Menstrual problems and fertility Flashcards
menstrual problems, menopause, fertility, PCOS
Define primary amenorrhoea
when menstruation has failed to start by the age of 16 y/o
Define secondary amenorrhoea
when previous normal menses ceases for >6 months
List some of the causes of primary amenorrhoea
constitutional delay
psychological - anorexia, athleticism
hypothalamic failure - Kallmanns syndrome (deficiency of GnRH), tumours
gonadal failure - PCOS, Turners syndrome (webbed neck, short stature, missing digits), gonadal dysgenesis
endocrine - congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypo/hyperthyroidism
other - imperforate hymen, transverse vaginal septum (get cyclical abdominal pain)
List some of the causes of secondary amenorrhoea
non pathological - menopause, pregnancy, post COCP, drugs, lactation
psychological - anorexia, athleticism
endocrine - adrenal tumours, Cushings
pituitary- pituitary tumours, sheehans syndrome (PPH causing pituitary necrosis)
ovarian- premature ovarian failure, ashermans syndrome (intrauterine adhesions), PCOS
What necessary investigations would you do for amenorrhoea?
- pregnancy test
- FHS and LH
- Testosterone
- prolactin
- TFT
- karyotype
- transvaginal ultrasound
Define dysmenorrhoea
painful cramping in the lower abdomen usually before or at the start of menstruation
What is the difference between primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea
primary dysmenorrhoea = the pain has no obvious organic cause or underlying pathology
secondary dysmenorrhoea = the pain occurs due to underlying pathology
What is the cause for primary dysmenorrhoea?
decrease in progesterone allowing prostaglandin release which causes myometrium to contract resulting in pain and ischaemia
What are the possible causes for secondary dysmenorrhoea?
endometriosis **
adenomyosis **
fibroids**
pelvic adhesions**
PID
malignancy
ashermans syndrome
How is dysmenorrhoea managed?
analgesia and symptomatic control
1st line = mefenamic acid (NSAID) - inhibit prostaglandin production
COCP
paracetamol
Define menorrhagia
excessive menstrual blood loss that interferes with the womens quality of life (>80ml +/- >7 days bleeding)
What are the possible causes of menorrhagia?
no underlying cause = dysfunctional uterine bleeding
uterine fibroids *
polyps *
endometriosis*
coagulation factors e.g. von willebrands disease, anticoagulants
hypothyroidism
How is menorrhagia managed?
- antifibrinolytics e.g. transexamic acid - reduce blood loss by 50%
- NSAIDs e.g. mefenamic acid
- COCP
Define dysfunctional uterine bleeding
diagnosis of exclusion, defined at abnormal uterine bleeding in the absence of pregnancy, genital tract pathology or systemic disease
What is a polycystic ovary?
a characteristic transvaginal ultrasound appearance of multiple (>12) small (2-8mm) follicles in an enlarged (>10ml) ovary
What is the criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome?
2/3 of the following criteria:
- polycystic ovary on ultrasound
- hirsutism: clinical +/- biochemical
- irregular periods/ infrequent ovulation
What are the causes of PCOS?
genetic
insulin resistance
obesity - especially central obesity
hyperandrogegism
What is the pathology behind PCOS?
- insulin resistance and raised insulin levels
- leads to overproduction of ovarian androgens
- reduces steroid hormone binding globulin production in liver which increases free androgen levels
- increased androgens disrupt folliculogenesis
- leads to small multiple ovarian follicles and irregular ovulation as hirsutism
How does PCOS present?
hirsutism acne obesity amenorrhoea/ oligomenorrhoea sub fertility deepening voice balding reduced breast size
Which investigations are necessary for PCOS?
transvaginal ultrasound - detect PCO
raised insulin levels
raised LH levels
+testosterone, low SHBG, prolactin
How is PCOS managed?
- lifestyle - weight loss
- to treat hirsutism - COCP and spironolactone
- to treat insulin resistance - metformin
- for infertility - clomifine, IVF
What are the complications of PCOS?
Type 1 diabetes gestational diabetes endometrial cancer infertility CVD
what is the menopause?
cessation of menstruation - diagnosed after 12 months of amenorrhoea or after onset of symptoms
average age of 51 years
What is classed as premature menopause?
menopause under 40 y/o