Gynecologic Health:Menstrual Cycle & Common Diseases lecture 14 Flashcards
External Female Reproductive Organs:Anatomy
Sure, here’s the information formatted as bullet points with corrected spelling, grammar, and accurate information:
- Mons Pubis: Fatty tissue over the symphysis pubis (pubic bone of the pelvis).
- Labia: Majora (outer) & Minora (inner).
- Vestibule: The area inside the inner labia.
- Clitoris.
- Perineum: The area between the vagina and anus.
- Vulva: A collective term for the labia, the head of the clitoris, urethral and vaginal openings; EXTERNAL, but the vagina is actually inside.
- Cervix: Has the internal os and the external os, which become the same during labor.
- Ovary:
- Size: Approximately 3 cm long, 2 cm wide, and 1 cm thick.
- Function: Ovulation and production of estrogen, progesterone, and androgen.
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Internal Female Reproductive Organs
- Vagina: A rugated (containing folds like scrotum) muscular organ that stretches and increases surface area to accommodate delivery.
- Sulcus Tear: Tears that occur in the spaces between the rugae in the vagina, often happening after birth, and can sometimes cause bleeding. They are challenging to see.
- Uterus: A hollow muscular organ.
- Cervix: Often referred to as the “neck” of the uterus, it effaces (thins out) and dilates (opens up) to allow the fetus to pass into the vagina during labor.
- Fundus: The superior muscular portion of the uterus.
- Corpus: The body of the uterus.
- Uterine Layers: Consist of the endometrium (inside lining), myometrium (muscular layer), and perimetrium (outer layer).
- Fallopian Tubes: The location of fertilization and the tube that transports ova (eggs) to the uterus. It has a narrow lumen that can be easily scarred.
- Ovary: Each ovary contains around 400,000 immature oocytes (eggs) from birth . It can go up to 1 million eggs between the two ovaries, but typically, only one matures each month. If more than one matures, it can lead to twins or triplets. Ovaries do not take turns ovulating; they compete to mature first.
- Ovaries: Produce estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.
Puberty
EXAM: Puberty is a broad term that denotes the entire transitional stage between childhood and sexual maturity.
Female Puberty
- Puberty Onset: Typically occurs between 8-13 years old, with a marked increase in changes by ages 8-11.
- Trigger: Puberty is triggered by the production of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) in the hypothalamus.
- Three Phases of Puberty:
- Thelarche: Development of breast buds. Tetas
- Adrenarche: Growth of axillary and pubic hair. Adrenal glands/top kidneys
- Menarche: The first occurrence of menstruation. The average age for menarche in the U.S. is 12 years old. This marks the last event in the pubertal process.
- Pubertal Initiation: Initiated by the hypothalamus, which sends signals to the anterior pituitary gland and the ovaries (the female gonad).
- Estrogen: Responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics during puberty.
Female Reproductive Cycle check slide
Ovarian Cycle is not always 28 days
Endometrial aka Uterine Cycle
Regulating Hormonal Cycle
Cyclic Breast Changes that happen simultaniously
Female Reproductive Cycle Hormones
- GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone): Released as part of a feedback system that can vary in response to other conditions and signals in the body. It is released by the hypothalamus and targets the anterior pituitary gland to stimulate the release of FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone). Indirectly, GnRH stimulates the production of progesterone and estrogen.
- FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Produced by the anterior pituitary gland, FSH is responsible for promoting egg maturation in the ovary.
- Follicle: Refers to an immature egg in the ovary.
- Ovulation Day: Typically occurs around day 14 in the menstrual cycle, when the mature egg is released from the ovarian follicle.
- LH (Luteinizing Hormone): At midcycle, LH is responsible for triggering the release of the egg from the ovarian follicle into the fallopian tube, a process known as ovulation.
- Estrogen (Estradiol): Produced by the ovaries, estrogen is responsible for maintaining the uterine lining.
- Progesterone: Progesterone is responsible for maintaining the uterine lining. It typically has low levels in the follicular phase (the first part of the menstrual cycle) and rises in the luteal phase (the second part of the menstrual cycle). It is produced in the ovary, specifically in the corpus luteum (meaning “yellow body” or “yellow shell”), which forms after the egg is released, and also by the adrenal glands.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis
Here’s the information formatted as bullet points with corrected spelling, grammar, and accurate information:
- Hypothalamus: Releases GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone), which stimulates the…
- Anterior Pituitary: First releases FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone), which stimulates the maturation of Graafian primordial follicles.
- Anterior Pituitary: Then releases LH (Luteinizing Hormone), which triggers the release of the ovum (egg) from one of the follicles.
- Empty Follicle: The follicle from which the egg is released then becomes the corpus luteum.
Ovarian Cycle:
3 Phases
- Follicular Phase (Phase 1): Occurs from Day 1 to Day 14 of the menstrual cycle. During this phase, the follicle/egg matures in response to FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) released from the pituitary gland. If a patient has a long menstrual cycle, this phase is usually the longest.
- Ovulatory Phase (Phase 2): Ovulation typically occurs around Day 14 of the menstrual cycle, lasting for about 24-48 hours (though it can vary by individual).
- Luteal Phase (Phase 3): Post-ovulatory, occurring from Day 14 to Day 28 of the menstrual cycle.
Endometrial aka Uterine Cycle happens simultaneously to the the Ovarian Cycle.
4 Phases
- Menstrual Phase 1:
- Duration: 1-5 days.
- During this phase, endometrial cells shed.
- Proliferative Phase 2 :
- Endometrial growth increases by 6-8 times.
- Glands within the endometrium enlarge due to estrogen.
- Cervical mucus becomes thin, watery, alkaline, and elastic.
- Secretory Phase 3:
- Begins with ovulation.
- Endometrial growth continues, driven by estrogen.
- An increase in progesterone supports endometrial and gland growth.
- Increased vascularity is observed.
- If pregnancy occurs during this phase, the process stops and supports the pregnancy.
- Ischemic Phase (Phase 4, if no fertilization):
- Occurs if fertilization does not take place.
- The corpus luteum degenerates and becomes corpus albicans (white body).
- There is a decrease in estrogen and progesterone.
- Ischemia (tissue death) occurs under the epithelial lining, leading to the rupture of small blood vessels and constriction of arteries.
- This phase marks the return to the menstrual phase as the endometrium is shed from the body.
- hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin):
- In case of pregnancy of the woman and at about 8-10 weeks, the corpus luteum ceases to be responsible for releasing the hormones that maintain the pregnancy.
- Human chorionic gonadotropin takes over the functions of the corpus luteum. (hCG) is produced by the chorion (placenta) and takes over the role of maintaining the pregnancy.
- In case of pregnancy of the woman and at about 8-10 weeks, the corpus luteum ceases to be responsible for releasing the hormones that maintain the pregnancy.
- The hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH).
- The pituitary secretes FSH and LH.
- The FSH and LH stimulate follicle growth.
- The follicles start to make estradiol.
Several follicles begin to grow with each cycle, but usually only one matures. - Around day 12 estradiol levels rise steeply.
Rising estradiol stimulates a LH surge by positive feedback. - The LH surge triggers ovulation: the follicle ruptures, releasing the secondary oocyte.
- The follicle left in the ovary forms the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone and estradiol.
- Rising progesterone and estradiol levels stimulate thickening of the uterine wall, or endometrium.
If pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum continues secreting progesterone and estradiol to maintain the endometrium
Otherwise, it disintegrates, and hormone levels drop, resulting in the loss of endometrial tissue as menstrual flow.
Prostaglandins and the Menstrual Cycle
- Note: If someone experiences fertility issues or recurrent miscarriages, they may be prescribed progesterone.
- Prostaglandins are Lipids with Hormone-like Action:
- These lipids can raise body temperature and may cause fever.
- They are not classified as hormones because they are not released by glandular tissue and are present throughout the body.
- MISO-PROSTOL:
- It is prostaglandin-based and is used to:
- Ripen the cervix.
- May cause hemorrhaging.
- Can be used to induce abortion. (Prostaglandins act on the smooth muscle cells of the uterine wall, causing them to contract.)
- Side effects may include diarrhea when too many prostaglandins are administered.
- It is prostaglandin-based and is used to:
- Hemabate:
- Also prostaglandin-based.
- May cause even worse diarrhea, and in such cases, Imodium may be given to alleviate the symptoms.
- Prostaglandins have various roles in body functions, including immune and clotting actions.
- They are released by tissues throughout the body and respond to hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle.
- Prostaglandins also play a role in causing muscle contractions during the menstrual cycle.
- They can be used to alleviate cramping post-birth or during the menstrual period, and they may be administered to induce labor if necessary.
Cancers of the Reproductive Tract
Women 50-60 years old
Ovarian Cancer
Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Vaginal Cancer
Vulvar Cancer
Incidence/Mortality of GYN Cancers:
Breast cancer is the most prevalent (numero 1) in women cancers but not the deadliest.
- Incidence/Mortality of GYN Cancers:
- Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women, but it is not the deadliest.
- 1 Breast Cancer: Most prevalent among women.
- 2 Endometrial Cancer:
- 3 Ovarian Cancer: Despite being less common than breast and endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer has a higher mortality rate. It is often referred to as the “silent cancer” because it tends to remain asymptomatic until it reaches an advanced stage. Screening for ovarian cancer is limited, and it is often discovered accidentally or at a late stage.
- 4 Cervical Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer:
- Often remains undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen.
- At this late stage, ovarian cancer becomes difficult to treat and is often fatal.
- Ovarian cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all cancers among women, but it causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
- BRCA (BReast CAncer) gene mutations: These mutations are related to the risk of developing prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer.
- Prophylactic Oophorectomy: This surgical procedure involves the removal of the ovaries to prevent cancer from developing, particularly in the context of a high genetic risk such as BRCA mutations.
“Oophoro-“ is derived from the Greek word “oophoros,” which means “ovary.” In Greek, “oo” (ᾠόν) means “egg,” and “phoros” (φορός) means “bearing” or “carrying.
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Ovarian Cancer BRCA
- Ovarian Cancer and BRCA (Breast Cancer) Genes:
- Genetic Predisposition: A small percentage of ovarian cancers are caused by inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA mutations. These genetic mutations can increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Yes, it is true that a small percentage of ovarian cancers are caused by inherited gene mutations, including BRCA mutations. Here’s some more information about the connection between ovarian cancer and BRCA genes:
- BRCA Gene Mutations: BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that are associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers when they are mutated. Individuals who inherit a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene from one of their parents have an increased risk of developing these cancers.
- Increased Ovarian Cancer Risk: Women who carry a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to those without these mutations. The exact level of risk varies depending on the specific mutation and other factors, but it’s generally higher than the risk in the general population.
- Hereditary Ovarian Cancer Syndrome: The presence of BRCA mutations is associated with a condition known as hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome. This syndrome includes an increased risk of both breast and ovarian cancers.
- Genetic Testing: Genetic testing can identify the presence of BRCA mutations in individuals and their families. Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer or who belong to certain ethnic groups with a higher prevalence of these mutations may consider genetic testing to assess their risk.
*Ovarian Cancer Symptoms:“Silent Stalker”
- Ovarian Cancer Symptoms:
- Ovarian cancer is often called the “Silent Stalker” because there is no routine screening for it, and it is not typically suspected until it has advanced.
- Symptoms may include:
- General abdominal discomfort or pain
- Gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea, diarrhea, or constipation
- Frequent urination
- Feeling of fullness
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Vaginal bleeding outside of period
- Back pain and fatigue
- Painful intercourse
Slide 26
Only a few people are familiar with ovarian cancer and its symptoms
Ovarian Cancer: Risk Factors
- Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors:
- Advancing age
- Early onset of menstruation (menarche) and late menopause (xk you have more periods and hormonal fluctuations in this life)
- Giving birth to a first child after the age of 30
- Personal or family history of breast or colon cancer
- History of using fertility drugs
- Significant exposure to hormones either indrognoues or supplements anna
- High-fat diet
- Androgens: These are male hormones.
- Danazol: A drug that increases androgen levels. Some small studies have linked it to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
- Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid®): Some research suggests that using the fertility drug clomiphene citrate for longer than one year may increase the risk of developing ovarian tumors.
Nursing Care: Ovarian Cancer
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Help
- Help identify women at the highest risk for ovarian cancer.
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Encourage
- Encourage regular GYN health assessments.
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Provide
- Provide emotional and psychosocial support to individuals facing ovarian cancer.
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Educate and Prepare
- Educate and prepare individuals for surgery as part of their treatment plan.
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Post
- Post-surgery follow-up care to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.