Reproductive treatments Flashcards
How do you treat primary hypogonadism?
Difficult to treat
What is secondary hypogonadism?
deficiency of gonadotrophins ie hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
How do you treat secondary hypogonadism?
Treat with Gonadotrophins (ie LH and FSH) to induce Spermatogenesis
What does LH stimulate in men?
Leydig cells to increases intratesticular testosterone to much higher levels than in circulation (x100)
What does FSH stimulate in men?
FSH stimulates seminiferous tubule development and spermatogenesis
What should you avoid giving to men desiring fertility?
Testosterone as decrease negative feedback so decrease LH and FSH even further and decrease spermatogenesis
What happens if you give men with secondary hypogonadism testosterone?
lower LH / FSH further and further reduce spermatogenesis
What treatment should you give instead?
- Give hCG injections (which act on LH-receptors)
* If no response after 6 months, then add FSH injections
How do you treat Kallmann syndrome?
- . (not had mini puberty shortly after birth )
- FSH during mini-puberty important for growing the pool of immature spermatogonia and germ cells
- 2-4 months pretreatment with FSH before hCG treatment.
- Pretreatment Testicular size (Seminiferous tubules) ie testicular volume >6ml have better prognosis
What do you give if the man is not desiring fertility?
•Daily Gel eg Tostran
-Care not to contaminate partner
•3 weekly intramuscular injection (eg Sustanon)
•3 monthly intramuscular injection (eg Nebido)
•Less Common (Implants, oral preparations)
What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
loss of early morning erections, libido, decreased energy, shaving
What is the diagnosis of low testosterone?
- At least 2 low measurements of serum testosterone before 11am
- Investigate the cause of low testosterone
Why can testosterone replacement be unideal?
- Increased Haematocrit (risk of hyperviscosity and stroke)
* Prostate (Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) levels) - don’t wanna overstimulate
What happens in ovulation induction? What happens if more than one follicle is stimulated?
- Aim to develop one ovarian follicle
- If >1 follicle can develop, this risks multiple pregnancy (ie Twin / Triplet)
- Multiple pregnancy causes risks for mother and baby during pregnancy
What is the aim of ovulation induction?
increase FSH by a small amount
How could you restore ovulation in PCOS?
- Lifestyle / Weight Loss / Metformin
- Letrozole (Aromatase inhibitor)
- Clomiphene (Oestradiol receptor antagonist)
- FSH stimulation
What is the overview process of IVF?
- Oocyte retrieval
- Fertilisation in vitro
- Embryo incubation
- Embryo transfer
What percentage of pregnancies are unplanned?
- 19-30% of pregnancies are unplanned
2. Highest abortion rate- 2.8% in women aged22yrs
What are methods of contraception?
- Barrier: male / female condom/ diaphragm or cap with spermicide
- Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP)
- Progestogen-only Pill (POP)
- Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
- Emergency Contraception
What are permanent methods of contraception?
- Vasectomy
* Female sterilisation
What are the benefits of condoms?
- Easy to obtain – free from clinics
- No need to see a healthcare professional
- Protect against STI’s
- No contra-indications as with some hormonal methods
What are the negatives of condoms?
• Can interrupt sex • Can reduce sensation • Can interfere with erections • Some skill to use properly eg ensure no air, not too large or small. • Two are not better than one
What are the positive of the OCP?
• Easy to take – one pill a day (any time of day) • Effective • Doesn’t interrupt sex • Can take several packets back to back and avoid withdrawal bleeds • Reduce endometrial and ovarian cancer • Weight Neutral in 80% (10% gain, 10% lose)
What are the negatives of OCP?
- It can be difficult to remember
- No protection against STIs
- P450 Enzyme Inducers may reduce efficacy
- Not the best choice during breast feeding
What are the possible side effects of OCP?
• Spotting (bleeding in between periods) • Nausea • Sore breasts • Changes in mood or libido • Feeling more hungry (try different OCPs to see which suits best)
What are the rare side effects of OCP?
Blood clots in the legs or lungs (2 in 10,000)
What are the non-contraceptive uses for OCP?
- Helps make periods lighter and less painful(eg endometriosis or period pain or menorrhagia)
- Withdrawal bleeds will usually be very regular
- PCOS: help reduce LH and hyperandrogenism
What are the positives of POP?
- Works as OCP but less reliably inhibits ovulation
- Often suitable if can’ttake oestrogen
- Easy to take – one pill a day, every day with no break
- It doesn’t interrupt sex
- Can help heavy or painful periods
- Periods may stop (temporarily)
- Can be usedwhen breastfeeding
What are the negatives of POP?
- Can be difficult to remember
- No protection against STIs
- Shorter acting – needs to be taken at the same time each day
What are the possible side effects of POP?
- Irregular bleeding
- Headaches
- Sore breasts
- Changes in mood
- Changes in sex drive
What is an IUD?
-Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)
1. Copper Coil- mechanically prevent implantation,
decrease sperm egg survival
2. Lasts 5-10yrs.
3. Can cause heavy periods, and 5% can come out especially during first 3months with periods.
What is an IUS?
- secretes progesterone (eg Mirena Coil) to thin lining of the womb and thicken cervical mucus (can be used to help with heavy bleeding)
- Last 3-5yrs
What are the positive and negatives of coils?
- Coils are suitable for most women including Nulliparous (no previous children)
- Exclude STI’s and cervical screening up to date before insertion
- Prevent implantation of conceptus – important for some religions
- rarely can cause ectopic pregnancy
- Can be used as emergency contraception
What are implants?
Progestogen-only injectable contraceptives or subdermal implants
Can the IUD be used as emergency contraceptive?
- Copper intrauterine device (IUD) most effective
- can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex (<1% chance of pregnancy)