Menstrual and Endocrine Disorders Flashcards
in what phase does PMS occur? how many days prior to menses? when does it resolve?
the luteal phase
a cyclic occurence; 5-7 days before menses and resolves within about 4 days after onset of menses
symptoms of PMS
-can range from mild to severe; occur cyclically in the luteal phase with a symptom-free period in the follicular phase
a. physical
-headache
-breast changes
-fluid retention
-swelling
-abdominal bloating
-N/V
-alterations in appetite
-food cravings
-lethargy/fatigue
-exacerbations of preexisting conditions, like asthma
symptoms of PMS
b. psychological
-irritability
-depression
-anxiety
-sleep alterations
-inability to concentrate
-anger
-violent behavior
-crying
-confusion
-changes in libido
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES for PMS
(many-13)
- a diagnosis of exclusion
- depression and or anxiety
- bipolar affect disorder
- alcohol or substance abuse
- personality disorder
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- fibromyalgia
- diabetes
- brain tumor
- thyroid disease
- hyperprolactinemia
- perimenopause
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
what steps should you recommend to patients with suspected PMS?
write symptoms in diary fashion for 2 to 3 months to evaluate for symptom consistency with ovulation and menses
PMS management
1. nonmedical (first line therapy)
-self-help strategies first-line, but no quick cures
-Vitamin B continuous
-calcium carbonate supplementation of 1200-1600 mg/day
-chaste tree berry extract shown in placebo-controlled trial to reduce PMS symptoms
T/F restriction of salt and refined sugar or limiting caffeine have show to be helpful with PMS
FALSE
little evidence exists
T/F aerobic exercise 20 to 30 minutes at least four times a week can help PMS symptoms
TRUE
what can be prescribed to reduce swelling and bloating r/t PMS?
Spironolactone
T/F NSAIDs given before and during menstruation may reduce fluid retention, breast, lower back, abdominal, pelvic pain
true
other medical management of PMS suggestions
-COCs or POPs may decrease physical symptoms by suppressing ovulation and reducing menstrual bleeding and pain
-SSRIs alleviate severe PMS
-Danazol may improve PMS symptoms by suppressing ovulation; SIGNIFICANT androgen-related side effect
primary vs secondary dysmenorrhea definition and etiology
primary: dysmenorrhea unassociated with pelvic pathology; rarely begins AFTER age 20; associated with ovulatory cycles; from prostaglandins stimulating contractile response on smooth muscles
secondary: underlying pelvic pathologic condition thought to be the cause; may occur at any age
how do primary and secondary dysmenorrhea differ in their presenation
primary is often shortly before and early on in the menses; lasts no more than 2 days and is crampy spasmodic pain in lower abs, radiates to lower back and thighs
secondary is at any time in the cycle, unlikely to be relieved by OTC measures and symptoms persist longer than with primary
differential diagnoses for dysmenorrhea
-imperforate hymen
-endometriosis
-cervical stenosis
-uterine abnormalities
-pelvic infection
-ovarian cycts
-pelvic congestion
-adhesions
-infibulation
-STIs
-UTI
-vaginismus
-interstitial cystitis
what is infibulation
type of female genital cutting that includes narrowing of the vaginal orifice
management of primary and secondary dysmenorrhea
primary: NSAIDs are TOC and best begun 2 days prior to expected menses or at onset of menses and continuing for 48-72 hours
CHCs are good too; act by reducing prostaglandins and menstrual flow
progestin only may relieve symptoms by decreasing or eliminating menstrual bleeding (DMPA, nexplanon)
self help measures: regular exercise, warm heat, relaxation exercises
secondary: tx consistent with pathology found on u/s
primary vs secondary amenorrhea
- Primary: no menstruation by the age of 14 years in absence of secondary sex characteristics; no menstruation by age 16 years regardless of secondary sex characteristics
- secondary: absence of menses in previously menstruating women; no menses 3-6 months in women who has normal periods/3 cycles
Possible causes of amenorrhea
-pregnancy
-disorders of genital outflow tract
-endocrine disorders (hyper/hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, hyperandrogenism, PCOS, ovarian failure)
-congenital and chromosomal abnormalities
-anorexia nervosa
-excessive exercise
-obesity
-malnutrition
-MEDICATIONS (birth control, antipsychotics, chemo)
-chronic illness (T1DM, TB)
-chronic or excessive stress
if a patient presents to you with absent menses and abnormal visual fields you should suspect and/or rule out a…
PITUITARY TUMOR
(think about HPO axis!!)
differential diagnoses for amenorrhea
- pregnancy
- menopause
- anorexia nervosa
- intensive physical training
- disorders of ovary, anterior pituitary, hypothalamus
- congenital or acquired anatomic disorders
- chronic illness
- medication effects
Amenorrhea workup
- pregnancy test
- serum prolactin levels
- TSH
if initial labs for amenorrhea workup are normal, may evaluate availability of estrogen with..
a progestin challenge test!!!
Progestin challenge test explained
a. progestin each day for 10 to 14 days- wait for bleeding, which should occur within 7 to 14 days; will indicate adequate estrogen production and stimulation as well as no problem with outflow tract
b. if no withdrawal bleed in 2 weeks, order FSH/LH
c. if FSH and LH are low, the case is likely hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction
d. if FSH and LH are high, the cause is likely ovarian failure or menopause
management of primary amnorrhea
REFER TO ENDOCRINOLOGIST
if prolactin and TSH are normal and bleeding occurs after progestin challenge, initiate…
treatment for annovulation based on age, contraceptive needs, and lifestyle
CHCs or cyclic progestins may help too
infrequent menstrual bleeding definition and workup
infrequent uterine bleeding characterized by one or two bleeding episodes in a 90 day period; common in perimenopause
workup: pregnancy test, tests to evaluate thyroid, ovaries, pituitary, or hypothalamus `
heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding definition (HMB or PMB)
HMB is characterized by monthly blood loss volume >80 mL; prolonged menstrual bleeding (PMB) is characterized by bleeding episodes lasting > 8 days; (previously known as menorrhagia)
etiology of HMP or PMB
- often occurs at extremes of reproductive ages- adolescence and perimenopause
- gynecologic causes: leiomyoma, adenomyosis, endometrial and endocervical polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, cervical cancers
- inherited and acquired bleeding disorders- von Willebrand disease, anemia
- disturbances of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis
- imbalance of prostaglandins favoring those that cause vasodilation
- systemic diseases
- medications
- other- physical trauma, extreme stress, obesity
- PALM COEIN
PALM- structural causes of AUB
P: Polyp! endometrial and endocervical; may cause intermenstural bleeding
A: Adenomyosis: may cause HMP and or PMB
L: Leiomyomas (fibroids): may cause HMP or PMB
M: Malignancy/hyperplasia: AUB is most common symptom of endometrial cancer, bleeding patterns are variable
Adenomyosis is…
when endometrial tissue grows inside muscular wall of uterus; displaced tissue continue to respond to hormones: thickening, breaking down, bleeding
COEIN- non structural causes of AUB
C: Coagulopathy!
O: Ovulatory dysfunction: PCOS, androgen excess, thyroid disorders, may have irregular menses, HMP, or PMB
E: Endometrial! likely due to vasoconstriction disorders, inflammation, infection, HMP associated with predictable ovulatory cycles
I: Iatrogenic! medication-related
N: not yet classified, for those poorly understood conditions and rare disorders
differential diagnosis of AUB
- pregnancy (ectopic or intrauterine)
- gynecologic disorders
- HPO disturbance
- bleeding disorder
- systemic diseases
- medication related
AUB workup includes
- pregnancy test
- pap test for cervical cancer if no recent normal test
- CBC
- FSH and LH to evaluate estrogen stimulation (RARELY indicated)
- TSH
- STI testing as indicated
- endometrial evaluation
- coagulation study if indicated
with AUB who is endometrial evaluation reserved for?
patients over 40: biopsy, TVUS
management/treatment of AUB
1. hormonal management
a. acute excessive bleeding
b. moderate bleeding, not currently bleeding, maintenance control
a. acute excessive bleeding: parenteral estrogen or high dose oral estrogen gradually tapered, then MPA added last 10 days to initiate withdrawal bleeding; high dose oral progestin therapy, gradually tapered
b. moderate bleeding, not currently bleeding, maintenance control: LNG-IUS is FDA approved for treatment of HMB; CHCs cyclic, extended or continuous regimens; DMPA; cyclic MPA
management/treatment of AUB
2. non hormonal
a. treat anemia
b. NSAIDS- start at onset of menses and continue for 5 days or until cessation of menstruation; increases ratio of vasoconstrictive prostaglandins to vasodilating prostaglandins
c. TXA (lysteda): antifibrinolytic agent that blocks lysis of fibrin clots; take up to the first 5 days of menses; decreases blood loss in women who have increased endometrial plasminogen activity
side effects of tranexamic acid
nausea, leg cramps, CI in women with history or at risk for thrombosis
surgical management of AUB to which you would refer include (3)
- endometrial ablation
- dilation and curettage is diagnostic and therapeutic
- hysterectomy
PCOS definition and etiology
-symptom complex associated with menstrual irregulariyt due to oligo-ovulaiton or annovulation and clinical or biochemical signs of hyperandrogegism with 25% having polycystic ovaries on u/s
-etiology not well understood; mix of genetic, endocrine, and metabolic factors
endocrine and metabolic factors seen in patients with PCOS
-endocrine: increased LH:FSH ratio, increased androgen concentrations, decreased SHBG with resultant increase in free testosterone
-metabolic factors: hyperinsulinemia associated with increased insulin resistance which can have significant impact on promoting or disrupting follicles
T/F women with PCOS are at increased risk for future development of endometrial cancer, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease
true!
symptoms of PCOS
-irregular menses (amenorrhea or infrequent menstrual bleeding)
-gradual onset of hirsutism around puberty or in early 20s
-other signs of androgen excess (acne, deep voice, male pattern baldness)
-infertility
physical findings of PCOS
-mostly normal physical findings
-ovaries no always palpable
-virilization: hirsutism, increased muscle mass, frontal balding, enlargement of clitoris, deepening of voice, decreased breast size
-abdominal obesity
-acne
-acanthosis nigricans (skin around neck darkened)
differential diagnoses for PCOS
- obesity
- hyperprolactinemia
- thyroid dysfunction
- Cushing’s disease
- adrenal or ovarian tumor
workup of patient with suspected PCOS (lots)
-TSH
-prolactin
-pregnancy test
-determinants of biochemical hyperandrogegism: serum total testosterone and SHBG/free testosterone (debatable if this is necessary)
-serum 17-OHP (greater than 800 dL with PCOS)
-endometrial biopsy to rule out hyperplasia if indicated
-assess ovaries with u/s
-glucose and lipid levels
Rotterdam criteria for diagnosis of PCOS includes (3)
at least two of three of the following in an adult female; all three present in adolescent female to include biochemical confirmation of hyperandrogenism:
1. oligo-ovulation/annovulation
2. clinical/biochemical hyperandrogenism
3. polycystic ovaries
management/treatment of PCOS
-overall goal?
to lower androgen levels, treat current clinical manifestations
if pregnancy is desired in PCOS patient, first line treatment is…
Letrozole
and if Letrozole is ineffective, refer to reproductive endocrinologist
if pregnancy is NOT desired in the PCOS patient and they want contraception….
*direct therapy toward preventing endometrial hyperplasia and pregnancy
a. low dose COC with low androgenicity- inhibits LH secretion and LH-dependent ovarian androgen production, increases SHBG binding of free T, regulates menstrual cycles, protects form endometrial cancer
b. progestin contraceptives- protect from endometrial cancer
if PCOS patient does not desire and is not at risk for pregnancy and does not want to use hormonal contraception, focus on…
*preventing endometrial hyperplasia (same goal)
a. endometrial biopsy may be indicated
b. MPA for 10 days of month induces withdrawal bleeding- can be used every month or every 2-3 months
what should we monitor for in the PCOS patient?
diabetes and hyperlipidemia (glucose test, lipid panel)