SM_207b: Endocrine Control Female Repro II Flashcards
Amenorrhea is ____
Amenorrhea is absence of menses
- Primary: no menarche
- Secondary: abnormal cessation of menses (> 6 months)
- Oligomenorrhea: infrequent menses
- Generally associated with absent or irregular ovulation
Evaluation of primary and secondayr amenorrhea is the same EXCEPT ___ and ___
Evaluation of primary and secondayr amenorrhea is the same EXCEPT
- If no breast development: no estrogen production, evaluation for delayed puberty
- If breasts: assess anatomy prior to endocrine workup (15% with abnormal exam)
_____ is most common cause of secondary amenorrhea
Pregnancy is most common cause of secondary amenorrhea
- Contraception can fail: pregnancy with tubal ligation or IUD increases ectopic risk
- Early dating of pregnancy is critical
- Workup: rule out pregnancy, rule out non-reproductive endocrine disorders (excess prolactin), thyroid disease, evaluate anatomy and outflow tract
Prolactin is responsible for ___
Prolactin is responsible for milk secretion
Lactation amenorrhea is ____
Lactation amenorrhea is a lack of menstrual cycles while lactating
- Adaptive: avoid pregnancy while lactating
- Role of prolactin
- Hpothalamus: decreased GnRH pulses)
- Pituitary: imhibits LH (inhibit positive estrogen feedback): no ovulation, inadequate corpus luteum
Describe symptoms of hyperprolactinemia
Hyperprolactinemia symptoms
- Galactorrhea: milky breast discharge
- Infertility: even when no menstrual abnormality
- Menstrual disturbances: oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea
- Hypogonadism: symptoms of low estrogen (hot flashes, vaginal dryness, decreased bone mineral density)
Prolactin is under ____
Prolactin is under tonic inhibition by dopamine
- Dopamine: physiologic prolactin inhibiting factor, carried to pituitary from hypothalamus
- Decreased dopamine levels -> increased prolactin secretion
Describe pharmacological causes of prolactin excess
Prolactin excess: pharmacological causes
- Drugs affecting dopamine metabolism: antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihypertensives, opitates
- Mechanisms: dopamine receptor blockers, CNS dopamine depleters
Describe intracranial causes of pathologic hyperprolactinemia
Pathologic hyperprolactinemia: intracranial causes
- Prolactinoma: monoclonal expansion of prolactin-secreting cells
- Interference with dopamine delivery: tumor (pituitary, hypothalamic), empty sella (compressed pituitary)
TRH is a ____
TRH is a prolactin releasing factor
- Increases prolactin gene transcription
- Primary hypothyroidism: increased TRH -> increased prolactin
Cabergoline and bromocriptin are ____
Cabergoline and bromocriptin are D2 dopamine agonists
(cabergoline is better)
Describe evaluation of anatomy and outflow tract in workup of amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea
Evaluation of anatomy and outflow tract in workup of amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea
- Not pubertal: imaging
- Pubertal: progestin challenge (will also assess estrogen status)
Describe progestational challenge
Progestational challenge
- Progestin x 5-10 days
- Positive withdrawal bleed 2-7 days later: implies estrogen-primed endometrium, normal anatomy with intact outflow tract, implies anovulation (lack of ovulation) with normal estrogen level
Describe endometrial changes in response to estrogen and progesterone
Endometrial changes in response to estrogen and progesterone
Polycystic ovary disease is caused by ____ and results in ____ and ____
Polycystic ovary disease is caused by excess androgen from the ovary and results in lack of selection of dominant follicle and no ovulation
Cyst is ____
Cyst is a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing abnormally in a cavity or structure of the body
- Polycystic ovary with multiple small follicles: eggs may degenerate
Describe diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome diagnostic criteria
- Exclude other causes of hyperandrogenism
- 2 of 3 of the following: oligo and/or anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, ultrasound with ≥ 12 follicles in each ovary 2-9 mm and/or increased ovarian volume (> 10 mL)
Describe pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome pathophysiology
- Excess androgen from ovary
- Follicles cannot convert from androgenic to estrogenic environment
- Dominant follicle is not selected
- No ovulation
Describe evaluation of androgen excess
Evaluation of androgen excess
- Testosterone: elevation consistent with PCOS, very high levels (> 150 ng/mL suggest tumor)
- DHEAS: elevated levels indicate adrenal source
- 17-hydroxyprogesterone: assess in morning during follicular phase, elevated levels indicate CAH
- 24 hour urinary free cortisol: elevated in Cushing’s syndrome
- Rule out tumor: mostly by history
PCOS is associated with ____
PCOS is associated with insulin resistance
- Insulin increases androgen production from ovary
- Insulin sensitizers induce ovulation
Most patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome are ____
Most patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome are obese
- Obesity -> insulin resistance -> increased insulin -> increased ovarian androgen
- Weight loss leads to ovulation
PCOS may result in ____
PCOS may result in persistent anovulation
- Loss of hormonal cycling
- Normal estrogen levels: small follicles each make estrogen, aromatase in fat converts androgen to estrogen
- Estrogen leads to decreased FSH via negative feedback -> promote early follicle (cyst) growth -> no dominant follicle selection
- No ovulation: estrogen levels too low for LH surge