina - bulgers through weak levator ani - involving anterior wall of rectum
often symptomless, but may prevent defecation - patient might have to put finger in vagina to reduce the bugle so that she can defecate