James Bloomer O&G Flashcards
Drugs to avoid in pregnancy
aspirin
sulphonylureas
carbimazole
ciprofloxacin
benzodiazepines
lithium
sulphonamides
tetracyclines
amiodarone
cytotoxic drugs
If not started on the first day of the menstrual cycle how long does an IUS take to work?
7 days
If not started on the first day of the menstrual cycle how long does an COCP take to work?
7 days
If not started on the first day of the menstrual cycle how long does an Nexplanon (implant) take to work?
7 days
If not started on the first day of the menstrual cycle how long does an Depo proverb (injection) take to work?
7 days
If not started on the first day of the menstrual cycle how long does an POP take to work?
2 days
If not started on the first day of the menstrual cycle how long does an IUD take to work?
Immediately
A 60-year-old woman presents lower abdominal discomfort, urinary frequency, bloating and abdominal distension
Ovarian cancer
A woman who is 10 weeks pregnant presents with vaginal bleeding. Ultrasound shows no fetus but a ‘snowstorm’ appearance. The B-hCG is markedly elevated
Hydatidiform mole
Complete hydatidiform mole
Benign tumour of trophoblastic material. Occurs when an empty egg is fertilized by a single sperm that then duplicates its own DNA, hence the all 46 chromosomes are of paternal origin
Features
bleeding in first or early second trimester
exaggerated symptoms of pregnancy e.g. hyperemesis
uterus large for dates
very high serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
hypertension and hyperthyroidism (hCG may mimic TSH) may be seen
Management
urgent referral to specialist centre - evacuation of the uterus is performed
effective contraception is recommended to avoid pregnancy in the next 12 months
Around 2-3% go on to develop choriocarcinoma
Partial hydatidiform mole
A normal haploid egg may be fertilized by two sperms, or by one sperm with duplication of the paternal chromosomes. Therefore the DNA is both maternal and paternal in origin. Usually triploid - e.g. 69 XXX or 69 XXY. Fetal parts may be seen
PPH
Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) is defined as blood loss of > 500mls and may be primary or secondary
Primary PPH
occurs within 24 hours
affects around 5-7% of deliveries
most common cause of PPH is uterine atony (90% of cases). Other causes include genital trauma and clotting factors
Risk factors:
previous PPH
prolonged labour
pre-eclampsia
increased maternal age
polyhydramnios
emergency Caesarean section
placenta praevia
macrosomia
ritodrine (a beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist used for tocolysis)
Management
ABC
IV syntocinon (oxytocin) 10 units or IV ergometrine 500 mcg
IM carboprost
other options include: B-Lynch suture, ligation of the uterine arteries or internal iliac arteries
if severe, uncontrolled haemorrhage then a hysterectomy is sometimes performed as a life-saving procedure
Secondary PPH
occurs between 24 hours - 12 weeks**
due to retained placental tissue or endometritis
Cervical cancer
The incidence of cervical cancer peaks around the 6th decade. It may be divided into
squamous cell cancer (80%)
adenocarcinoma (20%)
Features
may be detected during routine cervical cancer screening
abnormal vaginal bleeding: postcoital, intermenstrual or postmenopausal bleeding
vaginal discharge
Risk factors
human papilloma virus 16,18 & 33
smoking
human immunodeficiency virus
early first intercourse, many sexual partners
high parity
lower socioeconomic status
combined oral contraceptive pill*
PID
Caused by:
Chlamydia trachomatis - the most common cause
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Mycoplasma genitalium
Mycoplasma hominis
Features
lower abdominal pain
fever
deep dyspareunia
dysuria and menstrual irregularities may occur
vaginal or cervical discharge
cervical excitation
Investigation
screen for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
Management
Low threshold for treatment
oral ofloxacin + oral metronidazole or intramuscular ceftriaxone + oral doxycycline + oral metronidazole
RCOG guidelines suggest that in mild cases of PID intrauterine contraceptive devices may be left in.
Complications
infertility - the risk may be as high as 10-20% after a single episode
chronic pelvic pain
ectopic pregnancy
Syntocinon
Syntocinon is a synthetic version of oxytocin that is used in the active management of third stage of labour. It stimulates the contraction of the uterus reducing the risk of postpartum haemorrhage. It is also used to induce labour.
Ergometrine
Ergometrine is an ergot alkaloid which is used as an alternative to oxytocin in the active management of third stage of labour. By constricting vascular smooth muscle of the uterus it can decrease blood loss.
Mechanism of action
stimulates alpha adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors
Adverse effects
coronary artery spasm
Mifepristone
Mifepristone is used in combination with misoprostol to terminate pregnancies. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analog that causes uterine contractions.
Mechanism of action
competitive progesterone receptor antagonist
Adverse effects
menorrhagia
Placenta accreta
Placenta accreta describes the attachment of the placenta to the myometrium, due to a defective decidua basalis. As the placenta does not properly separate during labour there is a risk of post-partum haemorrhage.
Risk factors
previous caesarean section
placenta praevia
Pre-eclampsia
Complications?
Maternal:
Eclampsia, cerebrovascular accidents, liver/renal failure, homeless, HELLP, pulmonary oedema
Fetal:
IUGR, abruption, morbidity and mortality
Pre-eclampsia
Management?
Admit if - BP 160/110+ and PCR>30 or 24hr collection >0.3g/24h
Antihypertensives if - BP 150/100mmHg
Steroids if - Moderate/severe at
Pre-eclampsia
Mild: proteinuria and mild hypertension
Moderate: proteinuria and severe hypertension (160/110mmHg)
Severe: proteinuria and any hypertension
Primary Dysmenorrhoea
Dysmenorrhoea is characterised by excessive pain during the menstrual period.
In primary dysmenorrhoea there is no underlying pelvic pathology. It affects up to 50% of menstruating women and usually appears within 1-2 years of the menarche. Excessive endometrial prostaglandin production is thought to be partially responsible.
Features:
pain typically starts just before or within a few hours of the period starting
suprapubic cramping pains which may radiate to the back or down the thigh
Management:
NSAIDs such as mefenamic acid and ibuprofen are effective in up to 80% of women. They work by inhibiting prostaglandin production
combined oral contraceptive pills are used second line
Secondary Dysmenorrhoea
Secondary dysmenorrhoea typically develops many years after the menarche and is the result of an underlying pathology. In contrast to primary dysmenorrhoea the pain usually starts 3-4 days before the onset of the period.
Causes include:
endometriosis
adenomyosis
pelvic inflammatory disease
intrauterine devices*
fibroids
Recommend referring all patients with secondary dysmenorrhoea to gynaecology for investigation.
*this refers to normal copper coils. Note that the intrauterine system (Mirena) may help dysmenorrhoea
Levonorgestrel
Should be taken as soon as possible - efficacy decreases with time
Must be taken within 72 hrs of unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI)*
Single dose of levonorgestrel 1.5mg (a progesterone)
Mode of action not fully understood - acts both to stop ovulation and inhibit implantation
84% effective is used within 72 hours of UPSI
Levonorgestrel is safe and well tolerated. Disturbance of the current menstrual cycle is seen in a significant minority of women. Vomiting occurs in around 1%
If vomiting occurs within 2 hours then the dose should be repeated
Can be used more than once in a menstrual cycle if clinically indicated
Ulipristal
Progesterone receptor modulator currently marketed as EllaOne. The primary mode of action is thought to be inhibition of ovulation
30mg oral dose taken as soon as possible, no later than 120 hours after intercourse
Concomitant use with levonorgestrel is not recommended
May reduce the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptive pills and progesterone only pills
Caution should be exercised in patients with severe asthma
Repeated dosing within the same menstrual cycle is not recommended
Breastfeeding should be delayed for one week after taking ulipristal. There are no such restrictions on the use of levonorgestrel