Gynaecology🍑 Flashcards
What is a cystocele?
A defect in the anterior vaginal wall that allows the bladder to prolapse backwards into the vagina
What is a urethrocele?
A prolapse of the urethra through a defect in the anterior vaginal wall
What is a urethrocystocele?
A prolapse of the bladder and urethra through a defect in the anterior vaginal wall
What is a uterine prolapse?
Where the uterus prolapses into the vagina
What is a rectocele?
Where the rectum prolapses into the vagina through a defect in the posterior vaginal wall
What is a vault prolapse?
Only occurs in women that have had a hysterectomy - where the top of the vagina prolapses into the vagina below it
Why does prolapse occur?
Weakness and lengthening of the ligaments and muscles surrounding the uterus, rectum and bladder
What are the risk factors for genital prolapse? (3)
Multiple vaginal deliveries Instrumental, prolonged or traumatic deliveryAdvanced age - postmenopausal statusObesity Chronic respiratory disease resulting in coughing Chronic constipation - straining
What is the presentation of a prolapse? (3)
Feeling of something coming down on the vagina
A dragging sensation in the pelvis
Urinary symptoms
Bowel symptoms
Sexual dysfunction
What are the urinary symptoms that prolapse can cause? (3)
Urgency Frequency Weak stream Retention
What are the bowel symptoms that prolapse can cause?
Constipation Incontinence Urgency
What sexual dysfunction symptoms can prolapse cause?
Pain Altered sensation Reduced enjoyment
What is the grading of a uterine prolapse?
Grade 0 - Normal Grade 1 - prolapse is more than 1cm above the introitus Grade 2 - prolapse is within 1cm of the introitus Grade 3 - prolapse is more than 1cm below the introitus, but not fully descended Grade 4 - full descent with eversion of the vagina
What are the three management options for prolapse?
Conservative management Vaginal pessary Surgery
What is involved in conservative management of urinary incontinence?
Pelvic floor exercisesWeight loss Reduction of caffeine intake Incontinence pads Anticholinergic medications for stress incontinence Vaginal oestrogen cream
What is a vaginal pessary?
A structure inserted into the vagina to provide support to the pelvic organs
What types of vaginal pessary exist?
Rings
Shelf
Gellhorn
Cube
Donut
Hodge
What does oestrogen cream do for the vagina?
Prevents it from irritation
What is the definitive treatment of pelvic organ prolapse?
Surgery - surgical repair of the prolapse, or hysterectomy
What are the complications of pelvic organ prolapse surgery? (3)
Pain, bleeding and infection Damage to the bladder or bowel Recurrence of prolapse Altered experience of sex
What are the first line investigations for pelvic organ prolapse? (3)
Bimanual palpation for prolapsePost-void residual urine volume (to check for retention)Urinalysis
What are the two types of urinary incontinece?
Stress incontinence Urge incontinence
What is the cause of urge incontinence?
Overactivity of the detrusor muscle, which causes the sudden urge to urinate
What is the cause of stress incontinence?
Weakness of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles, which allows urine to leak when pressure is high in the bladder
What is overflow incontinence?
Can occur when there is chronic urinary retention due to an obstruction to outflow. This results in an overflow of the urine, without the urge to pass urine.
What are the risk factors for urinary incontinence? (3)
Increased agePostmenopausal status Increased BMI Previous pregnancies and vaginal deliveriesPelvic organ prolapse Pelvic floor surgeryNeurological conditions Cognitive impairment
What modifiable lifestyle factors can contribute to symptoms of urinary incontinence? (3)
BMI Caffeine consumption Alcohol consumption Medications
What investigations can be used to diagnose urinary incontinence? (3)
Cough stress test Bladder diary Urinalysis Post-voidal residual measurement Urodynamic testing
What types of urodynamic testing can be performed?
Cystometry (looks at filling and emptying) Uroflowmetry (measures volume of urine released, the speed and how long it takes) Leak point pressure Post-void residual bladder volume Video urodynamic testing
What is cystometry?
Measures detrusor muscle contraction and pressure
What is the first line management of urinary incontinence? (3)
Conservative management - Bladder training - Pelvic floor exercises- Avoiding alcohol and caffeine - Weight loss- Avoiding excess fluid intake
What is the second line management of urinary incontinence?
Medication - Anticholinergics - oxybutynin (urgency)- Mirabegron (urgency)- Duloxetine (stress incontinence)
What are the side effects of anticholinergics? (3)
Dry mouth Dry eyes Urinary retention Constipation Postural hypotension
What other management options exist for urge incontinence? (3)
Botulinum toxin injection into the bladder wall Percutaneous sacral nerve stimualtion Augmentation cystoplasty - using bowel to increase the bladder size
How long should pelvic floor training be trialled for before further management?
3 months
What is pelvic inflammatory disease?
When an infection spreads into the upper genital tract through the vagina and cervix
What are the most common causes of PID?
Chlamydia trachomatisNeisseria gonorrhoea
What organism tends to cause more severe PID?
Neisseria gonorrhoea
How can PID be spread?
Predominantly sexually
Can also be contracted via UTI, respiratory infection and bacterial vaginosis
What are the non-sexually transmitted causes of PID?
E. coli Gardnerella vaginalis Haemophilus influenza
What are the risk factors for PID? (5)
Not using barrier protection Prior infection with chlamydia or gonorrhoea Multiple sexual partnersIUDYounger ageHistory of PID
What is the presentation of PID? (5)
Pelvic (adnexal tenderness) or abdominal pain Abnormal discharge Abnormal bleeding - intermenstrual or postcoital deep dyspareunia Dysuria Fever cervical excitation
What might be found on pelvic examination in PID?
Adnexal tendernessCervical motion tendernessUterine tenderness
What investigations are helpful in the diagnosis of PID?
Pelvic examinationNAAT swabs for gonorrhoea and chlamydia Pregnancy testInflammatory markers Transvaginal ultrasound
What is the treatment of PID?
IM ceftriaxone (gonorrhoea cover)Doxycycline (chlamydia cover)Metronidazole (for cover of aerobic bacteria)14 days of antibiotics
What are the complications of PID?
Infertility Chronic pelvic pain Ectopic pregnancyFitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome
What is Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome?
Adhesions between the anterior liver capsule and the peritoneum, in someone with a background of PID
What is the presentation of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome?
Right upper quadrant pain
How is Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome diagnosed?
Laparoscopy
What is seen on laparoscopy in Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome?
Violin string perihepatic lesions, no involvement of the liver parenchyma
What is the treatment of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome?
Same antibiotic regime as for PIDAdhesiolysis during laparoscopy
What are the differentials of PID? (3)
Ectopic pregnancy
Appendicitis
Ovarian cyst complications
Endometriosis
When should a coil be removed in someone with PID?
A coil should be left in, in a patient with PID, unless there is no response to antibiotics after 48-72 hours
What is the definition of menopause?
A permenant end to menstruation
What is the average age of menopause?
51 years
What does postmenopausal describe?
The period from 12 months after the final menstruation
When can menopause be diagnosed?
After a woman has had no periods for 12 months
What is the perimenopausal phase?
The time around menopause where women experience symptoms and irregular periods. It goes up to 12 months after the final period.
Before what age is menopause premature?
40 years
What are the symptoms of menopause? (6)
Vasomotor:- Hot flushes - Night sweats Sexual:- Vaginal dryness- Dyspareunia - Reduced libido Psychological:- Depression - Anxiety- Mood swings - Lethargy
What is the physiology of menopause?
- Decline in growth of follicles - Reduction in production of oestrogen - Lack of negative feedback on pituitary results in more LH and FSH release- Ovulation stops due to decline in follicle growth - Endometrial growth ceases due to lack of oestrogen
What conditions does the menopause increase the risk of? (3)
Osteoporosis Cardiovascular disease and stroke Pelvic organ prolapse Urinary incontinence
What investigations are used to diagnose menopause?
In women over 45 - Diagnosis can be made clinically Women under 45 - FSH levels
What level of FSH is indicative of menopause?
FSH > 30
For how long after the menopause are women considered fertile?
2 years after their last menstruation in women under 50
1 year after their last menstruation in women above 50
All women are considered infertile after 55
What are the differentials of menopause? (3)
Pregnancy Polycystic ovary syndrome Hyperthyroidism HypothyroidismAdverse effects of medication
What is the non-hormonal management of menopause? (3)
Lifestyle changesSSRIs or SNRIs Clonidine CBT Vaginal moisturisers
What is the hormonal management of menopause?
HRT
What are fibroids?
Benign smooth muscle tumours of the myometrium of the uterus
What is the epidemiology of fibroids?
Fibroids affect 40-60% of women in later reproductive years Prevelance is slightly lower in women under 30
How do fibroids grow?
They grow in response to oestrogen It is thought that they originate from a single smooth muscle cell
What are the types of fibroids?
Submucosal - just below the lining of the uterus Intramural - within the myometrium Subserosal - just below the outer layer of the uterus Pedunculated - on a stalk
What are the differentials of fibroids?
AdenomyosisEndometriosisEndometrial polyps Endometrial hyperplasia Uterine sarcoma Pregnancy
What is the presentation of fibroids? (4)
Often asymptomatic Heavy menstrual bleeding Prolonged menstruation Abdominal pain BloatingUrinary or bowel symptoms Dyspareunia Reduced fertility
What are the risk factors for fibroids? (3)
Black ethnicity Increasing ageBeing overweight
What is the first line investigation for diagnosis of fibroids?
Transvaginal and transabominal ultrasoundHysteroscopy
What other investigations may be useful in diagnosis of fibroids? (2)
MRI Endometrial biopsy
What is the non-surgical management of fibroids? What is considered 1st line?
Mirena coil - often first line Anti-fibrinolytics NSAIDsCombined hormonal contraceptionGnRH agonist
What is the surgical management of fibroids? (3)
Endometrial ablation Resection of fibroids Uterine artery embolisationHysterectomy
What are the complications of fibroids? (5)
Reduced fertilityHeavy menstrual bleeding Pregnancy complications Torsion of fibroidMalignant change to leiomyosarcoma Ischaemia and necrosis of the fibroid (red degeneration)Constipation Urinary tract outflow obstruction
What happens during red degeneration?
A fibroid rapidly outgrows it’s blood supply during pregnancy and becomes ischaemic
Why does red degeneration occur?
Increased oestrogen during pregnancy promotes growth of the fibroids
What medication is used in a patient with fibroids before surgery?
GnRH agonists to reduce the size of the fibroids
What type of HRT should a woman that is still having periods be on?
Cyclical HRT with cyclical progesterone
What type of HRT should women without a uterus be on?
Oestrogen-only HRT
What type of HRT should women who have not had periods for more than 12 months be on?
Continuous combined HRT
Why is progesterone given to women with a uterus?
To protect the endometrium from endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer, caused by the oestrogen
What is clonidine?
Clonidine is a alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that can be useful for vasomotor symptoms and hot flushes
What are the indications for HRT? (3)
Replacing hormones in premature ovarian insufficiency
Reducing vasomotor symptoms
Improving symptoms of reduced libido, poor sleep and low mood
Reducing osteoporosis risk
What are the risks of HRT? (4)
Increased risk of breast cancerIncreased risk of endometrial cancerIncreased risk of venous thromboembolism Increased risk of stroke
What are the contraindications to HRT? (4)
Undiagnosed abnormal bleedingEndometrial hyperplasia Breast cancerUncontrolled hypertensionVenous thromboembolism Liver diseaseAngina or previous MIPregnancy
What is the most common type of ovarian cancer?
Epithelial cell tumour
What are the other types of ovarian tumours?
Germ cell tumours Sex-cord stromal tumours
What are germ cell ovarian tumours associated with?
Ovarian torsion
What tumour markers may be present in someone with a germ cell ovarian tumour?
Alpha fetoprotein Beta hCG
What age group are germ cell ovarian tumours most common in?
Young women
What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer? (3)
Age > 60 BRCA 1 and 2 genesIncreased number of ovulations Obesity Smoking
What are the protective factors for ovarian cancer? (3)
Oral contraceptive pillPregnancyBreastfeeding Early menopause
What is the presentation of ovarian cancer? (5)
Abdominal pain Bloating Early satietyLoss of appetite Pelvic pain Weight lossAbdominal or pelvic massAscites
When should someone be referred on a 2 week wait? (Ovarian cancer)
Ascites Pelvic massAbdominal mass
What are the initial investigations for ovarian cancer?
CA-125 Pelvic ultrasound
What other investigations may be performed for diagnosis of ovarian cancer? (3)
CT scan Laparotomy for biopsy Alpha fetoprotein and beta hCGAscitic tap to look for cancer cells
What are the other causes of a raised CA-125? (5)
EndometriosisFibroidsPelvic infection Liver diseasePregnancy AdenomyosisAscites Endometrial cancer, breast cancer, metastatic lung cancer Menstruation
What is the staging of ovarian cancer?
Stage 1 - Confined to the ovary Stage 2 - Spread from the ovary but still inside the pelvis Stage 3 - Spread past the pelvis, but inside the abdomen Stage 4 - Spread outside the abdomenA - confined to one ovary B - Both ovaries
What is the management of ovarian cancer?
Surgery - Removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus Chemotherapy
Where does ovarian cancer commonly metastasise to?
Liver Lung
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where there is ectopic endometrial tissue outside of the uterus
What are the features of endometriosis? (5)
Abdominal or pelvic pain (cyclical)
Deep dyspareunia
Dysmenorrhoea
Infertility
Cylical urinary and bowel symptoms
Cyclical bleeding from other areas
What might be seen on examination of someone with endometriosis? (3)
Endometrial tissue in the vagina
Fixed cervix
Tenderness in the vagina, cervix and adnexa
What is the gold standard investigation of endometriosis?
Laparascopic surgery and biopsy of lesions
What is the initial investigation in patients with symptoms of endometriosis and what does it show?
Trans-vaginal ultrasound - often normal
What are the differentials of endometriosis? (3)
AdenomyosisInterstitial cystitis PIDIBS Ovarian cyst Ovarian cancer
What is the medical management of endometriosis? (5)
Analgesia - paracetamol or NSAIDsHormonal therapies - Combined OCP- Progesterone only pill- Depo injection GnRH agonists Mirena coil
What are the surgical management options for endometriosis?
Laparascopic surgery to ablate or excise endometrial tissueHysterectomy
What do GnRH agonists do in endometriosis?
Essentially induce menopause
How long must symptoms have persisted for a diagnosis of endometriosis?
Cyclical or continuous pain for over 6 months
Where is endometrial tissue commonly found outside of the uterus? (3)
Pouch of douglas Ovaries Uterosacral ligaments
What is an endometrioma?
A cystic lesion that stems from endometriosis
What is the appearance of endometriomas?
Cysts filled with dark brown endometrial fluid commonly found on the ovaries
What is the management of endometriomas?
Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy with excision of the cyst wall
What is the definition of miscarriage?
The spontaneous loss of pregnancy prior to 24 weeks gestation
What is defined as early and late miscarriage?
Early - before 12 weeks Late - 12-24 weeks
What is a missed miscarriage?
Fetus is no longer alive, but there were no symptoms of miscarriage
What is a threatened miscarriage?
Vaginal bleeding with a closed cervix, and a fetus that is still alive
What is an inevitable miscarriage?
Vaginal bleeding with an open cervix
What is an incomplete miscarriage?
Retained products of conception remain in the uterus after miscarriage
What is a complete miscarriage?
A full miscarriage has occurred and there are no products of conception that remain in the uterus
What is an anembryonic pregnancy?
A gestation sac is present but contains no fetus
What is the investigation of choice for diagnosis of a miscarriage?
Transvaginal ultrasound
What other investigation is useful in diagnosis of miscarriage?
Beta hCG levels
What features on ultrasound will a sonographer look for to determine if a pregnancy is viable?
Fetal heartbeat Fetal pole and crown-rump length Mean gestational sac diameter
What is the definition of recurrent miscarriage?
The loss of 3 or more consecutive pregnancies
When would a fetal heartbeat be detectable?
When crown-rump length is more than 7mm
What is a fetal pole?
When the margin of the yolk sac thickens
When would a fetal pole be expected to develop?
When crown-rump length is 25mm
What is the main differential diagnosis for miscarriage?
Ectopic pregnancy
What are the fetal causes of miscarriage?
Placental failureAbnormal development Genetic disorders
What are the maternal causes of miscarriage? (3)
PCOS Poorly controlled diabetesUterine abnormality Poorly controlled thyroid disease Anti-phospholipid syndrome
What are the three management routes for miscarriage?
Expectant management Medical management Surgical management
What is expectant management of miscarriage?
Giving 1-2 weeks for miscarriage to occur naturally Pregnancy test after 3 weeks to confirm pregnancy has ended
What is the medical management of miscarriage?
Misoprostol (given as a suppository, or orally) to quicken the process of miscarriage
What is misoprostol?
Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analogue - it binds to prostaglandin receptors to soften the cervix and stimulate contractions
What are the surgical management options of miscarriage?
Manual vacuum aspiration under local anaesthetic Electric vacuum aspiration under general anaesthetic
What is the presentation of miscarriage?
Vaginal bleeding Vaginal tissue lossPain - worse than normal period pain
What are the features of PCOS? (5)
OligomenorrhoeaSubfertility Hirtuism Obesity Mood swings and depression Male pattern baldnessAcanthosis nigricans
What is the definition of oligomenorrhoea?
Infrequent, and irregular menstruation
What is the Rotterdam criteria?
2 of the 3 criteria are required for a diagnosis of PCOS:- Polycystic ovaries - more than 12 cysts seen on imaging or ovarian volume > 10cm cubed- Hyperandrogenism - hirtuism or acne - Oligoovulation or anovulation (presenting as irregular or infrequent periods)
What are alternative causes of hirtuism? (3)
Medications Ovarian or adrenal tumours (that secrete androgens)Cushing’s syndrome Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
What investigations are used to help diagnose PCOS, and what are the corresponding results? (3)
LH/FSH ratio (more than 2)Raised LH Total testosterone (raised)Prolactin (mildly elevated)17-hydroxyprogesterone (to exclude CAH)Oral glucose tolerance testTSH
What is the gold standard investigation for visualising the ovaries?
Transvaginal ultrasound
What is the initial management of PCOS? (3)
Weight lossLow glycaemic index, calorie controlled diet ExerciseSmoking cessation
What are the complications of PCOS? (3)
Endometrial hyperplasia and cancerType 2 diabetesInfertility Depression and anxietyObstructive sleep apnoea
What medications might patients be started on to reduce cardiovascular complications of PCOS?
Antihypertensives Statins
What medication can be used to reduce hirtuism?
Co-cyprindol (combined oral contraceptive pill)
What medication can be used to regulate menstrual bleeding in PCOS?
Combined oral contraceptive pill
What medication can be started in PCOS to increase fertility?
Clomifene
What is the action of clomifene?
Increase ovulation
What is the second line management for increasing fertility in PCOS?
Laparoscopic ovarian drilling- A laser is used to damage the hormone producing cells of the ovaries - this lowers the amount of testosterone made by the ovaries
What is the first line treatment for the management of acne in PCOS?
Combined oral contraceptive pill
What risk factors do women with PCOS have for endometrial cancer? (3)
Amenorrhoea Obesity DiabetesInsulin resistance
How is endometrial cancer risk reduced in women with PCOS?
Mirena coil Inducing a withdrawal bleed via:- Combined oral contraceptive pill (with a withdrawal bleed at least once every 3 months)- Cyclical progesterone only
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
When a pregnancy is implanted outside of the uterus
Where is the most common site of ectopic pregnancy?
Fallopian tube (ampulla)
What are the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy? (5)
Previous ectopic pregnancy Previous PID Previous surgery to the fallopian tubes Having an IUDOlder age > 35SmokingEndometriosis IVFAge < 18 years on first sexual intercourse Black race
At what gestation does ectopic pregnancy typically present?
6-8 weeks
What are the features of ectopic pregnancy? (5)
Missed period Constant pain in left or right iliac fossaVaginal bleeding Lower abdominal or pelvic tendernessCervical motion tendernessShoulder tip painDizziness
What is the main differential of an ectopic pregnancy?
Miscarriage
What is the investigation of choice for diagnosis of an ectopic?
Pregnancy test Transvaginal ultrasound
What may be seen on transvaginal ultrasound in the investigation of en ectopic pregnancy?
Gestational sac in the fallopian tube Non-specific mass in the fallopian tube An empty uterus Fluid in the uterus
What is a pregnancy of unknown location?
Where a pregnancy test has confirmed a pregnancy, but there is no evidence of pregnancy on an ultrasound scan