MT M 7 Medical Conditions and Procedures Common to the Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Abortion
Abortion is the process of expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus prior to the time when a fetus is viable, meaning able to survive outside the womb. The stage of viability is 20 weeks gestation. Abortion can be either spontaneous or induced. Spontaneous abortion is also called a miscarriage. Most spontaneous abortions are a result of chromosomal defects in the fetus.
spontaneous abortions
There are different types of spontaneous abortions depending upon what is happening with the uterus and cervix, as well as the embryo and placenta
products of conception
The embryo or fetus and placenta can also be referred to as the products of conception
threatened abortion
When the cervix does not dilate but there is bleeding or cramping, this is referred to as a threatened abortion.
inevitable or imminent abortion
An inevitable or imminent abortion is when there is bleeding, cramping, cervical dilation, and rupture of membranes but the embryo has not yet passed out of the uterus.
complete abortion
A complete abortion occurs when all the products of conception are completely expelled.
incomplete abortion
An incomplete abortion occurs when some of the products of conception remain in the uterus. This increases the risk of infection and bleeding, so a woman must undergo a dilation and curettage procedure (D&C) where the cervix is dilated, and the walls of the uterus are scraped to ensure that there are no remaining products of conception in the uterus.
missed abortion
A missed abortion is when the fetus dies but there are no symptoms to indicate that the fetus is no longer viable. The procedure in this situation depends upon the gestational age. Medications can induce the products of conception to leave the uterus, or a D&C may need to be performed.
ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized ovum implants in a place other than the uterus. This is also referred to as an extrauterine pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancies
commonly occur in
Ectopic pregnancies commonly occur in the fallopian tube; however, they also can occur in the ovary, cervix, or abdominal cavity
Ectopic Pregnancy
Symptoms
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include severe pelvic pain that does not improve and irregular vaginal bleeding. The ectopic pregnancy is confirmed through an ultrasound that does not show an intrauterine pregnancy and likely shows an adnexal mass. When referring to the uterus, this term would refer to the fallopian tubes and ligaments. Patients will need surgical management, likely a laparoscopic complete or partial salpingectomy.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a medical condition when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus. This tissue can grow in the abdominal and pelvic cavities. As this tissue responds to hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle without the ability to shed out the vagina, women will experience dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, and dyspareunia.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis diagnoses and treatment
Endometriosis may be diagnosed via an ultrasound; however, a definitive diagnosis is only made through surgical sampling of tissue for lab analysis. Patients are treated with oral contraceptives to control hormonal levels and suppress ovulation. Surgical ablation is also effective in controlling pain.
Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow within the uterus. These can also be referred to as leiomyoma of the uterus. They are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive tract. These tumors are classified by where they grow, underneath the endometrium, in the myometrium, or outside the uterus,
Uterine fibroids
symptoms
Fibroids cause abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain and pressure. Fibroids also negatively affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. They are diagnosed through an ultrasound. Treatment can involve anti-inflammatory medications to control pain and bleeding in patients with small fibroids and mild symptoms.
