Gynecology Part 1 Flashcards
Define primary and secondary amenorrhea.
Prim: No menses by age 14 without other pubertal development or by age 16 with other pubertal development.
Sec: Absent menses for 3 cycles or 6 months in previously menstruating woman.
What is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea?
Pregnancy
List and describe anatomic causes of pathologic amenorrhea.
Mullerian Agenesis: congenital absence of all or part of vagina and uterus.
Imperforate Hymen or Transverse Vaginal Septum
Vaginal Atresia: lower vagina fails to develop
Intrauterine Synechiae: AKA Asherman Syndrome - endometrial scarring s/p vigorous uterine curettage
Cervical Stenosis: can be s/p D&C, cone biopsy, infection.
List and describe endocrine causes of pathologic amenorrhea.
Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism: no synthesis of ovarian hormones s/p loss of oocytes before age 40.
Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism: Dec LH/FSH s/p hypothalamic or pituitary disorder.
Eugonadotropic Hypogonadism: amenorrhea w/o abnormal LH/FSH levels
How is the diagnosis of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism made?
Two FSH levels > 40 drawn more than 1 month apart
List some causes of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.
Turner Syndrome, other chromosomal abnormalities, chemotherapy, radiation, infection, autoimmune
What is the treatment of of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism?
hormone (estrogen) replacement therapy
List some causes of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
Hypothalamic: Kallman Syndrome, brain tumor, stress, weight loss. –> dec GnRH = dec FSh and LH
Pituitary: tumor (prolactinoma most common), metastatic tumor, Sheehan’s Syndrome
Chronic Illness: CKD, AIDS, advanced liver disease
What is the treatment of of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?
hormone (estrogen) replacement therapy and/or tumor resection
List some causes of eugonadotropic hypogonadism.
PCOS, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperprolactinemia, hypothyroidism
What is the treatment of of eugonadotropic hypogonadism?
hormone (estrogen) replacement therapy and treatment of the underlying cause
How is the diagnosis of secondary amenorrhea caused by hypothalamic dysfunction made?
Low FSH and LH, low estradiol, normal prolactin
How is the diagnosis of secondary amenorrhea caused by pituitary dysfunction made?
Low FSH and LH, high prolactin, tumor visible on imaging
By what mechanism does hyperprolactinemia cause amenorrhea?
High prolactin inhibits release of GnRH from hypothalamus causing decreased FSH/LH from pituitary.
Define and describe a progesterone challenge test used to assess the cause of amenorrhea..
Give 10mg medoxyprogesterone (provera) for 10 days. Withdrawal bleeding (occurs 2-7 days after progesterone withdrawn) indicates estrogen is present and cause is annovulation No withdrawal bleeding indicates cause is low estrogen or uterine anomaly.
What should be included in the work-up of a patient with amenorrhea?
#1 is pregnancy test Also pelvic exam (genetic testing if no uterus), TSH, FSH, prolactin (brain MRI if elevated)
Describe the fertility potential in the various causes of amenorrhea.
Anatomic: conceive s/p correction of abnormality
Hypergonadotropic: conceive with donor egg and IVF
Hypogonadotropic: Treated with pulsatile GnRH
Eugonadotropic: fertility aid (clomiphene citrate - stimulates release of FSH/LH)
When a patient presenting with amenorrhea also presents with visual field defects and polyuria, what is the likely cause?
Hypothalamic-pituitary disease
When a patient presenting with amenorrhea also presents with galactorrhea, what is the likely cause?
Hyperprolactinemia
When a patient presenting with amenorrhea also presents with hot flashes and vaginal dryness, what is the likely cause?
Estrogen deficiency
What medications are known to cause amenorrhea?
OCPs, Danazol (suppresses FSH and LH), metoclopramide
What is the cause of amenorrhea seen in high performance athletes?
Suppression of hypothalamic GnRH release
Define and describe lichen sclerosus.
Chronic inflammatory dermatosis causing itching, irritation, and dyspareunia (pain during sex). Mostly affects post-menopausal women.
What is the treatment for lichen sclerosus?
Clobetasol (topical steroid) 1-2 times per day for 6-12 weeks followed by a maintenance topical steroid.
Define and describe lichen planus?
Chronic inflammatory condition affecting nails, scalp, and skin with chronic eruption of shiny purple papules with white striae on the vulva. Can cause vaginal adhesions and scarring over time.
What is the treatment for lichen planus?
Clobetasol 1-2 times per day for 6-12 weeks
Define and describe lichen simplex chronicus?
Thickened skin with accentuated skin markings s/p chronic itching and scratching.
What is the treatment for lichen simplex chronicus?
Medium to high potency topical steroid bid for at least 6 weeks.
Define and describe vulvar psoriasis?
Silver-red scaly patches on the genital area
What is the treatment for vulvar psoriasis?
Topical steroids and UV light
Describe generalized management of benign epithelial disorders of the vagina and vulva. Also list a a treatment that might be thought to work but is actually not indicated.
Treatment: maintain hygiene, loose fitting clothing, unscented detergent and soap, high potency topical steroid (clobetasol).
No role for topical estrogen or progesterone
What is the most common tumor found on the vulva and what is its cause?
Epidermal inclusion cysts s/p occlusion of a pilosebaceous duct or hair follicle
Define and describe Fox-Fordyce Disease and Hidradentitis Supparativa.
F-F: entrapment of apocrine sweat with resultant inflammation causing itchy, red bumps around hair follicles.
HS: Painful lumps that form under the skin that can burst open or form tunnels under the skin.
Define and describe Skene’s gland cysts
Cysts typically caused by blocked glands next to the urethral meatus. Can abscess or cause UTIs.
Define and describe Bartholin’s Duct cysts and abscesses.
Blockage of the glands/ducts that secrete mucus to the hymenal ring at the 4 and 8 o’clock positions of the vaginal ring. Treatment may include duct dilation, I&D, or marsupialization (cyst is incised and cyst wall sutured to the vaginal mucosa).
Define and describe lipomas of the vagina and vulva.
Soft tumors composed of mature fat cells and fibrous strands. Do not require removal unless large and symptomatic.
Define and describe cherry hemangiomas.
Elevated, soft red papules that contain an abnormal proliferation of blood vessels
Define and describe urethral caruncles.
Small, red, fleshy tumors found at the distal urethral meatus.
Define the terms menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, polymenorrhea, and oligomenorrhea associated with dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Men: prolonged (7+ days), heavy (80+ ml) uterine bleeding at regular intervals
Met: variable amounts of uterine bleeding at frequent, irregular intervals
Poly: Short intervals (<21 days) of uterine bleeding
Olig: Long (35+ days) intervals of uterine bleeding
Describe the reproductive tract organic causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Uterine lesions: endometrial CA, endometrial hyperplasia, submucosal fibroid, endometrial polyps, endometritis, adenomyosis
Other causes: pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease (molar pregnancy, etc.), IUDs, contraception, HRT, psychotropic medications