menstural disorders Flashcards
what are fibroids?
benign tumours of myometrium
also known as leiomyomas
can become malignant
stimulated by oestrogen
how can fibroids classified?
intramural - within myometrium and do not protrude out or in
submucosal - develops immediately below endometrium and thus protrudes into the uterine cavity
subseroal - protrudes into and distorts the serosal surface of uterus
what are the risk factors for developing fibroids?
early menarche age overweight FHx ethnicity
what are the differentials
endometrial polyp
leiomyosarcoma
ovarian tumour
what are the clinical features of fibroids?
majority are asymptomatic
may have menorrhagia
may have pressure symptoms e.g. urinary frequency, retention, abdo distension
subfertility due to obstructive effects
acute pelvic pain from red degeneration
on examination - non tender uterus but solid mass/enlarged uterus may be palpable on bimanual exam
what is red degeneration?
sudden disruption in fibroid blood supply e.g. may be torsion of pedunculated fibroid or in pregnancy where fibroid is rapidly growing
fibroid undergoes necrosis and haemorrhage
leads to N,V and low grade fever and acute abdo pain
what investigations should be performed if a fibroid is suspected?
pelvic USS
MRI rarely used unless sarcoma suspected
what is a degenerate fibroid?
The fibroid outgrows its blood supply and thus can degenerate.
this mainly occurs slowly but can be rapid (red degeneration)
fibroid dies and releases substances causing pain, swelling and low grade fever
types:
- hyaline degeneration - asymptomatic
- red degermation
what is zolidex?
GnRH analogue
can be used to treat fibroid by supressing ovulation to shrink fibroid (useful pre -op)
only can use for 6 months due to osteoporosis risk
what defines heavy menstrual bleeding?
excessive menstrual blood loss (>80ml) that impacts a woman physically, emotionally and socially
what is the aetiology behind heavy menstrual bleeding?
structural causes: (PALM)
- polyps - endometrial/cervical - usually not painful, PCB/ IMB
- adenomyosis
- leiomyomas/ fibroids
- malignancy/ hyperplasia - may be vaginal/cervical hyperplasia provoked by ovarian tumour
non-structural: (COEIN)
- Cogaulopathy
- ovarian dysfunction - hypothyroid, PCOS
- endometriosis
- iatrogenic - intrauterine copper device
- not classified = dysfunctional uterine bleeding (60% of cases)
other = pregnancy = ectopic, miscarriage, placenta praevia
also obesity
what is adenomyosis
presence of endometrial tissue in the myometrium of the uterus
(variant of endometriosis)
the endometrial tissue breaks through into myometrium
what are the clinical features of heavy menstrual bleeding?
menorrhagia
symptoms associated with anaemia - SoB, tired, pallor
symptoms depending on cause
examination may reveal cause e.g. bimanual examination may be able to feel irregular uterus as a sign of fibroids
what investigations could you do in someone presenting with menorrhagia?
FBC, INR, sometimes TFTs, specific blood tests for cause e.g. von Willebrand factor (if history of clotting disease, heavy periods since puberty)
pregnancy test
cervical smear
high vaginal and endocervical swabs
transvaginal USS to assess endometrium and ovaries
hysteroscopy +/- endometrial biopsy
- can use pipelle/ curettage
- indicated if persistent heavy bleeding, >45yrs or failure of pharm methods
- to exclude endometrial malignancy hypoplasia
how is heavy menstrual bleeding managed (1st, 2nd and 3rd line treatments)
Levonorgestrel - releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) - first line
- max 5 years of use , min 12 months, warn patient of irregular bleeding and persist for 6 months for it to settle
- contraceptive too.
transexamic acid/ mefenamic acid or COCP - second line
- no contraceptive effect for first 2 - COCP has contraceptive effect too
progesterone only (oral, depo, implant) - 3rd line
- oral norethisterone (taken day 5-26) does not work as a contraceptive when taken this way but still effects fertility
- depo and implant will act as contraceptive too.
how does levonorgestrel - releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) help with heavy menstrual bleeding?
progesterone
Thins the endometrium and can shrink any fibroids
how does transexamic acid work to help with heavy menstrual bleeding?
Transexamic acid:
- binds plasminogen and prevents fibrinolysis. taken during menses to reduce bleeding.
what are the side effects of transexamic acid?
nausea, dizziness tinnitus rash abdo cramps indegrestion, diarrhoea headache
when is transexamic acid contraindicated?
fibrinolytic disorders
DVT risk
following DIC
history of convulsions
what is mefenamic acid? how does it help in heavy menstrual bleeding?
type of NSAID
inhibits COX to reduce prostaglandin release, less spasming of spiral arteries and thus reduced ischaemia and shedding of endometrium
less myometrial contractions
also offers analgesic effect
what is ulipristal acetate
progesterone receptor modulator
shrinks fibroids/ endometrial tissue to reduce bleeding
can also be useful pre-op before fibroid removal
what surgical management is available for heavy menstrual bleeding?
endometrial ablation
hysterectomy - only definitive treatment (can do subtotal or total (cervix removed too))
uterine artery embolization
what is endometrial ablation?
removal of endometrium including basal layer but myometrium is left.
good for women who no longer want to get pregnant
can be performed with laser, cold coagulation, microwaves or resection
under local anaesthetic as an outpatient
what are the side effects of endometrial ablation?
pain and period cramping
vaginal discharge
hyponatraemia
less common = infection, perforation, bleeding
when is uterine artery embolization used?
only for fibroids (when a cause of heavy menstrual bleeding)
causes reduction in blood supply to fibroid and thus degeneration/ shrinkage for those >3cm
can be performed by radiologist via femoral artery
what is the treatment for fibroids?
Can just leave them if not causing much trouble
medical:
- levonorgestrel IUS
- Ulipristal acetate
- Zolidex
surgery:
- endometrial ablation - for fibroid <3cm
- uterine artery embolization - for fibroids >3cm
what is the treatment for fibroids?
Can just leave them if not causing much trouble
medical:
- levonorgestrel IUS
- Ulipristal acetate
- Zolidex
surgery:
- hysteroscopy and transcervical resection of fibroid
- myomectomy (good if children wanted in future) -open or hysteroscopic
- endometrial ablation - for fibroid <3cm
- uterine artery embolization - for fibroids >3cm
- hysterectomy - last resort for big fibroids with impact on quality of life
what are the features of adenomyosis?
endometrial tissue grows into myometrial wall
- dysmenorrhoea
- menorrhagia
- bulky tender uterus
what should be considered for fibroids >3cm
unlikely medical management will have much effect consider - uterine artery embolization - myomectomy - hysterectomy
what should be considered for fibroids <3cm?
1st line LNG - IUS
2nd line tranexamic acid/ mefenamic acid/ COCP
3rd line progesterone
what are the problems with myomectomy?
adhesions, pain
haemorrhage (rarely)
Define amenorrhoea. What are the 2 types ?
lack of periods
can be primary - never had a period:
- diagnosed at 14 if no other sexual characteristics
- diagnosed at 16 if sexual characteristics
or can be secondary - periods stopped for >6months
what is the aetiology behind amenorrhoea?
physiological - pregnancy, pre-puberal, menopause
hypothalamus:
- suppression - low BMI, excessive exercise can supress GnRH secretion
- psychiatric disorder, sarcoidosis, thyroid can supress it
- kallman syndrome
pituitary
- tumours e.g. mass effect (acromegaly, cushings) or hyperprolactinaemia
- sheehans syndrome
- radiation, autoimmune
- post contraception - prolonged suppression, takes a while to reset
ovarian:
- turners, PCOS, premature ovarian failure
what is the aetiology behind amenorrhoea?
physiological - pregnancy, pre-puberal, menopause
hypothalamus:
- suppression - low BMI, excessive exercise can supress GnRH secretion
- psychiatric disorder, sarcoidosis, thyroid can supress it
- kallman syndrome
pituitary
- tumours e.g. mass effect (acromegaly, cushings) or hyperprolactinaemia
- sheehans syndrome
- radiation, autoimmune
- post contraception - prolonged suppression, takes a while to reset
ovarian:
- turners, PCOS, premature ovarian failure
adrenal: congenital adrenal hyperplasia
genital tract: ashermans (uterine adhesions), imperforate hymen
thyroid - hypo or hyperthyroidism
what is the mechanism by which pituitary tumours can cause amenorrhoea?
prolactinoma - hyperprolactinaemia supresses GnRH
other tumours can have a mass effect to supress GnRH
what is:
- Kallman syndrome?
- Sheehans syndrome?
Kallman syndrome = X linked recessive disorder, GnRH neurons fail to migrate
sheehans: post partum pituitary necrosis due to massive obstetric haemorrhage
what is congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
21 hydroxylase enzyme deficiency results in ability to make cortisol, ACTH is thus very high and causes hyperplasia.
this results in androgen excess (clitoromegaly, acne, hirsutism, early pubic hair)
amenorrhoea (due to high androgens)
what is cryptomenorrhoea?
amenorrhoea due to blockage e.g. imperforate hymen