structural anomalies Flashcards
What is pelvic organ prolapse
This is the descent of pelvic organs into the vagina. This is the result of weakness and lengthening of the ligaments and muscles surrounding the uterus.
What is a uterine prolapse
This is where the uterus itself descends in the vagina.
What is a rectocele
- defect in the posterior vaginal wall – where the rectum prolapses into the vagina
- assoc with constipation
What is the presentation of a rectocele
Women can often become faecally loaded in the part of the rectum that had prolapsed into the vagina, resulting in constipation, urinary retention (due to compression on the urethra) and a lump in the vagina.
What is the management of a rectocele
Women can use their fingers to press the lump backwards (correcting the anatomical position of the rectum) in order to defecate.
What is a Cystocele
- defect in the anterior vaginal wall – where the bladder prolapses into the vagina
- can also be prolapse of the urethra (called a urethrocele) or both the bladder and the urethra (cystourethrocele).
What are the risk factors for uterine prolapse
Multiple vaginal childbirths Traumatic vaginal childbirths Advanced age (and post-menopause) Obesity Chronic Constipation (particularly rectoceles
What is the presentation of a uterine prolapse
- urinary, bowel or sexual dysfunction.
- Feeling of “something coming down” in the vagina
- Dragging or heavy sensation in the pelvis
- Women may have identified a lump or a mass in the vagina, and often will already be pushing it back up themselves.
- The prolapse will become worse on straining or bearing down.
What are the management options for a uterine prolapse
Conservative management
Vaginal pessary
Surgery
What conservative management is advised for uterine prolapse
- Physiotherapy (pelvic floor exercises)
- Lifestyle changes for associated stress incontinence (reduced caffeine intake, incontinence pads etc)
- Treat associated symptoms such as stress incontinence (e.g. with anticholinergic mediations like solifenacin or oxybutynin)
- Vaginal oestrogen cream
What is a vaginal pessary
- There are many types of pessary (e.g. ring, gellhorn, cube, donut and hodge)
- They fit inside the vagina and provide support for the uterus
- Women often have to try a few types before finding the correct comfort and symptom relief
- Pessaries should be removed and cleaned / changed periodically (e.g. every 4 months)
- They can cause vaginal irritation / erosion over time, oestrogen cream can help this
What is the surgical management for a uterine prolapse
- consider the pros and cons of surgery and the persons co-morbidities
- hysterectomy for uterine prolapse
- Surgery can be very successful in correcting the problem
- controversy about mesh repairs and the potential complications (including chronic pain) associated with the use of mesh.
- There are other complications (e.g. infection, bleeding, damage to bladder / bowel etc)
What are the features of polycystic ovarian syndrome
Weight gain Hirsuitism Infrequent or absent ovulation resulting in oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea and poor fertility Acanthosis nigricans Impaired glucose tolerance
What is the hormone profile of a patient with PCOS
LH is raised
LH to FSH ratio is raised
Insulin can be raised
Testosterone can be raised
What is the Rotterdam criteria
Requires two of three to make a diagnosis
- Infrequent or absent ovulation
- Hyperandrogenism (e.g. hirsutism)
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (or ovarian volume >10mls)