Gynaecology Flashcards
Define primary amenorrhoea
-Not starting menstruation
-By 13 yrs if no other signs of pubertal development
-By 15 years if signs of puberty
Define hypogonadism and give 2 causes ?
-> Lack of sex hormones
-> Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism : deficiency of LH and FSH
-> Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism : lack of response to LH and FSH by the gonads
What can cause hypogonadotropic hypogonadism ?
-Low GnRH -> low FSH & LH -> low oestrogen
-Hypopituitarism
-Damage to hypothalamus or pituitary
-Chronic conditions : CF, IBD
-Excessive exercise or dieting
-Constitutional delay in growth and development
-Endocrine disorders : growth hormone deficiency, hyopothyroid, cushing’s or hyperprolactinaemia
-Kallman syndrome
What is Kallman syndrome
-Genetic condition causing hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
-Causes a failure to start puberty and is associated with reduced or absent sense of smell
What is hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and what can cause it ?
-The gonads failure to respond to LH and FSH.
-There is no negative feedback from oestrogen, meaning the anterior pituitary continues to produce LH and FSH
-Damage to gonads
-Congenital absence of the ovaries
-Turner’s syndrome
Give 5 causes of primary amenorrhoea
-Hypogonadotropic hypongonadism
-Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
-Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
-Androgen insensitivity syndrome
-Structural pathology
What is androgen insensitivity syndrome
-Occurs in someone who is genetically male (XY) but the tissue are unresponsive to androgen hormones
-Causes female phenotype : normal female external genitalia and breast tissue. BUT internally there are testes and an absent uterus, upper vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Give 5 structural pathologies than can cause primary amenorrhoea
-Imperforate hymen
-Transverse vaginal septae
-Vaginal agenesis
-Absent uterus
-Female genital mutilation
Define secondary amenorrhoea
-No menstruation for more than 3 mnths after previous regular menstrual periods
Give 8 causes of secondary amenorrhoea
-Pregnancy
-Menopause & premature ovarian failure
-Hormonal contraception
-Hypothlamic or pituitary pathology
-PCOS
-Asherman’s syndrome
-Thyroid
-Hyperprolactinaemia
Give 4 reasons why the hypothalamus would reduce GnRH production leading to secondary amenorrhoea
-Excessive exercise
-Low body weight and ED
-Chronic disease
-Psychological stress
Give 2 pituitary causes of amenorrhoea
-Pituitary tumours (e.g. prolactinoma)
-Pituitary failure due to trauma, radiotherapy, surgery or sheehan syndrome (postpartum hypopituitarism caused by necrosis of the pituitary gland)
Why does hyperprolactinaemia cause secondary amenorrhoea ?
-High prolactin -> prevents GnRH release from the hypothalamus
-Most common cause = pituitary adenoma. Often galactorrea also present
How is a prolactinoma managed ?
-> CT or MRI
-> Dopamine agonists (e.g. bromocriptine/cabergoline)
What 5 hormone tests are done in secondary amenorrhoea
-HCG -> preganancy
-LH and FSH (high = primary ovarian failure)
-Prolactin -> hyperprolactinaemia (followed by MRI)
-TSH
-Testosterone (raised = PCOS, androgen insensitivity, congenital adrenal hyperplasia)
When and what treatment is given to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in secondary amenorrhoea
-> Vit D and calcium if amenorrhoea lasts >12 mnths
-> HRT or combined oral contraceptive pill due to low oestrogen levels
Go over menorrhagia mindmap
Draw out mindmap
How is menorrhagia managed if no contraception is wanted ?
-> Tranexamic acid (if no associated pain)
-> Mefenamic acid (if associated pain)
How is menorrhagia managed if contraception is wanted ?
-1st : mirena coil
-2nd : combined oral contraceptivepill
-3rd : cyclical oral progestogens
-4th : progesterone only pill or implant
-Finals : endometrial ablation and hysterectomy
What are fibroids and who are they more common in ?
-Oestrogen sensitive tumours of smooth muscle of the uterus (uterine leiomyomas)
-Black women
What are the 4 types of fibroid ?
-Intramural -> within myometrium
-Subserosal -> below outer layer of uterus
-Submucosal -> blow endometrium
-Pedunculated -> on a stalk
If not asymptomatic, how do fibroids present? (6)
- Menorrhagia
- > 7 days menstruation
- Abdo pain, worse on menstruation
- Bloating or feeling full in the abdomen
- Urinary or bowel Sx due to pelvic pressure or fullness
- Deep dyspareunia (pain during sex)
What is the initial investigation for fibroids in menorrhagia ?
-Hysteroscopy
-Pelvic USS may be needed in larger fibroids
How are fibroids of <3cm managed ?
Medical : same as menorrhagia
Surgical : endometrial ablation, resection of fibroids, hysterectomy
How are fibroids >3cm managed ?
-Medical : same as menorrhagia
-Surgical : uterine artery embolisation, myomectomy, hysterectomy
Explain the surgical options used in larger fibroids
-Uterine artery embolistion : catheter passed through femoral artery to uterine artery to cut of O2 supply to fibroid and shrink it
-Myomectomy : surgical removal
-Hysterectomy : removing uterus and fibroids
Give 3 severe complications of fibroids?
-Red degeneration of fibroid
-Torsion of fibroid
-Malignant change to leiomyosarcoma (very rare)
What is red degeneration of fibroids
-Ischaemia, infarction and necrosis of the fibroid occurring most commonly in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy
-Presents with severe abdo pain, low grade fever, tachycardia and vomiting
-Manage : supportive
Define endometriosis
-Ectopic endometrial tissue outside of the uterus
-Endometrioma : lump of endometrial tissue
-‘Chocolate cyst’ : endometrioma in the ovaries
If not asymptomatic, how does endometriosis present? (5)
-Cyclical abdominal or pelvic pain
-Deep dyspareunia
-Dysmenorrhoea
-Infertility
-Cyclical bleeding from other sites (e.g. haematuria, blood in stool)
What is the gold standard investigation for endometriosis?
-Laparoscopic surgery w biopsy of lesions
-Pelvic USS is often unremarkable
what are the management options of endometriosis ?
- 1st line : analgesia (NSAIDS, ibuprofen)
- 2nd : hormonal treatment (COCP, progestogens)
- 3rd : GnRH analogues
What surgical options can help with fertility / symptom management of endometriosis
-Laparoscopic surgery to excise or ablate endometrial tissue and remove adhensions
-Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-opherectomy (ovary removal induces menopause and so stops ectopic endometrial tissue responding to the menstrual cycle)
Define adenomyosis
Endometrial tissue inside the myometrium (muscle layer of the uterus)
How does adenomyosis present ?
-Dysmenorrhoea
-Menorrhagia
-Dyspareunia
Can present with infertility or pregnancy related complications
What isn the 1st line investigation for adenomyosis ?
-Transvaginal USS of pelvis
How is andenomyosis managed?
Same as menorrhagia and dependent on want for contraception
Perimenopause
Menopause
Postmenopause
-Perimenopause : time leading up to the last period and the 12 mnths afterwards. Vasomotor and irregular periods
-Menopause : point at which menstruation stops
-Postmenopause : period from 12 mnths after the final menstrual period onwards
Explain the physiology behind why menopause occurs and the hormone levels
-> Decline in the development of ovarian follicles
-> Reduced oestrogen production
-> Increasing FSH and LH levels due to lack of negative feedback from oestrogen
-> Anovulation resulting in irregular periods
-> Without oestrogen endometrium does not develop leading to ammenorrhoea
-> Low oestrogen causes perimenopausal symptoms
What 4 conditions does a lack of oestrogen increase the risk of ?
-Cardiovascular disease and stroke
-Osteoporosis
-Pelvic organ prolapse
-Urinary incontinence
What is premature ovarian insuffiency and what does it cause?
-> Early onset menopause (<40 yrs) : irregular periods, secondary amenorrhea and Sx of low oestrogen levels (hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness)
-> Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
-> Raised LH and FSH, low oestradiol
- > Dx : raised FSH and menopausal sx