Responding to Symptoms: Women's Health Flashcards

1
Q

What is dysmenorrhoea?

A

Period pains in the lower abdomen

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2
Q

What 2 classifications are associated with dysmenorrhoea?

A

Primary: pain in the absence of pelvic/uterine disease
Secondary: pain associated with pelvic/uterine disease

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3
Q

What causes period pains (primary dysmenorrhoea)?

A

Prostaglandins being released which shed the endometrium, and over-contraction causing reduced blood supply

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4
Q

What conditions can cause secondary dysmenorrhoea?

A
  1. Endometriosis
  2. Pelvic inflammatory disease
  3. IUDs
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5
Q

What is endometriosis?

A

It is when the presence/growth of endometrial tissue occurs outside of the uterus

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6
Q

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

A
  1. Painful/heavy periods
  2. Pain during sex
  3. Pain in the lower abdomen
  4. Bleeding between periods
  5. Can lead to infertility
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7
Q

What should you do if you suspect a woman has endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease?

A

Always refer.

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8
Q

What are fibroids?

A

Non-cancerous growths in the uterus

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9
Q

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

A
  1. Bloating/swelling of abdomen
  2. Heavy/painful periods
  3. Constipation
  4. Pain during sex
  5. Urinary frequency
  6. Can lead to infertility/miscarriage
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10
Q

What is pelvic inflammatory disease?

A

It is an infection of the uterus & fallopian tubes, due to e.g. an STI, childbirth, IUDs

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11
Q

What are the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease?

A
  1. Pain in lower abdomen
  2. Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  3. Bleeding between periods, and after sex
  4. Could be asymptomatic
  5. Infertility
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12
Q

What is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?

A

It is the symptoms some woman experience before or during their period.

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13
Q

What are the symptoms of PMS?

A
  1. Mood changes
  2. Fatigue
  3. Breast swelling/tenderness
  4. Weight gain
  5. Irritable/tension
  6. Abdominal bloating
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14
Q

What OTC treatment options can be given for PMS (think of minerals)?

A
  1. Calcium
  2. Magnesium
  3. Pyridoxine (vit. B6) 5-10mg
  4. Evening primrose oil - for breast discomfort
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15
Q

What things do you need to ask to determine if a woman is experiencing dysmenorrhoea?

A
  1. Their age
  2. Nature of the pain
  3. Timing of pain
  4. Bleeding - during sex, abnormal, between periods
  5. Associated symptoms
  6. Taking oral contraceptives - refer
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16
Q

What are the NSAIDs used for dysmenorrhoea? Include doses

A
  1. Ibuprofen max 1.2g
  2. Diclofenac 12.5mg
  3. Naproxen 500mg, then 250mg if required 6-8h later
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17
Q

What other medications can be used to treat dysmenorrhoea?

A
  1. Paracetamol - with or without NSAID
  2. Aspirin - GI upset, try to avoid
  3. Hyoscine
  4. Caffeine - can be taken with ibuprofen
18
Q

What non-pharmaceutical treatments can women do to relieve their dysmenorrhoea?

A
  1. Hot water bottle/warmth
  2. TENS machine - electric pulses to relieve pain
  3. Exercise/supplements
19
Q

What happens to the epithelial glycogen present in a woman’s vagina?

A

It gets broken down by bacteria & enzymes into acids

20
Q

Which conditions can vaginal thrush mostly occur in?

A
  1. Immuno-compromised patients
  2. Diabetics
  3. Pregnancy
21
Q

What causes vaginal thrush?

A
  1. Alkaline vaginal environment
  2. Low oestrogen = low glycogen = higher pH = more susceptible to infections
  3. Can be a sign of child abuse
22
Q

What are the symptoms of vaginal thrush?

A
  1. Cream-coloured, thick, cottage-cheese like discharge
  2. Odourless
  3. Burning itch
  4. Skin red and raw
  5. Pain/discomfort in urination
  6. Discomfort during sex
23
Q

What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV)?

A
  1. White-ish grey discharge
  2. Fishy odour
  3. Heaviest after period
  4. No itch or soreness in vagina
24
Q

What type of infection is trichomoniasis and how does someone contract it?

A

It is a protozoa infection via sexual intercourse.

25
Q

What are the symptoms of trichomoniasis?

A
  1. Green-yellow, frothy discharge
  2. Sometimes fishy smell
  3. Itchy/uncomfortable around vagina
  4. Pain during sex/urination
26
Q

When should you refer if you suspect a patient has vaginal thrush?

A
  1. Age (<16, >60)
  2. Pregnancy
  3. Abnormal bleeding, blood in discharge
  4. Blisters or ulcers present
  5. No improvement with previous treatment
  6. Recurrent infections present
  7. Diabetics, immuno-compromised patients
  8. if it is her first time
27
Q

What things do you need to know to determine if a woman has vaginal thrush?

A
  1. Age
  2. Nature of discharge
  3. Itch
  4. Other symptoms
  5. Other conditions present
28
Q

What are some examples of azoles used to treat vaginal thrush?

A

Clotrimazole, econazole, miconazole (ending in -azole)

29
Q

How is oral fluconazole given for treatment of vaginal thrush?

A

150mg single dose, 12-24h for symptom relief

30
Q

How is the partner of the infected women treated?

A
  • Only treat partner if they are symptomatic

- Azole cream BD for 6 days, or oral fluconazole

31
Q

What counselling points can you mention for a woman who has vaginal thrush?

A
  1. Avoid tight fitted clothing
  2. Cotton underwear
  3. Avoid perfumed products around vagina area
  4. Avoid douches
  5. Do not use feminine itching products
32
Q

What is cystitis?

A

It is inflammation of the bladder due to a bacterial infection.

33
Q

Why can cystitis be recurrent in diabetics?

A

Because they have high sugar in their urine which can encourage bacterial growth

34
Q

What are the symptoms of cystitis?

A
  1. Dysuria - pain when passing urine
  2. Urine frequency
  3. Nocturia
  4. Only passing small amounts of urine
  5. Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
  6. Lower abdomen pain
  7. Cloudy/strong smelling urine
35
Q

What conditions can cause systemic symptoms & haematuria?

A
  1. Kidney stones
  2. Bladder cancer
  3. Kidney infection
36
Q

Why are older women more prone to cystitis?

A

Their vaginal lining becomes thinner due to postmenopausal oestrogen deficiency –> this causes a lack of lubrication in the vagina –> cystitis can occur

37
Q

After how many days should you refer if you suspect a person has cystitis?

A

> 2 days = refer

38
Q

When should you refer someone with suspected cystitis?

A
  1. Children & men
  2. Elderly
  3. Pregnancy
  4. Symptoms of suggested diabetes
  5. Recurrence of cystitis
  6. Haematuria
  7. Vaginal discharge
39
Q

How do you treat mild cystitis (<2 days)?

A
  1. May not need treatment
  2. Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain
  3. Alkalinising agents
40
Q

What is phleonephritis?

A

It is when a UTI travels up to the urethra and into the kidneys, causing an infection

41
Q

What other advice can you give for a person with suspected cystitis?

A
  1. Drink lots of fluids
  2. Cranberry juice
  3. Complete emptying of bladder
  4. Urinate immediately after sex