Gynaecology Flashcards
What is amennorhoea?
A lack of periods
What are three main groups of causes for primary amennorhoea?
Problems with hypothalamus or pituitary, problem with the gonads or structural (e.g imperforate hymen)
What the most common cause of amennorhoea?
Pregnancy
What are some other causes of secondary amennorhoea?
PCOS, Cushing’s, menopause, anorexia/stress, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal contraceptives, hyperprolactinaemia, premature ovarian failure
What are common causes of intermenstrual bleeding?
Cervical ectropion, hormonal contraception, STI, endometrial polyps or cancer, vaginal pathology, pregnancy, medications (e.g SSRIs and anticoagulants)
What is the word for painful periods?
Dysmenorrhoea
What can cause dysmenorrhea?
Endometriosis, fibroids, PID, copper coil, cervical/ovarian cancer, primary dysmennorhoea
What is the word for heavy periods?
Menorrhagia
What is it referred to when there is no identifiable cause for menorrhagia?
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
What are some causes of menorrhagia?
Extremes of reproductive age, fibroids, endometriosis and adenomyosis, PID, copper coil, anticoag meds, bleeding disorders, connective tissue disorders, endometrial hyperplasia, PCOS
What are the key causes of postcoital bleeding?
Cervical cancer (+endometrial or vaginal), cervical ectropion, trauma, atrophic vaginitis
What is the term for cyclical pain felt during ovulation?
Mittelschmerz
How is primary amenorrhoea defined?
Not starting period by 13 when there’s no other signs of pubertal development
Not starting period by 15 where there are other signs of puberty
When do we typically seen girls starting periods in relation to starting puberty?
Puberty is normally between 8-14 for girls
Menarche usually starts 2 years after start of puberty
What cause of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is associated with anosmia?
Kallman syndrome
What are some structural causes of amenorrhoea?
Imperforate hymen, female genital mutilation, transverse vaginal septae, vaginal agenesis, absent uterus
What will the levels of LH and FSH be like in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism?
Hypogonadotropic= low LH and FSH
Hypergonadotropic= high LH and FSH
What hormonal blood tests can be used to investigate amenorrhoea?
FSH and LH
Thyroid
Testosterone (raised in PCOS, androgen insensitivity and CAH)
Prolactin
Insulin-like growth factor (used in screening of GH deficiency)
In patient with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, how can we treat them if they want t be fertile and where pregnancy is not wanted?
Pulsatile GnRH can be used to induce ovulation and menstruation- can induce fertility
Pregnancy not wanted- combined contraceptive pill can induce regular menstruation
How is secondary amenorrhoea defined?
No menstruation for greater than 3 months after regular menstrual periods
Why does physiological or psychological stress lead to amennorhoea?
It reduces the production of GnRH. This is so the boys doesnt have a pregnancy when the body may not be fit for it
What medications can be used to reduce prolactin production?
Dopamine agonists like bromocriptine or cabergoline
In a patient with amenorrhoea, what would a high LH or a high FSH suggest as the cause?
High LH/ high LH:FSH ratio - indicates PCOS
High FSH - indicates primary ovarian failure
Why do women with PCOS require a withdrawal bleed every 3-4 months?
To reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer
What is the peak age group affected by endometrial cancer?
64-74
what increases the risk of endometrial cancer?
Early menarche/late menopause, nulliparity, PCOS, BRCA 1/2, endometrial polyps
hat lowers the risk of endometrial cancer?
COCP, HRT, physical activity
What is the pre-malignant condition associated with endometrial cancer?
Endometrial hyperplasia
What percentage of women with endometrial hyperplasia will develop cancer within 10 years?
20%
How is endometrial hyperplasia treated?
Progestagens and surgery
What are the types of endometrial carcinomas?
Type 1: endometrial adenocarcinoma
Type 2 clear cell, papillary serous, carcinosarcoma
what staging is used for endometrial carcinoma?
FIGO
What investigations are useful in diagnosing endometrial cancer?
Endometrial sampling, hysteroscopy (gold standard), transvaginal ultrasound
What factors will determine the primary treatment for endometrial cancer?
Stage, age, fitness for surgery and patient preference
What is the peak age for ovarian cancer?
70-74
What are the most common times of ovarian tumour?
Serous, mucinous and teratomas
What are risk factors for developing ovarian cancer?
Nulliparity, early menarche, late menopause, unopposed estrogen, FHx, BRCA 1/2, endometriosis
Ovarian cancer presents with non-specific symptoms, what symptoms is it likely to present with?
Abdominal bloating, pain, anorexia, N+V, weight loss, vaginal bleeding
What tumour marker is measured in ovarian cancer?
Ca125
Is CA125 specific to ovarian cancer?
No, can be raised in other gynae conditions like endometriosis, menstruation and any inflammatory condition in abdominal area
What ages are most affected by cervical cancer?
Bimodal distribution affecting women in 30s and 80s
what types of cervical cancer are most common?
Most are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinomas also common
What are risk factors for cervical cancer?
Early age at first intercourse, multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, smoking, long term COCP use, immunosupression/HIV
What lowers your risk of cervical cancer?
Regular cervical screening attendance and HPV vaccine
What are common presentations for cervical cancer?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding (Post coital bleeding, post menopausal bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, blood stained vaginal discharge)
Vaginal discharge, pelvic pain and dyspareunia