Reproductive System Flashcards
Average age of menarche
Between 12 and 13
Nature of the menstrual cycle around menarche time
typically irregular, with anovulatory cycles, for the first 6 months to 1 year
2 phases of menstrual cycle
Follicular and luteal
Source of follicle stimulating hormone
pituitary gland
Ovarian follicle produces this hormone
estrogen
Effect of estrogen on uterus
Proliferation of uterine lining
Timing of lutenizing hormone spike
mid-cycle, around day 14
Action of lutenizing hormone on ovary
Release of ovum from follicle
The luteal phase of the menstrual cycle begins _____________
after release of the ovum, some time after day 14
After release of ovum, remnants of the follicle become the ________ and secrete _______
Corpus luteum, secrete progesterone
Action of progesterone on uterus during a natural menstrual cycle
maintains uterine lining in preparation for implantation of fertilized ovum
If fertilization occurs, the trophoblast synthesizes __________. This maintains _________
hCG, corpus luteum
If there is no fertilization, what does the corpus luteum do?
it degenerates, and progesterone levels start to drop
If progesterone levels drop, what happens to the endometrium?
It is sloughed off
As estrogen and progesterone drop near the end of the menstrual cycle, what hormone starts to increase?
FSH
As FSH rises near the end of the menstrual cycle, what happens in the ovary?
development of primary ovarian follicles, the start of a new follicular phase
This is a diagnosis of exclusion, when pathologic menorrhagia or metrorrhagia are ruled out.
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
One likely cause of dysfunctional uterine bleeding
anovulation via disruption of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, causing continuous estrogen stimulation of the endometrium that overgrows and sloughs off at irregular times in varying amounts
Common times to find dysfunctional uterine bleeding
near menarche and menopause
This is the gold standard way to determine if ovulation is occurring in the setting of dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Endometrial sampling
Definitive surgery, used in refractory cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding
hysterectomy
First procedural treatment of choice in dysfunctional uterine bleeding (that has not responded to medical therapy)
Dilation and curettage
First line treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (stable, non-hemorrhaging)
Oral contraceptives
Medical treatment for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, if bleeding is excessive
conjugated estrogens
If dysfunctional uterine bleeding is ovulatory, this medication can help to decrease menstrual blood loss
NSAIDs
Most common gynecologic cancer in the US
Endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer, median age at diagnosis
60 years
4 most common types of endometrial cancer, listed with most common first
Adenocarcinoma–mucinous–clear cell–squamous cell
3 prognostic factors in endometrial cancer
Histologic grade–myometrial invasion–histologic type
6 risk factors for endometrial cancer
Nulliparity–Late menopause–Diabeetus–Obesity–Unopposed estrogen therapy–Tamoxifen use
Most common symptom of endometrial cancer
irregular bleeding
What does the pelvic exam typically show in endometrial cancer?
Pelvic exam is typically normal
Test of choice for endometrial cancer
endometrial biopsy
Use this diagnostic test to rule out fibroids, polyps, and endometrial hyperplasia when you suspect endometrial cancer
pelvic ultrasound
3 common treatments for endometrial cancer
total abdominal hysterectomy–bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy–radiation therapy
Define endometriosis
presence of endometrial tissue outside the endometrial cavity
most common sites for endometriosis (5)
ovary–pelvic peritoneum–round ligament–fallopian tubes–sigmoid colon
5 common symptoms of endometriosis
dysmenorrhea–dyspareunia–infertility–abnormal bleeding–chronic pelvic pain
Physical exam with disseminated endometriosis
uterosacral nodularity or a fixed retroverted uterus
Physical exam with ovary involvement in endometriosis
fixed adnexal mass
Definitive diagnosis of endometriosis
direct visualization with laparoscopy
Treatment goal in endometriosis
suppression and atrophy of endometrial tissue
Definitive surgical treatment in refractory endometriosis
hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorecomy, lysis of adhesions, removal of endometriosis lesions
3 conservative surgical treatments in endometriosis
ablation–electrocauterization–excision of visible endometriosis
4 medical treatments for endometriosis
oral contraceptives–medroxyprogesterone–danazol–GnRH
Side effects of danazol (4)
acne–edema–weight gain–hirsutism
Side effects of GnRH (2)
hot flashes–decreased bone density
Define adenomyosis
extension of endometrial glands and stroma into the musculature
Typical adenomyosis patient
parous woman, late 30s to early 40s
Adenomyosis comes with an increased risk of these 2 disorders
endometriosis–leiomyoma
2 most common symptoms of adenomyosis
dysmenorrhea–menorrhagia (though may be asymptomatic)
physical exam in adenomyosis
enlarged uterus with soft consistency
definitive diagnosis of adenomyosis
hysterectomy
this diagnostic test may help to identify adenomyosis
MRI
The only definitive treatment in adenomyosis
hysterectomy
This med may help in mild adenomyosis
analgesics
Another name for uterine fibroids
Leiomyoma
What are uterine fibroids?
local proliferation of smooth muscle cells of uterus
Leiomyoma is more common in this population
African-American women
Leiomyomas typically occur in women of what age range?
childbearing age
Most common symptoms of leiomyoma
abnormal uterine bleeding–pressure–infertility (though most patients are asymptomatic)
Physical exam in leiomyoma
nontender, irregular, masses on bimanual or abdominal exam, enlarged uterus
Diagnosis of leiomyoma
Pelvic ultrasound: hypoechoic areas among normal myometrial material
Leiomyoma treatment
Treatment is typically not required. If severe pain, infertility, growth: medroxyprogeterone, danazol, GnRH agonists. Surgical treatment includes myomectomy and hysterectomy.
Endometritis vs Endomyometritis
endomyometritis is an infection of the endometrium that invades into the myometrium
Most common causes of endometritis
C-section–vaginal delivery–dilation and evacuation or curettage–IUD insertion
3 S/Sx endometritis
Fever–uterine tenderness on bimanual exam–leukocytosis
Treatment of severe endometritis / endomyometritis
IV Clindamycin or gentamicin
Treatment of mild endometritis
cephalosporins
Treatment of chronic endometritis
doxycycline
Uterine prolapse is most common in this population
multiparous women
6 disorders that may predispose a woman to uterine prolapse
childbirth injury–pelvic tumors–sacral nerve disorders–obesity–asthma–ascites
Physical exam in uterine prolapse
descent of the cervix to the lower third of the vagina or through the introitus with bearing down or straining
4 treatments of uterine prolapse
Kegel exercises–vaginal pessary–estrogens–surgery
Two types of functional ovarian cysts
follicular and corpus luteum
Ovarian cysts most commonly occur between what two life events?
puberty and menopause
This behavior increases the risk of ovarian cysts
smoking
Symptoms of follicular cysts
Typically asymptomatic–large cysts can cause pelvic pain, dyspareunia
Larger follicular cysts can lead to this dangerous condition
ovarian torsion
Follicular cysts tend to be less than _____ in size
8 cm
Follicular cysts and Lutein cysts: which tends to be larger and more firm on palpation
Lutein
3 typical symptoms of lutein cysts
pelvic pain, amenorrhea, delayed menses
Physical exam for ruptured ovarian cyst
pain on palpation, acute abdominal pain, rebound tenderness
Presentation of polycystic ovarian disease (6)
anovulation, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, enlarged ovaries
Test of choice for workup of ovarian cysts
Pelvic ultrasound
Treatment of premenarchal patient with ovarian cyst greater than 2 cm
exploratory laparotomy
Treatment of reproductive age woman with ovarian cyst less than 6 cm
observe for 6 weeks
Treatment of reproductive age woman with cyst greater than 8 cm
exploratory laparotomy
Treatment of postmenopausal woman with palpable cyst
exploratory laparotomy
Treatment of woman with polycystic ovarian disease, desiring fertility
clomiphene citrate
Third most common cancer of female genital tract
Ovarian cancer
Primary means of spread for ovarian carcinoma
direct exfoliation of malignant cells
2 genes that increase risk of ovarian cancer
BRCA1, BRCA2
This common medication may have some protective effect from ovarian cancer
oral contraceptives
History risk factors for ovarian cancer (3)
positive family history, history of uninterrupted ovulation, breast cancer
3 types of ovarian carcinoma, listed most to least common
Epithelial tumors, germ cell, sex cord stroma
Most women with epithelial ovarian carcinoma are (this age)
in their 50s
Most patients with germ cell carcinoma are (this age)
1-25
Diagnosis aid for epithelial ovarian carcinoma
CA-125
Notable factor of sex cord stroma ovarian cancer
hormone producing
Treatment for epithelial ovarian carcinoma
Surgery, cisplatin-based chemo
Treatment for germ cell ovarian carcinoma
Surgery, multidrug chemo
Treatment for sex cord stroma ovarian carcinoma
surgery
5 year survival rate for epithelial ovarian carcinoma
less than 20%
5 year survival rate for germ cell ovarian carcinoma
60-85%
5 year survival rate for sex cord stroma ovarian carcinoma
90%
Physical exam in ovarian carcinoma
solid, fixed, bilateral (?), nodular mass, possibly with ascites
Symptoms of ovarian carcinoma
often asymptomatic until disease is advanced, may present with vague lower abdominal pain and abdominal enlargement
Test of choice when ovarian carcinoma is suspected
Pelvic ultrasound (malignant masses tend to be greater than 8 cm, solid, multilocular, bilateral)
Tumor markers noted in ovarian carcinoma
Ca-125, alpha-fetoprotein, hCG
Primary causative agent of cervical cancer
HPV 16, 18, 31
Behaviors correlated with a higher risk of cervical cancer
early onset of sexual activity, increased number of sexual partners
Two most common types of cervical cancer, listed with most common first
squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma
This type of adenocarcinoma is linked to in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Clear cell carcinoma
Classic presentation of cervical cancer, and other common symptoms
postcoital bleeding (classic), abnormal vaginal bleeding, watery discharge, pelvic pain
physical exam in cervical cancer
mass in cervix palpated on bimanual exam
Recommended frequency of Pap smears (It is now more complicated, but remember, the PANCE is kinda behind, and so is the review book)
Every 2 years beginning at age 21, then every 3 years from age 30
Treatment of microinvasion cervical carcinoma, when patient would like to maintain fertility
cone biopsy
Treatment of invasive cervical carcinoma, if not spread beyond cervix, uterine corpus, and vagina
Radical hysterectomy
These two treatments in cervical cancer have been found to be effective against “bulky stage” disease
Cisplatin-based chemo and radiation
6 most common infectious agents in cervicitis
Chlamydia trachomatis–Neisseria gonorrhoeae–Herpes simplex virus–Candida albicans–Trichomonas vaginalis–Gardnerella vaginallis
Primary symptom in acute cervicitis
purulent vaginal discharge
thick creamy vaginal discharge organism
Gonorrhea
thin gray vaginal discharge organism
Gardnerella
white, curd like vaginal discharge organism
Candida
Purulent vaginal discharge organism
Chlamydia
Foamy, greenish white vaginal discharge organism
Trichomonas
4 other symptoms in cervicitis (other than vaginal discharge)
leukorrhea, infertility, pelvic discomfort, dyspareunia
Cervicitis physical exam
acutely inflamed, edematous cervix with purulent discharge
motile flagellated whatnots on wet mount in cervicitis
Trichomonas vaginalis
Spores or hyphae with KOH prep in cervicitis
Candida
Clue cells in cervicitis
Gardnerella vaginalis
Intracellular diplococci in cervicitis
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Trichomonas vaginalis cervicitis treatment
metronidazole
Candida cervicitis treatment
nystatin, miconazole, or clotrimazole
Gardnerella cervicitis treatment
metronidazole
Gonorrhea cervicitis treatment
ceftriaxone
Chlamydia cervicitis treatment
doxycycline or azithromycin
How long does it take cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 to become cervical cancer?
7 years
How long does it take CIN II to become cervical cancer?
4 years
If CIN I discovered, what is the plan?
colposcopy every 3 to 4 months
If CIN II is discovered, what is the plan?
destruction or excision of the lesions, cryotherapy or laser, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
What’s the deal with incompetent cervix
fetal membranes are exposed to vaginal flora and risk of trauma, infection, and premature rupture of membranes is higher
What two history factors predispose a woman to incompetent cervix
surgery or cervical trauma
Common presentation and timing of incompetent cervix
painless dilation and effacement of cervix, possibly with bleeding, vaginal discharge, or rupture of membranes, often during second trimester of pregnancy
Treatment of incompetent cervix
strict bed rest–placement of a cerclage, a suture placed vaginally to close the cervix
Definition of a cystocele
descent of a portion of the posterior bladder wall and trigone into the vagina, typically due to trauma of parturition (childbirth)
symptoms of small cystocele
none
symptoms of large cystocele
vaginal pressure, protruding mass, urinary incontenence, aggravated with prolonged standing, coughing, or straining