Infertility - Women Flashcards
When should a couple be referred to a fertility clinic?
Only if they’re been trying unsuccessfully for atleast 12 months or have other problems such as:
- Irregular Periods
- Relevant PMH
- Testicular Problems
- HIV/HEP B
- Serious Anxiety
> 35s can be referred after only 6 months
List some of the major causes for Female Infertility?
- Ovulatory Disorders
- Androgen-secreting Adrenal Tumour
- Prolactinoma
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Tumours
- Tubal Block
- Unexplained
What are the categories of ovulatory disorders?
Group 1 = Hypothalamic-Pituitary failure
Group 2 = Hypothalamic-Pit-Ovarian dysfunction (mainly PCOS)
Group 3 = Ovarian Failure
How would we treat someone with a Group 1 Ovulatory Disorder?
Optimise their BMI
Moderate exercise if very active
Ovulation induction with GnRH or LH
PCOS is the main Group 2 ovulatory disorder, what is it?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
How do we diagnose PCOS?
The Rotterdam Criteria. 2 out of 3 is +ve:
- Androgen excess (Ferriman Gallway Score)
- Infrequent Periods (Anovulation)
- US
What signs would you look for to indicate androgen excess?
- Hirsutism
- Acanthosis Nigricans
- Moderately raised testosterone (test DHEAS for androgen secreting tumours)
Score Androgen excess by a Ferriman Galway Score
How do we treat PCOS?
1) Optimise BMI
2) Ovulation Induction with Clomifene or Gonadotrophins
How does Clomifene work?
- Antagonises oestrogen receptors in pituitary.
- Causes hypothalamus to detect LOW oestrogen
- Hypothalmus stimulates increased secretion of FSH
Use 50-150mg on days 2-6, prime with progesterone if amenorrhoeic
What must we be careful of when using clomifene?
Ovarian Hyperstimulation
Multiple Pregnancy
Hence why we do Follicle Scanning in the 1st cycle and adjust the dose if required
When would we use Gonadotrophins to induce ovulation instead of clomifene?
If clomifene produces no ovulation or they do but they still don’t get pregnant.
Up to 3-6 cycles using FSH injection
How would you spot an androgen-secreting adrenal tumour?
Testosterone will be very elevated (much higher than in PCOS)
DHEAS will be raised. Follow up with an Adrenal CT.
Symptoms include Hirsutism and Acanthosis Nigricans
How would we treat a case of unexplained female infertility?
Don’t do ovulation induction
Just do IVF
What can cause Tubal block?
- Chlamydia
- Tumour
- Ectopic surgery
- Sterilization
- Fibroid
- Endometriosis
What kind of questions would we want to ask a woman when assessing fertility?
- Duration of infertility
- Past Fertility
- Past pregnancies Complciations
- Past Contraception
- PMH
- Menstrual History
- Sexual History
- Psychological Assessment