Reproductive System Pathologies Flashcards
Secondary dysmenorrhoea is a complication of some other pelvic disorder. List 6 of the most common problems that cause dysmenorrhoea.
3 marks
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Fibroid Tumours IUD - IntraUterine Device Sexually Transmitted Diseases Endometriosis Pelvic Adhesions Scar tissue Trauma
What signs and symptoms could be associated with dysmenorrhoea?
3 marks
Dull aching in abdomen & lower back
Sharp, cramping pains in pelvis & abdomen
Headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation.
Frequent need to urinate.
Endometriosis may be caused by the retrograde backflow of uterine cells through the uterine tubes or coelomic mteplasia, or by surgical procedures: What happens to the uterine cells that spread to other parts of the body?
5 marks
Wherever the endometrial cells land they stimulate the growth of supplying blood vessels and they proliferate according to the hormonal cycle of the body.
But they can’t be shed like those in the uterus with normal menstruation - they decay and accumulate which stimulates an inflammatory response.
The body tries to isolate them by surrounding them with fibrous connective tissue - leading to numerous fibrous blood blisters. These can cause adhesions on whatever surface they form on.
If on fallopian tubes & ovaries - raises risk of infertility & ectopic pregnancy.
Collecting blood can cause anaemia.
What signs and symptoms might be associated with endometriosis?
What particular feature of the timing of these signs and symptoms may be more typical of endometriosis than of other conditions associated with other systems?
3 marks
May be none, especially early on.
Infertility can be the first sign!
Pre-menstrual spotting, urinary urgency, painful urination. Diarrhoea & rectal bleeding during menstruation.
Severe pain.
Symptoms are likely to be cyclical, reaching a peak at menstruation.
Menorrhagia or heavy periods is when a women loses an excessive amount of blood during consecutive periods. In most cases no underlying cause of heavy periods is identified. However some conditions and treatments have been linked to menorrhagia.
List 4 of them.
2 marks
Uterine fibroids
Polycystic ovary syndrome
IUD
Anticoagulant medication
Premenstrual Syndrome / Tension in some women may be associated with nutritional deficiencies; which nutrients may be deficient?
2 marks
Calcium Magnesium Folic acid Vitamin B6 Some essential fatty acids
What are the main signs and symptoms of Fibroids?
4 marks
Usually no symptoms.
In extreme cases a fibroid may grow large enough to press on sensory nerves in the uterus, or on a nearby structure like the bladder - causing urinary frequency.
Or if presses on the rectum - problems with defecation.
Or if presses on the fallopian tubes - interfere with pregnancies.
Can cause heavy menstrual bleeding & bleeding between periods.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome produces changes in hormone secretion that may lead to particular signs and symptoms. What are these signs and symptoms?
2 marks
Loss of menstrual cycle
Acne
Hirsutism - thickened body hair especially on face & legs.
Oestrogens & progesterones influence sex organs either to support a pregnancy or shed the endometrial lining of the uterus, but they also work on many other tissues in the body. What are these other tissues and what are the possible effects of these hormones on these tissues?
8 marks
Bone - oestrogen prevents bone from being dissolved - inhibits osteoclasts. Progesterone helps to build it up - stimulates osteoblasts. If both are reduced, bone mass can reduce by 20%.
Cardiovascular - the proportion of triglycerides & low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) increases after menopause which can contribute to heart disease. Oestrogens also affect endothelial cells eg inner lining of blood vessels.
Effects on some cancers - high levels of oestrogen are associated with low levels of some cancers eg colon, and higher rates of other cancers eg breast & ovarian.
CNS - oestrogen is linked to mood, depression, insomnia & basic cognitive function
