Gynaecology Week Flashcards
define heavy menstrual bleeding
excessive menstrual blood loss which interferes with a woman’s physical, emotional, social and material quality of life
what is DUB
dysfunctional uterine bleeding not associated with any organic disease of the genital tract
what is uterine leiomyoma also known as
fibroids - benign growths which can cause heavy regular period
what is endometriosis
a condition where endometrial tissue can be found outside of the uterus. Causes painful peroids, persistent pain in the pelvic area and infertility
what is dysmenorrhoea
painful menstrual periods
primary tends to be idiopathic
secondary tends to be due to endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease
under what circumstances would NICE recommend biopsy of the endometrium
persistent intermenstrual bleeding
women aged > 40
failure of treatment
according to NICE under what circumstances should ultrasound imaging be used?
abdominally palpable uterus
PV reveals pelvic mass of uncertain origin
failure of pharmaceutical treatment
if US inconclusive hysteroscopy may be used
what symptoms may be suggestive of structural/histological abnormality in pts complaining of menorrhagia
intermentrual bleeding
post-coital bleeding
pelvic pain/pressure symptoms
what pharmaceutical agents are available for women with HMB
the merina IUD tranexamic acid mefenamic acid COC GnRH analogues
(Norethisterone should NOT be used for regular menorrhagia)
what is tranexamic acid
it is an anti-fibrinolytic which can be taken during menses (1g tds) to reduce bleeding by around 50%
it is good for women unable to tolerate hormonal therapies
what is mefenamic acid
it is an NSAID with minor anti-inflammatory properties.
it can be used to menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea as it is an analgaesic and reduces heavy bleeding (500mg tds).
NSAIDs work by reducing prostaglandin production by inhibit cyclo-oxygenase
what is norethisterone?
a progesterone which can be used to promote regular cycles (NOT to treat menorrhagia)
15mg od on days 5 -> 26 of the mentrual cycle.
in high doses can stop very heavy bleeding short term
under what circumstances might GnRH analogues such as leuprorelin or triptorelin be used
pre-op to shrink fibroids or if surgery is contraindicated
pt may require HRT as can experience hot flushes and bone demineralisation
limited to 6-12 months use
what are the surgical options for a woman with HMB
endometrial ablation (HMB + uterus 10wks) Hysterectomy
what happens in endometrial ablation
destruction of the endometrium down to the basal layer
decreases fertility but increases the chances of complications in pregnancy –> should use contraception
80-90% of women have significant improvement in symptoms and 30% become amenorrhoeic
20% will require a further procedure by 5 yrs
when might a hysterectomy be considered
other treatment options have failed/been declined
wish for amenorrhoea
upon woman’s request
no long wish to retain fertility
what are the red flag symptoms for ectopic pregnancy
pelvic tenderness
adnexal tenderness
abdominal tenderness
cervical motion tenderness
if combined with a positive pregnancy test must be urgently refered to early prenancy assessment service
what is the incidence of ectopic pregnancy
11 per 1000 pregnancies
what are the predisposing factors to ectopic pregnancy
previous PID (UK: chlamydia; world: gonorrhoea) previous ectopic pregnancy tubal surgery smoking increasing maternal age
what investigations can be used to detect ectopic pregnancy
serum hCG (likely intrauterine if increased by >63% in 48hrs) TV US (locate foetal pole and heartbeat)
what are the common presenting symptom of ectopic pregnancy
abdo/pelvic pain amenorrhoea/missed period vaginal bleeding dyspareunia cervical excitation
when would conservative treatment of ectopic pregnancy be appropriate
hCG< 1000 and unknown location
50% resolve spontaneously
monitor via weekly scan and twice weekly hCG assay
what is the first line medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy
systemic methotrexate (folate antagonist)
indicated if:
- no significant pain
- unruptured pregnancy with adnexal mass < 1500