Gynaecology Flashcards
What are the risk factors for endometrial cancer?
- Obesity
- Nulliparity
- Early menarche
- Late menopause
- Unopposed oestrogen. The addition of a progestogen to oestrogen reduces this risk (e.g. In HRT). The BNF states that the additional risk is eliminated if a progestogen is given continuously
- Diabetes mellitus
- Tamoxifen
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma (Lynch syndrome)
What are the protective risk factors for endometrial cancer?
The combined oral contraceptive pill and smoking are protective.
What is the first line investigation performed in women suspected of endometrial cancer?
- Women >= 55 years who present with postmenopausal bleeding should be referred using the suspected cancer pathway
- First-line investigation is trans-vaginal ultrasound - a normal endometrial thickness (< 4 mm) has a high negative predictive value
- Hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy
Symptoms of cervical ectropion?
- Vaginal discharge (excessive, non-purulent)
- Post-coital bleeding (fine blood vessels easily traumatised)
An offensive, yellow/green, frothy vaginal discharge is seen in what condition?
Trichomonas vaginalis.
- Erythematous cervix with pinpoint areas of exudation (strawberry cervix)
A ‘Cottage cheese’ vaginal discharge is seen in what condition?
Candida.
- ‘Cottage cheese’ discharge
- Vulvitis
- Itch
An offensive, thin, white/grey, ‘fishy’ vaginal discharge is seen in what condition?
Bacterial vaginosis
Amsel’s criteria for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis - 3 of the following 4 points should be present:
- Thin, white homogenous discharge
- Clue cells on microscopy: stippled vaginal epithelial cells
- Vaginal pH > 4.5
- Positive whiff test (addition of potassium hydroxide results in fishy odour)
What is the pharmacological management for primary dysmenorrhoea?
NSAIDs such as mefenamic acid and ibuprofen are first line.
Combined oral contraceptive pills are used second line.
What is the pharmacological management for a women presenting with menorrhagia who does not require contraception?
Either:
- Mefenamic acid 500 mg tds (particularly if there is dysmenorrhoea as well)
OR
- Tranexamic acid 1 g tds
Both are started on the first day of the period
What is the management for a women presenting with menorrhagia who also requires ongoing contraception?
1st line: Intrauterine system IUS (Mirena)
2nd line: Combined oral contraceptive pill
3rd line: Long acting progestogen (Depo-Provera)
What is the pharmacological management for vaginal candidiasis (thrush)?
Local treatments include clotrimazole pessary (e.g. clotrimazole 500mg PV stat)
Oral treatments include itraconazole 200mg PO bd for 1 day or fluconazole 150mg PO stat
If pregnant then only local treatments (e.g. cream or pessaries) may be used - oral treatments are contraindicated!
Hyperemesis gravidarum is associated with which conditions?
- Multiple pregnancies
- trophoblastic disease/ molar pregnancies
- hyperthyroidism
- nulliparity
- obesity
Multiple and molar pregnancies have been associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, thought to be due to the increased placental mass, and therefore higher beta-hCG levels.
What are the 3 diagnostic criteria triad for hyperemesis gravidarum?
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommend that the following triad is present before diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum:
- 5% pre-pregnancy weight loss AND
- Dehydration AND
- Electrolyte imbalance
What does PUQE score measure?
Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) score is a validated scoring system that can be used to classify the severity of nausea and vomitting of pregnancy (NVP).
When is hyperemesis most common?
It occurs in around 1% of pregnancies and is thought to be related to raised beta hCG levels.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is most common between 8 and 12 weeks but may persist up to 20 weeks (and in very rare cases beyond 20 weeks).
What is the pharmacological management for hyperemesis?
1st line:
Antihistamines: Oral Cyclizine or Promethazine.
Phenothiazines: Oral Prochlorperazine or Chlorpromazine
2nd line:
- Oral Ondansetron: ondansetron during the first trimester is associated with a small increased risk of the baby having a cleft lip/palate.
- Oral Metoclopramide or Domperidone: Metoclopramide may cause extrapyramidal side effects. It should therefore not be used for more than 5 days
Admission may be needed for IV hydration.
What are the management options for fibroids?
If a uterine fibroid is less than 3cm in size, and not distorting the uterine cavity, medical treatment can be tried (e.g. IUS, tranexamic acid, COCP etc)
- Symptomatic management with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system IUS is recommended by CKS first-line
- Other options include tranexamic acid, combined oral contraceptive pill etc
- GnRH agonists (Leuprolide) may reduce the size of the fibroid but are typically useful for short-term treatment. Shrink the fibroid before surgery
- Surgery is sometimes needed: myomectomy, hysteroscopic endometrial ablation, hysterectomy
uterine artery embolization
What are the causes of secondary amenorrhoea?
Secondary amenorrhoea is defined as when menstruation has previously occurred but has now stopped for at least 6 months.
Causes of secondary amenorrhoea (after excluding pregnancy):
- hypothalamic amenorrhoea (e.g. Stress, excessive exercise)
- polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- hyperprolactinaemia
- premature ovarian failure
- thyrotoxicosis* (hypothyroidism may also cause amenorrhoea)
- Sheehan’s syndrome
- Asherman’s syndrome (intrauterine adhesions)
What are the symptoms of fibroids?
May be asymptomatic
- Menorrhagia
- Lower abdominal pain: cramping pains, often during menstruation
- Bloating
- Urinary symptoms, e.g. frequency, may occur with larger fibroids
- Subfertility
What is the most common causative organism of pelvic inflammatory disease?
Chlamydia trachomatis
other:
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Mycoplasma genitalium
- Mycoplasma hominis
What are the symptoms suggestive of PID?
- lower abdominal pain
- fever
- deep dyspareunia
- dysuria and menstrual irregularities may occur
- vaginal or cervical discharge
- cervical excitation
What are the important investigations performed in suspicion of PID?
- Pregnancy test should be done to exclude an ectopic pregnancy
- High vaginal swab (these are often negative)
- Screen for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
What is the Abx management for Pelvic inflammatory disease?
Oral Ofloxacin + Oral Metronidazole
OR
Intramuscular Ceftriaxone + oral Doxycycline + oral Metronidazole
- Removal of the IUD should be considered and may be associated with better short term clinical outcomes.
- mild cases of PID - can be left in
What are the complications associated with PID?
- Perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh Curtis Syndrome)
occurs in around 10% of cases
inflammation of the liver capsule with adhesion formation accompanied by right upper quadrant pain
may be confused with cholecystitis - Infertility, the risk may be as high as 10-20% after a single episode
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Ectopic pregnancy
Who is screened in the UK cervical cancer screening program and how often?
A smear test is offered to all women between the ages of 25-64 years
25-49 years: 3-yearly screening
50-64 years: 5-yearly screening
cervical screening cannot be offered to women over 64 (unlike breast screening, where patients can self refer once past screening age)
- cervical screening in pregnancy is usually delayed until 3 months post-partum unless missed screening or previous abnormal smears.
- women who have never been sexually active have very low risk of developing cervical cancer therefore they may wish to opt-out of screening
What are the features of endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common condition characterised by the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity.
- chronic pelvic pain
- dysmenorrhoea - pain often starts days before bleeding
- deep dyspareunia
- subfertility
- non-gynaecological: urinary symptoms e.g. dysuria, urgency, haematuria. Dyschezia (painful bowel movements)
- On pelvic examination reduced organ mobility, tender nodularity in the posterior vaginal fornix and visible vaginal endometriotic lesions may be seen
Which investigation is performed for suspected endometriosis?
Laparoscopy is the gold-standard investigation
What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?
- Family history: mutations of the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 gene
- Many Ovulations: Early menarche, Late menopause, Nulliparity
The COCP reduces the risk (fewer ovulations) as does having many pregnancies.