Menstrual Cycle & Benign Ovarian Conditions Flashcards
Define menorrhagia
heavy menstrual bleeding
define metrorrhagia
intermenstrual bleeding
define amenorrhea
absence of menstruation
define dysmenorrhea
menstrual cramps
define cryptomenorrhea
light flow or spotting
define oligomenorrhea
infrequent menstruation
define polymenorrhagia
frequent menstruation
define menometrorrhagia
irregular intervals & varying degrees of bleeding (aka abnormal uterine bleeding)
What are the 5 key components to a reproductive history
- age of first menarche
- first day of last menstrual period
- pattern of bleeding (days, duration, intensity)
- presence of dysmenorrhea or other sxs
- family history (age of menarche, dysmenorrhea)
What are the 3 major components of a sexual history
- current sexual activity (hx STIs)
- contraception or barrier protection
- pregnancy history
define thelarche
appearance of breast tissue primarily d/t action of estradiol from the ovaries
define pubarche
appearance of pubic hair primarily from androgens of the adrenal glands
define menarche
time of first menstrual bleed often not associated with ovulation & typically caused by estradiol on endometrium
what is the average age of breast budding
10.5 years old
what is the average age of menarche in north america
age 12.5 about 2.6 years after onset of puberty
What is the average length of the menstrual cycle
21-35 days (avg 28 days)
- will peak ate age 25-30 then gradually decline
- more irregular in adolescence
- changes in cycle length happens in follicular phase, luteal phase is a fixed 14 days
what is the average loss of blood during menstruation
30-80 mL of blood (avg 40)
List the 3 forms of estrogen
- estradiol (most potent)
- estrone
- estriol
what are the 3 phases of the menstrual/uterine cycle
- menstruation (follicular)
- proliferative phase (follicular)
- secretory phase (luteal)
List the ovarian cycle of menstruation
- follicular (proliferative)
- ovulation
- luteal phase (secretory)
Describe the hormonal processes of the follicular phase
high FSH which is later inhibited by estrogen production
describe the hormonal process during ovulation
huge spike in LH and slight FSH which triggers ovulation
describe the hormonal process of the luteal phase
rising levels of estrogen and progesterone inhibit both LH and FSH
describe the hormonal process during menstruation
corpus luteum degenerates and estrogen/progesterone levels fall, FSH levels rise
Define mittelschmerz
mid-cycle abdominal pain (+/- clear discharge or bleeding) from follicular release of prostaglandin containing fluid
describe primary dysmenorrhea
- increased prostaglandins causing painful uterine contractions
- usually starts 1-2 years after menarche
- likely to improve in women who become pregnant