Menstrual Cycle Flashcards
1
Q
What drives the menstrual cycle?
A
- Hormones produced by hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries
- Two simultaneous cycles
- Highly coordinated process
2
Q
Ovarian Cycle
A
- One of the two simultaneous cycles
- Has 3 phases
- Range is 21-40 days, average is 28 days
- Most women have little variation in their own cycle length
- Usually one ova is released each month: alternates btw left and right sides
- First day of ovarian cycle is day one of menstrual bleeding
- Women are born with all ova and process is completed by hormones in puberty
3
Q
How long does ova last?
A
24 hours
4
Q
How long does sperm last?
A
72 hours
- Sperm MUST be present at time of ovulation for fertilization to occur
5
Q
Menstrual Cycle
A
- One of two simultaneous cycles
- Cycle is number of days from the start of one period to the start of the next
- If an egg is fertilized: travels down fallopian tube to uterus and implants in endometrium six days later
- If an egg is not fertilized: uterus sheds endometrium 2 weeks later and a woman menstruates
6
Q
What are the female reproductive organs?
A
- Vagina
- Uterus
- 2 fallopian tubes
- 2 ovaries
7
Q
Cervical Changes
A
Cervix is a certain amount dilated and producing different secretions depending upon where the woman is in her cycle
8
Q
PMS
A
Premenstrual Syndrome
- Recurrent symptoms that occur during luteal phase (last half of menstrual cycle) and resolve with onset of menstruation
- Variety of unrelated symptoms related to hormones
- Up to 85% of women have 1+ symptom
- Common symptoms: breast tenderness and swelling, bloating, irritability, cramping, depression, fatigue
9
Q
PMDD
A
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- More severe than PMS
- Like migraine vs mild headache
10
Q
Treatment for PMS/PMDD
A
- Lifestyle: reduce stress, exercise, diet, decrease caffeine, stop smoking, limit ETOH
- Vitamins/Supplements, MVI, Vit E, Calcium, Mag
- Meds: NSAIDS, OC, SSRI, anxiolytics, diuretics, progestins, GnRH agonist
11
Q
Dysmenorrhea
A
- Painful periods
- Affects over 50% of women
- Primary: caused by increased prostaglandin production of endometrium
- Secondary: due to pelvic or uterine pathology
12
Q
Amenorrhea
A
- Absence of menses during reproductive years
- Normal during three times of woman’s life
- Primary: absence by age 14 with absence of secondary sex characteristics
- Secondary: absence of menses x3 cycles or 6 months after menarche
13
Q
Endometriosis
A
- 5.5 million US women
- Ectopic menstrual tissue which responds to hormones as if it was inside the uterus
- Common symptoms: pain and infertility
14
Q
Nursing considerations for endometriosis
A
- Encourage patient to adopt healthy lifestyle
- Referral to support groups and internet resources
- Manage chronic pain
- Assess for impact on fertility
15
Q
Questions to ask about menstruation
A
- History and physical to assess cycle normality
- Med and substance abuse
- Pain, sexually active, flow, regularity, symptoms
16
Q
Peri-menopause
A
2-8 years prior to menopause
17
Q
Menopause
A
- Cessation of regular menses for one year
- Avg age is 51
- Hormone replacement is controversial
- Nontraditional treatment: melatonin, ginseng, black cohash
- Nurses must educate and counsel about disease prevention, treatment for symptoms, health promotion
18
Q
Male Reproduction
A
- Man must have sufficient amounts of normal sperm that can travel to fallopian tubes in order to fertilize an egg
- Sperm must be deposited near cervix
- Sperm must be adequate in terms of morphology and motility
