Lecture 12 - Endocrine Pathophysiology II: Sex Flashcards
Why do women gain weight at menopause?
Because running the menstrual cycle uses 1 pound of fat each month
How many menstrual cycles in a lifetime?
~500
What causes menopause?
By about 50, the number and robustness of the follicles in the ovaries have decreased significantly => less primary follicles developing each month => less estrogen is produced => reduced negative feedback on the hypothalamus and causes an increase in LH and FSH secretion => initial increase in gonadotropins which continues menstruation => eventually there are so few follicles that menstruation stops entirely => individual becomes infertile
Describe cervical cancer progression from HPV infection.
Sexual activity => HPV =>
- Low risk (6, 11) => episomal infection => condolyma
- High risk (16, 18) => viral integration => cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) => higher grade CIN => invasive cancer => metastasis
For what % of cervical cancers is HPV responsible for?
Almost 100%
How does HPV cause cancer?
Proteins E6 and E7 bind RB and p53
Where do cervical cancers arise? Why?
Transformation zone: at the region of transition from the endocervical canal lined by simple columnar epithelium to the stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium
Because the non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium is only one cell thick there (metaplastic epithelium)
Where is the cervical transformation zone from birth to adulthood? Implication?
It starts inside the cervical opening and then migrates out of the cervical opening in the young adult
Then it migrates back up to original location
Cervix more likely to be infected by HPV in the young adult
What fraction of HPV viruses do the vaccines cover?
2/3
Test for HPV?
Pap smear
What is endometriosis? Mechanism?
Condition in which tissue that normally grows inside the uterus (endometrium) grows outside it and grow and slough off in synchrony with the menstrual cycles
Mechanism: retrograde movement of endometrial cells out of the Fallopian tube and into the pelvis or abdomen in the Douglas pouch or the utero-vesicular pouch
Symptoms of endometriosis?
Pain during menstruation
Treatment for endometriosis?
Birth control to stop periods
Is endometriosis an issue during pregnancy?
No because no menstrual cycles
In what % of women do leiomyomas occur?
30-50%
Issues caused by leiomyomas?
- Painful
2. Hard to carry a pregnancy to term if they are large
What is the most common cancer of the female reproductive tract? What women does it affect?
Endometrial cancer
Affects postmenopausal women
Early symptom of endometrial cancer?
Bleeding
Survival rate of endometrial cancer? Why?
Good because bleeding is the first symptom and it happens in postmenopausal women so they seek attention right away
Treatment for endometrial cancer?
Hysterectomy
What is salpingitis?
Inflammation of the Fallopian tube(s)
Causes of salpingitis?
- Almost always a component of pelvic inflammatory disease
- Infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, tuberculosis
- Endometriosis
What is a salpinx?
Fallopian tube
Symptoms of salpingitis?
- Pain
2. Asymptomatic
Complication of salpingitis?
Scarring => ectopic pregnancy or infertility as egg cannot move through the tube => can cause damage or destruction of the tubes OR exsanguination
What is PCOS?
Genotypic XX female who previously had normal menstrual cycles exhibits signs of excess androgens (especially androstenedione):
- Amenorrhea: absence of menstruation
- Hirsutism: excessive hair growth
- Clitoromegaly
- Virilization: development of male physical characteristics
What is PID?
Inflammation of either the Fallopian tubes or the uterus
Describe the ovaries of patients with PCOS. What to note?
Thickened white tissue capsule around the ovary (a physical barrier to ovulation) due to the anabolic effects of the high levels of androgens + cystic follicles
Note: cystic follicles are NOT the same as ovarian cysts
Note: PCOS refers to the cystic appearance of the secondary follicles that are arrested in their pre-ovulatory state
How does adipose tissue play a role in PCOS?
- Adipose tissue contains aromatase that converts the excess androstenedione into estrone
- Excess estrone disrupts the usual pulsating secretion of LHRH secreted by the hypothalamus => excess LH secretion + decreased FSH secretion
3a. Increased LH levels stimulate the theca cells of the ovary to secrete even more androgens (androstenedione) => vicious cycle
3b. Decreased FSH levels fail to stimulate the granulosa cells of the ovary, resulting in decreased follicle maturation and decreased levels of estradiol => chronic anovulation
Where do the excess androgens come from in PCOS patients?
Either ovaries, adrenal glands, or both