Gynaecology Flashcards
causes of primary amenorrhoea
Abnormal functioning of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism)
Abnormal functioning of the gonads (hypergonadotropic hypogonadism)
Imperforate hymen or other structural pathology
causes of secondary amenorrhoea
Pregnancy (the most common cause)
Menopause
Physiological stress due to excessive exercise, low body weight, chronic disease or psychosocial factors
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Medications, such as hormonal contraceptives
Premature ovarian insufficiency (menopause before 40 years)
Thyroid hormone abnormalities (hyper or hypothyroid)
Excessive prolactin, from a prolactinoma
Cushing’s syndrome
irregular menstruation causes
Extremes of reproductive age (early periods or perimenopause)
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Physiological stress (excessive exercise, low body weight, chronic disease and psychosocial factors)
Medications, particularly progesterone only contraception, antidepressants and antipsychotics
Hormonal imbalances, such as thyroid abnormalities, Cushing’s syndrome and high prolactin
causes of intermenstrual bleeding
Hormonal contraception
Cervical ectropion, polyps or cancer
Sexually transmitted infection
Endometrial polyps or cancer
Vaginal pathology, including cancers
Pregnancy
Ovulation can cause spotting in some women
Medications, such as SSRIs and anticoagulants
causes of dysmenorrhoea
Primary dysmenorrhoea (no underlying pathology)
Endometriosis or adenomyosis
Fibroids
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Copper coil
Cervical or ovarian cancer
causes of menorrhagia
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (no identifiable cause)
Extremes of reproductive age
Fibroids
Endometriosis and adenomyosis
Pelvic inflammatory disease (infection)
Contraceptives, particularly the copper coil
Anticoagulant medications
Bleeding disorders (e.g. Von Willebrand disease)
Endocrine disorders (diabetes and hypothyroidism)
Connective tissue disorders
Endometrial hyperplasia or cance
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
causes of postcoital bleeding
Cervical cancer, ectropion or infection
Trauma
Atrophic vaginitis
Polyps
Endometrial cancer
Vaginal cancer
causes of pelvic pain
Urinary tract infection
Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Ovarian cysts
Endometriosis
Pelvic inflammatory disease (infection)
Ectopic pregnancy
Appendicitis
Mittelschmerz (cyclical pain during ovulation)
Pelvic adhesions
Ovarian torsion
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
causes of vaginal discharge
Bacterial vaginosis
Candidiasis (thrush)
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
Trichomonas vaginalis
Foreign body
Cervical ectropion
Polyps
Malignancy
Pregnancy
Ovulation (cyclical)
Hormonal contraception
pruritis vulvae definition
itching of vulva and vagina
pruritus vulvae causes
Irritants such as soaps, detergents and barrier contraception
Atrophic vaginitis
Infections such as candidiasis (thrush) and pubic lice
Skin conditions such as eczema
Vulval malignancy
Pregnancy-related vaginal discharge
Urinary or faecal incontinence
Stress
primary amenorrhoea definition
defined as not starting menstruation:
By 13 years when there is no other evidence of pubertal development
By 15 years of age where there are other signs of puberty, such as breast bud development
puberty girls
8-14
breast bud, pubic hair, menstrual periods
pubertal growth spurt earlier than boys
hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
lack of LH and FSH
hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
lack of response to LH and FSH by gonads (testes and ovaries)
causes of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Hypopituitarism (under production of pituitary hormones)
Damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary, for example, by radiotherapy or surgery for cancer
Significant chronic conditions can temporarily delay puberty (e.g. cystic fibrosis or inflammatory bowel disease)
Excessive exercise or dieting can delay the onset of menstruation in girls
Constitutional delay in growth and development is a temporary delay in growth and puberty without underlying physical pathology
Endocrine disorders such as growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s or hyperprolactinaemia
Kallman syndrome
causes of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
Previous damage to the gonads (e.g. torsion, cancer or infections such as mumps)
Congenital absence of the ovaries
Turner’s syndrome (XO)
kallman syndrome clinical fx
delayed puberty
anosmia
CAH hormones
lack of cortisol and aldosterone
overproduction of androgens
CAH inheritance
aut rec
congenital deficiency of the 21-hydroxylase enzyme
clinical fx of CAH
neonates - hypoglycaemia, electrolyte disturbances
childhood - Tall for their age
Facial hair
Absent periods (primary amenorrhoea)
Deep voice
Early puberty
AIS in males patho
the tissues are unable to respond to androgen hormones (e.g. testosterone), so typical male sexual characteristics do not develop
AIS clinical fx
female phenotype - normal female external genitalia and breast
internally - undescended testis and absent uterus etc
if ovaries unaffected by pathology…
typical secondary sexual characteristics develop but no periods
structural pathology causes of absent periods
Imperforate hymen
Transverse vaginal septae
Vaginal agenesis
Absent uterus
Female genital mutilation
ix for primary amenorrhoea
FBC and ferritin - anaemia
U+E - CKD
anti-TTG and anti-EMA - coeliac
FSH and LH
TFT
IGF-1 - GH def
prolactin - hyperprolactinaemia
testosterone - high in PCOS, AIS, CAH
genetic testing - turners
x ray of wrist - constituional delay
pelvis USS
MRI of brain
tx of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
pulsatile GnRH - esp if want to induce fertility
or COCP to replace sex hormones
tx of ovarian causes of primary amenorrhoea
can give COCP ot induce regular menstruation and prevent sx of oestrogen def
causes of secondary amenorrhoea
Pregnancy is the most common cause
Menopause and premature ovarian failure
Hormonal contraception (e.g. IUS or POP)
Hypothalamic or pituitary pathology
Ovarian causes such as polycystic ovarian syndrome
Uterine pathology such as Asherman’s syndrome
Thyroid pathology
Hyperprolactinaemia
when can hypogonadotropic hypogonadism be induced to cause secondary amenorrhoea
Excessive exercise (e.g. athletes)
Low body weight and eating disorders
Chronic disease
Psychological stress
pituitary causes of secondary amenorrhoea
Pituitary tumours, such as a prolactin-secreting prolactinoma
Pituitary failure due to trauma, radiotherapy, surgery or Sheehan syndrome
hyperprolactinaemia causing secondary amenorrhoea patho
High prolactin levels act on the hypothalamus to prevent the release of GnRH. Without GnRH, there is no release of LH and FSH. This causes hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
true or false, galactorrhoea a common sign of hyperprolactinaemia
false -, only 30% of women
most common causes of hyperprolactinaemia
pituitary adenoma secreting prolactin
ix for hyperprolactinaemia
CT/MRI of brain
tx for hyperprolactinaemia
dopamine agonist - bromocriptine, cabergoline
ix for secondary amenorrhoea
USS of pelvis (PCOS)
beta hCG
LH and FSH
prolactin
TSH
testosterone
LH:FSH ratio interpretation
High FSH suggests primary ovarian failure
High LH, or LH:FSH ratio, suggests polycystic ovarian syndrome
tx of PCOS
require a withdrawal bleed every 3 – 4 months to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. Medroxyprogesterone for 14 days, or regular use of the combined oral contraceptive pill, can be used to stimulate a withdrawal bleed
when vit D required in secondary amenorrhoea
low oestrogen levels so amenorrhoea lasts for more than 12 months…risk of osteoporosis
PMS occurs at which part of menstrual cycle
luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, particularly in the days prior to the onset of menstruation
cause of PMS
caused by fluctuation in oestrogen and progesterone hormones during the menstrual cycle. The exact mechanism is not known, but it may be due to increased sensitivity to progesterone or an interaction between the sex hormones and the neurotransmitters serotonin and GABA
clinical fx of PMS
Low mood
Anxiety
Mood swings
Irritability
Bloating
Fatigue
Headaches
Breast pain
Reduced confidence
Cognitive impairment
Clumsiness
Reduced libido
causes of PMS without menstruation
after a hysterectomy, endometrial ablation or on the Mirena coil
combined contraceptive pill or cyclical hormone replacement therapy containing progesterone, and this is described as progesterone-induced premenstrual disorder.
severe form of PMS
premenstrual dysphoric disorder
diagnosis of PMS
symptom diary for two menstrual cycles
cyclical sx
definitive - administering a GnRH analogues to halt the menstrual cycle and temporarily induce menopause, to see if the symptoms resolve
mx of PMS
General healthy lifestyle changes, such as improving diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking, stress and sleep
Combined contraceptive pill (COCP) - containing drospirenone, continuous use
SSRI antidepressants
Cognitive behavioural therapy
continuous transdermal oestrogen patches + low dose cyclical progestogens or mirena to prevent endometrial hyperplasia
GnRH + HRT = menopause
hysterectomy and b/l oophorectomy - induce menopause
danazole and tamoxigen - cyclical breast pain
spironlactone - breast swell, water retention and bloating
menorrhagia definition
> 80 ml
based on sx - changing pads every 1-2 hrs, bleeding lasts more than 7 days, clots
causes of menorrhagia
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (no identifiable cause)
Extremes of reproductive age
Fibroids
Endometriosis and adenomyosis
Pelvic inflammatory disease (infection)
Contraceptives, particularly the copper coil
Anticoagulant medications
Bleeding disorders (e.g. Von Willebrand disease)
Endocrine disorders (diabetes and hypothyroidism)
Connective tissue disorders
Endometrial hyperplasia or cancer
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
hx of menorrhagia
Age at menarche
Cycle length, days menstruating and variation
Intermenstrual bleeding and post coital bleeding
Contraceptive history
Sexual history
Possibility of pregnancy
Plans for future pregnancies
Cervical screening history
Migraines with or without aura (for the pill)
Past medical history and past drug history
Smoking and alcohol history
Family history
ix of menorrhagic
pelvic exam with speculum and bimanual -> fibroids, ascites and cancers
FBC - iron def anaemia
outpatient hysteroscopy - fibroids, endometrial hyperplasia or cancer, peristent intermenstrual bleeding
pelvic and transvaginal USS - large fibroids, adenomyosis, hard to examine
swabs - infection
coag screen
ferritin
TFT
mx of menorrhagia
mx causes
Tranexamic acid when no associated pain (antifibrinolytic – reduces bleeding)
Mefenamic acid when there is associated pain (NSAID – reduces bleeding and pain)
first line contraception with menorrhagia
Mirena coil (first line)
Combined oral contraceptive pill
Cyclical oral progestogens
when refer menorrhagia to secondary acree
further ix or mx
tx unsuccessful
sx severe
large fibroids >3cm
last choice options in menorrhagia
endometrial ablation and hysterectomy
fibroids definition
benign tumours of the smooth muscle of the uterus. They are also called uterine leiomyomas
fibroids risk fx
later reproductive years
black women
why fibroids grow
in response to oestrogent
types of fibroids
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.
Submucosal means just below the lining of the uterus (the endometrium).
Pedunculated means on a stalk.
clinical fx of fibroids
asx
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) is the most frequent presenting symptom
Prolonged menstruation, lasting more than 7 days
Abdominal pain, worse during menstruation
Bloating or feeling full in the abdomen
Urinary or bowel symptoms due to pelvic pressure or fullness
Deep dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)
Reduced fertility
ix for fibroids
abdo and bimanual exam - palpable pelvic mass or enlarged firm non tender uterus
hysteroscopy - submucosal
pelvic USS - larger
MRI - surgical decision
medical mx of smaller fibroids
< 3 cm
Mirena coil (1st line) – fibroids must be less than 3cm with no distortion of the uterus
Symptomatic management with NSAIDs and tranexamic acid
Combined oral contraceptive
Cyclical oral progestogens
surgical mx of smaller fibroids
Endometrial ablation
Resection of submucosal fibroids during hysteroscopy
Hysterectomy
medical mx of larger fibroids
referral to gynaecology!
Symptomatic management with NSAIDs and tranexamic acid
Mirena coil – depending on the size and shape of the fibroids and uterus
Combined oral contraceptive
Cyclical oral progestogens
surgical mx for larger fibroids
Uterine artery embolisation
Myomectomy
Hysterectomy
before surgery - GnRH agonists to reduce size of fibroids
potential complications of fibroids
Heavy menstrual bleeding, often with iron deficiency anaemia
Reduced fertility
Pregnancy complications, such as miscarriages, premature labour and obstructive delivery
Constipation
Urinary outflow obstruction and urinary tract infections
Red degeneration of the fibroid
Torsion of the fibroid, usually affecting pedunculated fibroids
Malignant change to a leiomyosarcoma is very rare (<1%)
define red degeneration of fibroids
ischaemia, infarction and necrosis of the fibroid due to disrupted blood supply. Red degeneration is more likely to occur in larger fibroids (above 5 cm) during the second and third trimester of pregnancy
red degeneration of fibroids clinical fx
severe abdo pain, low grade fever, tachycardia and vomit
red degeneration of fibroids mx
rest
fluid
analgesia
endometriosis definition
a condition where there is ectopic endometrial tissue outside the uterus
define endometrioma
A lump of endometrial tissue outside the uterus
if in ovaries - ‘chocolate cysts’
define adenomyosis
endometrial tissue within the myometrium (muscle layer) of the uterus
one theory for aetiology of endometriosis
during menstruation, the endometrial lining flows backwards, through the fallopian tubes and out into the pelvis and peritoneum. This is called retrograde menstruation. The endometrial tissue then seeds itself around the pelvis and peritoneal cavity
pathophysiology of sx of endometriosis
pelvic pain….The cells of the endometrial tissue outside the uterus respond to hormones in the same way as endometrial tissue in the uterus. During menstruation, as the endometrial tissue in the uterus sheds its lining and bleeds, the same thing happens in the endometrial tissue elsewhere in the body. This causes irritation and inflammation of the tissues around the sites of endometriosis
blood in urine or stools - deposits of endometriosis in bladder or bowel
Adhesions lead to a chronic, non-cyclical pain
reduced fertility - adhesions, blocking release of eggs or kinking fallopian tubes
clinical fx of endometriosis
Cyclical abdominal or pelvic pain
Deep dyspareunia (pain on deep sexual intercourse)
Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
Infertility
Cyclical bleeding from other sites, such as haematuria
urinary or bowel sx
O/E endometriosis
Endometrial tissue visible in the vagina on speculum examination, particularly in the posterior fornix
A fixed cervix on bimanual examination
Tenderness in the vagina, cervix and adnexa
diagnosis of endometriosis
pelvic USS - large endometriomas and chocolate cysts
laprascopic surgery - gold standard…biopsy of lesions
staging of endometriosis
ASRM
Stage 1: Small superficial lesions
Stage 2: Mild, but deeper lesions than stage 1
Stage 3: Deeper lesions, with lesions on the ovaries and mild adhesions
Stage 4: Deep and large lesions affecting the ovaries with extensive adhesions
hormonal mx of endometriosis
Combined oral contractive pill, which can be used back to back without a pill-free period if helpful
Progesterone only pill
Medroxyprogesterone acetate injection (e.g. Depo-Provera)
Nexplanon implant
Mirena coil
GnRH agonists
surgical mx of endometriosis
Laparoscopic surgery to excise or ablate the endometrial tissue and remove adhesions (improve fertility) (adhesiolysis)
Hysterectomy
how hormonal meds help endometriosis
Cyclical pain can be treated with hormonal medications that stop ovulation and reduce endometrial thickening
GnRH agonists
induce menopause
adenomyosis risk fx
later reproductive years
multiparous
clinical fx of adenomyosis
Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea)
Heavy periods (menorrhagia)
Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
infertility
pregnancy related complications
O/E enlarger and tender uterus
fibroids v adenomyosis
O/E - adenomyosis softer than fibroids
diagnosis adenomyosis
transvag USS 1st line
MRI nad transabdo USS
Gold standard - histological exam of uterus after hysterectomy
mx adenomyosis without contracpetion
tranexamic acid
mefenamic acid
mx adenomyosis for contraception
Mirena coil (first line)
Combined oral contraceptive pill
Cyclical oral progestogens
specialist mx for adenomyosis
GnRH analogues to induce a menopause-like state
Endometrial ablation
Uterine artery embolisation
Hysterectomy
adenomyosis associations in pregnancy
Infertility
Miscarriage
Preterm birth
Small for gestational age
Preterm premature rupture of membranes
Malpresentation
Need for caesarean section
Postpartum haemorrhage
menopause definition
point at which menstruation stops
postmenopause definition
describes the period from 12 months after the final menstrual period onwards.
perimenopause definition
refers to the time around the menopause, where the woman may be experiencing vasomotor symptoms and irregular periods. Perimenopause includes the time leading up to the last menstrual period, and the 12 months afterwards. This is typically in women older than 45 years.
premature menopause definition and cause
menopause before the age of 40 years. It is the result of premature ovarian insufficiency.
menopause caused by
lack of ovarian follicular function-
Oestrogen and progesterone levels are low
LH and FSH levels are high, in response to an absence of negative feedback from oestrogen
menopause patho
The process of the menopause begins with a decline in the development of the ovarian follicles. Without the growth of follicles, there is reduced production of oestrogen. Oestrogen has a negative feedback effect on the pituitary gland, suppressing the quantity of LH and FSH produced. As the level of oestrogen falls in the perimenopausal period, there is an absence of negative feedback on the pituitary gland, and increasing levels of LH and FSH.
The failing follicular development means ovulation does not occur (anovulation), resulting in irregular menstrual cycles. Without oestrogen, the endometrium does not develop, leading to a lack of menstruation (amenorrhoea). Lower levels of oestrogen also cause the perimenopausal symptoms.
perimenopausal sx
Hot flushes
Emotional lability or low mood
Premenstrual syndrome
Irregular periods
Joint pains
Heavier or lighter periods
Vaginal dryness and atrophy
Reduced libido
risks from lack of oestrogen in menopause
Cardiovascular disease and stroke
Osteoporosis
Pelvic organ prolapse
Urinary incontinence
diagnosis menopause
> 45 - typical sx- clinical diagnosis
<40 or 40-45 - FSH blood test
how long contraception required for in regards to menopause
Two years after the last menstrual period in women under 50
One year after the last menstrual period in women over 50
contraceptive first lines for women approaching menopause
hormonal - suppress sx so…
Barrier methods
Mirena or copper coil
Progesterone only pill
Progesterone implant
Progesterone depot injection (under 45 years)
Sterilisation
cocp in over 40
up to 50 years old if no c/i
containing norethisterone or levonorgestrel in women over 40, due to the relatively lower risk of venous thromboembolism compared with other options
s/e of progesterone depot injection
weight gain osteoporosis
c/i of progesterone depot injection
> 45 as osteoporosis
mx of perimenopausal sx
No treatment
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Tibolone, a synthetic steroid hormone that acts as continuous combined HRT (only after 12 months of amenorrhoea)
Clonidine, which act as agonists of alpha-adrenergic and imidazoline receptors
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
SSRI antidepressants, such as fluoxetine or citalopram
Testosterone can be used to treat reduced libido (usually as a gel or cream)
Vaginal oestrogen cream or tablets, to help with vaginal dryness and atrophy (can be used alongside systemic HRT)
Vaginal moisturisers, such as Sylk, Replens and YES
primary ovarian insufficiency def
menopause before the age of 40 years. It is the result of a decline in the normal activity of the ovaries at an early age.
hormone analysis of POI
hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
Raised LH and FSH levels (gonadotropins)
Low oestradiol levels
causes of POI
Idiopathic (the cause is unknown in more than 50% of cases)
Iatrogenic, due to interventions such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery (i.e. oophorectomy)
Autoimmune, possibly associated with coeliac disease, adrenal insufficiency, type 1 diabetes or thyroid disease
Genetic, with a positive family history or conditions such as Turner’s syndrome
Infections such as mumps, tuberculosis or cytomegalovirus
clinical fx of POI
irregular menstrual periods, lack of menstrual periods (secondary amenorrhea) and symptoms of low oestrogen levels, such has hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness
diagnosis of POI
younger than 40 years with typical menopausal symptoms plus elevated FSH
FSH level needs to be persistently raised (more than 25 IU/l) on two consecutive samples separated by more than four weeks to make a diagnosis
—can be hard to diagnose if taking hormonal contraceptives
associations POI
Cardiovascular disease
Stroke
Osteoporosis
Cognitive impairment
Dementia
Parkinsonism
mx of POI
HRT until age at which go rhough menopause - can give traditional HRT or COCP
HRT s/e
an increased risk of venous thromboembolism with HRT in women under 50 years. The risk of VTE can be reduced by using transdermal methods (i.e. patches)
HRT given with which drug
progesterone to women that have a uterus…prevent endometrial hyperplasia
when be on cyclical HRT
Women that still have periods should go on cyclical HRT, with cyclical progesterone and regular breakthrough bleeds.
when go on continuous combined HRT
Postmenopausal women with a uterus and more than 12 months without periods
non hormonal x for menopausal sx
Lifestyle changes such as improving the diet, exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, reducing alcohol, reducing caffeine and reducing stress
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Clonidine, which is an agonist of alpha-adrenergic and imidazoline receptors
SSRI antidepressants (e.g. fluoxetine)
Venlafaxine, which is a selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)
Gabapentin
clonidine moa
an agonist of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors and imidazoline receptors in the brain. It lowers blood pressure and reduces the heart rate, and is also used as an antihypertensive medication
indications clonidine
vasomotor sx and hot flushes
used when c/i to HRT
s/e of clonidine
dry mouth
headaches
dizziness
fatigue
sudden withdrawal - rapid increases in BP and agitation
alternative remedies for sx control of menopause and s/e
Black cohosh, which may be a cause of liver damage
Dong quai, which may cause bleeding disorders
Red clover, which may have oestrogenic effects that would be concerning with oestrogen sensitive cancers
Evening primrose oil, which has significant drug interactions and is linked with clotting disorders and seizures
Ginseng may be used for mood and sleep benefits
indications for HRT
Replacing hormones in premature ovarian insufficiency, even without symptoms
Reducing vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats
Improving symptoms such as low mood, decreased libido, poor sleep and joint pain
Reducing risk of osteoporosis in women under 60 years
benefits of HRT
Improved vasomotor and other symptoms of menopause (including mood, urogenital and joint symptoms)
Improved quality of life
Reduced the risk of osteoporosis and fractures