Reproductive Mental Health & Mood Disorders Flashcards
For how long should a symptom diary be kept prospectively to make a diagnosis of PMS?
2-3 cycles
What proportion of women experience symptoms of PMS?
40%
What proportion of women experience severe symptoms of PMS?
5-8%
How many American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 diagnostic criteria must be present to make a PMDD diagnosis?
5/11
What is core PMD?
Cyclical physiological and/or physical symptoms that cease following menstruation
Which type of CHC preparation is best for controlling PMS symptoms?
Drospirenone containing COC preparations - should be given continuously rather than cyclically
What is thought to be mechanism behind PMS?
- Progesterone is released by the corpus luteum during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle
- Allopregnanolone is a metabolite of Progesterone and is a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA receptor
- This normally has an anxiolytic effect
- In PMS, low levels of Allopregnanolone and dysregulated GABA activity is seen
- This results in symptoms such a labile mood, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance
How does ethinylestradiol cause bloating and breast pain?
Potent activator of the renin-angiotensin system causing water retention, responsible for side effects such as bloating and breast pain
How does drospirenone counteract the water retention caused by ethinyestradiol?
Anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-androgenic activity
What formalised questionnaire can be used to record a patients symptom diary?
Daily record of severity of problems (DRSP)
What can be done if the clinical picture is inconclusive despite a 3/12 symptom diary?
3/12 use on GnRH analogues ?symptom resolution
What are the possible risk factors for PMS?
- Ovulatory menstrual cycles (biggest single biggest risk factor)
- FHx
- Other mood disorders
- Smoking
- Alcohol XS
- Sexual abuse/trauma
- Weight gain
- Stress
What is an alternative explanation re: the cause of PMS?
‘Sensitivity’ to progesterone
(unclear as to whether this, or lack of allopregnanolone, or alternative explanation altogether)
What proportion of women experience cyclical breast pain?
Up to 2/3rds
What proportion of women experience moderate-severe cyclical breast pain?
1 in 10
What is thought to be the cause of cyclical breast pain?
- ?Hyperprolactinaemia
- ?Oestrogenic overstimulation
When a woman presents with (cyclical) breast pain, what should you also consider/examine for?
- Pregnancy
- Malignancy
- Infection
What information may be required for a diagnosis of cyclical breast pain?
Breast pain diary, taken over at least 3 cycles
When is the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle?
Ovulation to menstruation
What proportion of women experience PMDD?
1-10%
Cyclical symptoms, relieved by menstruation, with a symptom free week, not affecting QoL, describes what Dx?
Physiological (mild) PMD
Cyclical symptoms, relieved by menstruation, with a symptom free week, affecting QoL, describes what Dx?
Core PMD
Cyclical symptoms, relieved by menstruation, no symptom free week, affecting QoL, describes what Dx?
Premenstrual exacerbation of underlying physical/psychological condition
Cyclical symptoms, relieved by menstruation, with a symptom free week, affecting QoL, on progesterone treatment describes what Dx?
Progestogen-induced PMD (consider alternative progesterone treatment)
What is the first line management for PMD?
Exercise, CBT, vitamin B6
COCP
Continuous of luteal (day 15-28) low-dose SSRI
Why use SSRIs only in the luteal phase?
May reduce adverse effects of SSRIs themselves e.g. nausea, insomnia, fatigue, low libido
What should be considered in women of reproductive age using SSRIs for PMS alone (absence of depression etc.)?
Then PMS will abate in pregnancy and therefore SSRIs should be discontinued prior to/during pregnancy
What is the risk of SSRIs in pregnancy?
May be associated with a small increased in congenital abnormalities. but may be due to other confounding features. Concern mainly re: cardiac malformations. There is a small increased risk of PPH and neonatal withdrawal syndrome
What are the 2nd line management options in PMS?
Estradiol patches + micronised progesterone (days 17-25) orally or vaginally, or use of the Mirena
Higher-dose SSRI regime
When using progesterone as part of 2nd line management, what considerations should be made?
- Consider use of micronised progesterone - fewer androgenic and unwanted S/Es
- S/Es may be reduced further by using vaginally - avoiding first-pass hepatic metabolism and the creation of metabolites that ?some may be sensitive to
- Use lowest dose possible to provide endometrial protection
- The IUS is not micronised progesterone, but may avoid S/Es due to avoidance of systemic absorption
How should SSRIs be discontinued when used continuously?
Tapering
How should SSRIs be discontinued when used in the luteal phase only?
Immediately, no requirement for tapering
What is 3rd line management for PMS?
GnRH analogues and add back HRT
What is 4th line management for PMS?
Operative