Ovulation Disorders Flashcards
erectile dysfunction in overweight men
oestrogen plays a role in fat storing and is naturally present in small amounts in men, when you gain weight, oestrogen levels rise
this inhibits GnRH production and testosterone
results in erectile dysfunction etc
what is the rate limiting step for the production of steroids
the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone

synthesis of progesterone
synthesised from pregnenolone by the action of 3ß-HSD in the corpus luteum, by the placenta during pregnancy and by the adrenals (as a step in the androgen and mineralocorticoid synthesis)

oligomenorrhoea
reduction in frequency of periods to less than 9 a year
primary amenorrhoea
failure of menarche by the age of 16
think anatomical/congenital (Turner’s/Kallmann) cause?
secondary amenorrhoea
cessation of periods for >6 months in an individual who has previously menstruated
physiological causes of amenorrhoea
pregnancy
post menopause
causes of secondary amenorrhoea
Ovarian problem: PCOS, premature ovarian failure
Uterine problem: uterine adhesions
Hypothalamic dysfunction: weight loss (BMI <18.5), over exercise, stress, infiltrative
Pituitary: high PRL, hypopituitarism
symptoms of oestrogen deficiency
flushing, libido, breast tenderness, vaginal atrophy causing dyspareunia (painful sex)
vaginal atrophy
inflammation of the vagina due to thinning and shrinking of the tissue
can be due to oestrogen deficinecy
investigations of amenorrhoea
LH, FSH, Oestradiol (main oestrogen)
ovarian US ± endometrial thickness
testosterone if there is hirsutism
pituitary function tests and MRI pituitary if indicated
karotype if it is primary amenorrhoea/Turner’s symptoms
what is female hypogonadism identified by
low levels of oestrogen
primary hypogonadism
problem with ovaries - high FH/LSH = hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism
eg premature ovarian failure

secondary hypogonadism
problem with the hyothalamus/pituitary axis - low LH/FSH = hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism

WHO group 1 definition of anovulation
hypothalamic pituitary failure
- low LSH, FH, oestrogen deficiency, normal PRL, amenorrhoea
progesterone challenge test
used to evaluate a patient who is experiencing amenorrhoea
progesterone administered as an IM injection
if the patient has sufficient oestradiol, withdrawal bleeding should occur - indicating that the patients amenorrhoea is due to anovulation
if no bleeding occurs it is likely to be due to low serum oestradiol, HPA dysfunction etc
progesterone challenge test in WHO group 1 anovulation
negative
WHO group 2 definition of anovulation
hypothalamic pituitary dysfunction
- normal gonadotrophins/excess LH
- normal eostrogen levels - positive progesterone test
- oligo/amenorrhoea
PCOS
WHO group 3 definition of anovulation
ovarian failure
which WHO group of anovulation is PCOS classified into
2
premature ovarian failure
amenorrhoea, oestrogen deficiency and elevated gonadotrophins occuring <40 as a result of loss of ovarian function
there is a low likelihood of conception
biochemistry of premature ovarian failure
FSH >30 on 2 separate occasions more than one month apart
LH high
oestradiol low
causes of premature ovarian failure
autoimmune disease (eg associations with Addison’s, thyroid, APS1/2)
chromosomal abnormalities (e.g. Turner, Fragile X, XX gonadal agenesis)
gene mutations (eg in FSH/LH receptor)
iatrogenic - radio/chemo, bilateral oophorectomy
clinical features of premature ovarian failure
features of low oestrogen:
hot flushes
night sweats
atrophic vaginitis












