Gynaecology Flashcards
What are the potential causes of primary amenorrhoea
Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism- Deficiency of LH and FSH (gonadotrophins) dysfunction of pituitary or hypothalamus, chronic conditions, excessive exercise/dieting
Hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism- high LHS and FSH but low sex hormones0 damage to gonads- mumps, congenital absence of ovaries or turner’s syndrome
Congential adrenal hyperplasia - underproduces cortisol, aldosterone and overproduces androgens- tall for age, facial hair, no periods
Androgen insensitivity syndrome- tissues can’t respond to androgens = female phenotype with external genetalia- but testes are in abdomen and no uterus
Structural pathology
What is the management of primary amenorrhoea
Replacement hormones - if pregnancy not wanted- combined pill
Observation
Reduce stress, CBT, healthy weight gain
In hypogonadotrophic hypogonaidsm (hypopituitarism or Kallman)- pulsatile GnRH can induce ovulation and menstruation
What are some causes of secondary amenorrhoea
Pregnancy, menopause, premature ovarian failure, hormonal contracpetion, pituitary/ hypothalamus pathology, PCOS, Asherman’s syndrome. thyroid issues
Hyperprolactinaemia- high levels prolactin stop release of GnRH in hypothalamus so no LH and FSH- will have galactorrhoea - usually pituitary adenoma - treat with dopamine agonists- bromocriptine/ cabergoline
What must be done in women with PCOS
Induce a withdrawl bleed every 3-4 months to reduce risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer- regular use of combined OCP or medroxyprogesterone for 14 days
What is the treatment for secondary amenorrhoea
Hormone replacement therapy or OCP
Vit D and calcium supplementation - osteoporosis
What pill should be used to help with PMS
Drospirenone first line (Yasmin)
Advise on lifestyle changes, SSRIs and CBT
What is the management for menorrhagia
No contraception
Tranexamic acid - if no pain
Mefenamic acid- associated pain (NSAID)
Contraception
1. Mirena coil
2. COCP
3.Cyclical oral progesterones/ POP- norithisterone 5mg 3x daily from day 5-26 cycle (increased VTE risk)
Final managements
Endometrial ablation/ hysterectomy
What is the investigation and management of uterine fibroids
Hysteroscopy for heavy mentrual bleeding- submucosal fibroids
Pelvic USS for larger fibroids
Management
<3cm- Mirena coil, symptom managament (NSAIDs, tranexamic acid), COCP, POP
> 3cm- Referl to gynae, symptom management, mirena coil, COCP, POP, uterine artery embolisation, myomectomy, hysterectomy, endometrial ablation
GnRH agonists can reduce the size of fibroids before surgery
What is red degeneration of a fibroid
Ischaemic, infarction and necrosis of a fibroid due to disrupted blood supply
Larger fibroids>5cm - second and 3rd trim of preg
Severe abdo pain, low grade fever, tachy, vomiting
Supportive management
What is the main presentation of endometriosis
Pelvic pain - cyclical pain
Adhesions then can cause chronic non cyclical pain
Deep psypareunia
Dysmenoorhoea
Infertility
Cyclical bleeding from other sites - bowel/ urinary
Endometrial tissue seen on speculum
Fixed cervix on bimanual exam
Tender in vagina, cervix, adenexa
How is endometriosis diagnosed
Laparoscopic surgery is the cold standard with biopsu
Pelvic USS can reveal if large
How is endometriosis managed
Stop ovulation and reduce endometrial thickening
COCP, POP, Mirena coil, implant, depot infection
Induce a menopause like statpe- GnRH agonists- Goserelin, leuprorelin
Laparoscopic surgery- excise and ablate - help improve fertiligy
Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-opherectomy
What are the features, management and diagnosis of adenomyosis
-Endometrial tissue in the myometrium
-Later productive years- or several pregnancies
Transvaginal USS first line for diagnosis
Management
No contraception
Tranexamic acid / mefenamic acid
Contraception
Mirena coil
COCP
OCP
What is the definition of menopause and peri-menopause
Menopause- no periods for 12 months
Post menopause- the period from 12 months after final period
Peri-meopause- vasomotor symptoms and irregular periods
Premature menopause- before 40
What are the hormone findings in menopause
Lack of ovarian follicular function
-Oestrogen and progesterone are low
-LH and FSH are high- no negative feedback
FSH blood test must be one to diagnose in women over 45
How long do women around perimenopause need contraception for
-2 years after last menstrual period for women under 50
-1 yr after LMP for women over 50
Good contraception options
Barrier
Mirena
Progesterone only pill
Progesterone implant
Progesterone depot injection (under 45 due to reduced bone mineral density)
VTE restrictions with OCP
What are the causes of premature ovarian insufficiency
Menopause before 40
Typical menopause symptoms + elevated FSH
Idiopathic
Iatrogenic- chemo, radio or surgery
Autoimmune (coeliac, adrenal insufficiency, type 1 diabetes, thyroid)
Gentic- turner’s syndrome
Infections- Mumps, TB, CMV
two options for treatment
COCP or traditional hormone replacement therapy
How do you pick what HRT regime a woman gets
Has a uterus:
Combined- needs endometrial protection with progesterone + oestrogen
Without a uterus
Oestrogen only HRT
Still gas periods
Cyclical HRT with cyclical progesterone and regular breakthrough bleeds
More than 12 months without period and has a uterus
Continuous combined HRT
What is Clonidine used for
Lowers BP and reduced HR- helps with vasomotor symptoms and hot flushes
Useful when HRT contraindicated
Can cause- dry mouth, headaches, dizzy, faituge
What risks are associated with HRT
-Increased risk of breast cancer- especially combined
-Increased risk endometrial cancer - reduce this by adding a progesterone
-Increased risk of VTE (2-3 times) - use patches not pills to reduce this risk -Increased risk of stroke and CAD with longer term use in older women (only in combined)
Risks aren’t increased in women under 50 or those without a uterus