Reproductive health Flashcards
Complications of a postpartum haemorrhage
Anaemia
Blood transfusion
Hypovolaemic shock
DIC
Hysterectomy
Sheehan’s Syndrome
Death
Clinical features of a PPH
Tone- On abdominal palpation high, broad, ‘boggy’ uterus
Trauma- Visible tears to vagina and/or perineum. Be aware some high vaginal/cervical tears may only be visualised with good light and adequate analgesia
Tissue- Examination of placenta and membranes to ensure complete
Initial management for a PPH
CALL FOR HELP (Obstetric Emergency Team)
ABCDE approach (remember, with ongoing bleeding the ‘tap’ needs to be turned off or A-E approach will not work).
Airway- open airway, consider anaesthetic support
Breathing- apply O2 @ 15 litres via a non-rebreathe mask
Circulation - IV access - 2 wide bore cannulas (obtain bloods)
IV fluids – consider need for blood transfusion
Estimate blood loss - ?ongoing bleeding
Establish cause of bleeding to guide further management
Further management for PHH- Tone (most common cause)
- Rub up a contraction (massage uterus per abdomen)
- Expel any clots from uterus and vagina
- Empty bladder (FSRC)
- If blood loss continues consider bi-manual compression (tamponade effect) to prevent further blood loss while drugs taking effect
Drugs for PPH
1) 3rd stage- Syntocinon (5iu IV or 10iu IM) or Syntometrine (1 ampoule IM)
2) Uterotonics 1st line- Can repeat Syntometrine 30 mins following 3rd stage dose. Ergometrine (500ug or 250ug) (use with caution and only if no syntometrine given for 3rd stage). Oxytocin infusion (40iu in 500mls N. Saline over 4hrs)
3) Antifibrinolytic 2nd line- Tranexamic Acid 1gm IV slowly. Repeat after 30 mins if bleeding ongoing. Second line for atonic uterus First line for trauma
4) PGF2alpha 3rd line- Haemobate 250ug deep IM (repeat 15mins up to 8 doses) (Atonic uterus)
Treatment for PPH- trauma/tissue and thrombin
Trauma- any trauma should be sutured, may need to go to theatre for repair
Tissue- go to theatre for manual removal of placenta or retained tissue
Thrombin- administer Tranexamic acid and liase with haematology re.management
Care following PPH
Continue Syntocinon infusion
One-to-one care on CDS until stable
Continue to monitor PV loss and vital signs
Blood transfusion as required
FBC to check Hb – iron therapy (oral or IV as required)
(Repeat Hb with GP following discharge if necessary)
Debrief woman and birth partner
Discuss management of future labour/deliveries
Atrophic vulvo-vaginitis
Dryness and atrophy of the vaginal mucosa due to lack of oestrogen, symptom of menopause. The mucosa becomes thinner, less elastic and more dry. Changes to the vaginal pH and microbial flora that contribute to localised infection. Lack of oestrogen can cause pelvic organ prolapse and stress incontinence
Symptoms of atrophic vulvo-vaginitis
- Itching
- Dryness
- Dyspareunia
- Bleeding due to localised inflammation
- Recurrent UTI, stress incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse
Examination of atrophic vulvo-vaginitis
- Pale mucosa
- Thin skin
- Reduced skin folds
- Erythema and inflammation
- Dryness
- Sparse pubic hair
Management of atrophic vulvo-vaginitis
- Vaginal lubricants help with symptoms of dryness
- Estriol cream, applied using an applicator (syringe) at bedtime
- Estriol pessaries, inserted at bedtime
- Estradiol tablets (Vagifem), once daily
- Estradiol ring (Estring), replaced every three months
- Contraindications of topical oestrogen include breast cancer, angina and VTE
Benign prostatic Hypertrophy
Enlargement of the prostate gland causing urinary symptoms
Risk factors: age (80% of 80 year olds will have BPH), black > white > Asian
Symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy
- Voiding symptoms (obstructive): weak or intermittent urinary flow, straining, hesitancy, terminal dribbling, incomplete emptying
- Storage symptoms (irritative): urgency, frequency, urgency incontinence, nocturia
- Post-micturation: dribbling
- Complications: UTI, retention, obstructive uropathy
Assessment of benign prostatic hypertrophy
- dipstick urine
- U&Es: particularly if chronic retention is suspected
- PSA: should be done if there are any obstructive symptoms, of if the patient is worried about prostate cancer
- urinary frequency-volume chart= should be done for at least 3 days
International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)
tool for classifying the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and assessing the impact of LUTS on quality of life
* Score 20–35: severely symptomatic
* Score 8–19: moderately symptomatic
* Score 0–7: mildly symptomatic
Treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy
- Alpha 1-antagonist i.e. tamsulosin, alfuzosin. Recommended in moderate to severe voiding symptoms. Side effects: dizziness, postural hypotension, dry mouth, depression
- 5 alpha- reductase inhibitors i.e. Finasteride. When there is a significantly enlarged prostate. Side effects, erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, ejaculation problems, gynaecomastia
- Combination= alpha-1 antagonist and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor. For moderate to severe voiding symptoms and prostatic enlargement
- If symptoms persist after treatment with an alpha-blocker alone, then use an antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) drug (tolterodine or darifenacin)
- surgery- transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)
Candidiasis- definition and risk factors
Thrush is an extremely common condition, 80% are caused by Candida albicans
Risk factors:
* Diabetes mellitus
* Drugs: antibiotics, steroids
* Pregnancy
* Immunosuppression: HIV
Features of Candidiasis
- ‘Cottage cheese’ non offensive discharge
- Vulvitis: superficial dyspareunia, dysuria
- Itch
- Vulval erythema, fissuring, satellite lesions may be seen
Investigations- often a clinical diagnosis, though a high vaginal swab can be used
Management of Candidiasis
- Oral fluconazole 150 mg as a single dose first-line
- Clotrimazole 500 mg intravaginal pessary as a single dose if oral therapy is contraindicated
- If there are vulval symptoms, consider adding a topical imidazole in addition to an oral or intravaginal antifungal
- If pregnant then only local treatments (e.g. cream or pessaries) may be used - oral treatments are contraindicated
Recurrent vaginal candidiasis
- BASHH define recurrent vaginal candidiasis as 4 or more episodes per year
- Compliance with previous treatment should be checked
- Confirm the diagnosis of candidiasis- high vaginal swab for microscopy and culture, consider a blood glucose test to exclude diabetes
- Exclude differential diagnoses such as lichen sclerosus
- Consider the use of an induction-maintenance regime, induction: oral fluconazole every 3 days for 3 doses, maintenance: oral fluconazole weekly for 6 months