Menstruation

Question 1

What is primary dysmenorrhoea?

Answer 1

painful periods which are not due to underlying pelvic pathology. Thought to be partially due to excessive endometrial prostaglandin production. Typically appears within 1-2 years of menarche and onset of pain is just before or within a few hours of period starting

Question 2

What are the first and second line treatments of primary dysmenorrheoa?

Answer 2

1st line: NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, mefenamic acid)

2nd line: combined OCP

Question 3

What is secondary dysmenorrhoea?

Answer 3

Painful periods due to underlying pelvic pathology. Causes include:
- endometriosis
- adenomyosis
- PID
- IUD
- fibroids
Pain usually starts 3-4 days before onset of period (unlike primary dysmenorrhoea)

Question 4

When is the first stage of meiosis completed in the oocyte? How many chromosomes does it contain?

Answer 4

Immediately following the LH surge
23 chromosomes (the first polar body is extruded, which is haploid)

Question 5

A 46 year woman who has been happily married for the last 18 years presents with irregular vaginal bleeding. What are the most appropriate initial investigations/examinations to do?

Answer 5

speculum exam - cervical abnormalities
digital vaginal exam - may detect enlarged uterus
Transvaginal USS - endometrial thickness

Question 6

What is metrorrhagia?

Answer 6

regular IMB

Question 7

what is polymenorrhoea?

Answer 7

Menses occurring more frequently than 21 day intervals (

Question 8

What is polymenorrhagia?

Answer 8

Frequent cycles (

Question 9

What is menometrorrhagia?

Answer 9

prolonged and increased menstrual flow, with IMB

Question 10

What is menorrhagia?

Answer 10

Prolonged and increased flow

Question 11

What is oligomenorrhoea?

Answer 11

Menses at >35 day intervals, or

Question 12

What is amenorrhoea?

Answer 12

Absence of menstruation for >6 months