Symptoms in pharmacy Women's Health Flashcards
Conditions for womens health
- Cystitis
- Vaginal thrush
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Menorrhagia
- Emergency hormonal contraception
- Progestogen only contraception
- Menopause and perimenopause
Cystitis
Upper Urinary Tract Infection
(UTI)
- Infections of kidney and infection or inflammation of ureter
Lower Urinary Tract Infection
(UTI)
- Infection/ inflammation of
bladder - Urethritis
- Infection/inflammation of
urethra
Cystitis
- Collection of urinary symptoms including
dysuria (pain on urinating), frequency and urgency - Occurs when bacteria pass up along urethra and enter and multiply within the bladder, causing inflammation
- Usually caused by bacteria from the GI tract, most commonly E.coli
Who is most likely going to be effected
- 1 in 2 women will experience an episode during their lifetime
- Rare in males as urethra is longer, so harder for bacteria to reach the bladder
Causes of cystitis
- Wiping back to front, exposing urethra to faecal bacteria
*Previous infection not fully clearing
*Diabetes- sugary environment for bacteria to thrive
*‘Honeymoon cystitis’- sexual intercourse causing minor trauma or pushing bacteria along urethra - Post menopause change in vaginal lining
Symptoms of UTI
- itching or pricking sensation in urethra
- More frequent desire to pass urine
- Urgent need to pass urine throughout day and night
- Can only pass few burning, painful drops of urine (dysuria)
- Bladder may not feel completely empty after urinating
- Cloudy and strong-smelling urine: sign of bacterial infection
Symptoms Needing Referral UTI
- Blood in urine - kidney stone pain and potential bladder cancer
- Suggesting upper UTI symptoms
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Longer than 3 days
Cystitis – Self-management
- Avoiding irritants - Vagina self cleans
- Drink plenty of water - drinks loads to encourage urination to flush out the bacteria, but this will cause discomfort.
- Wait 20 seconds after passing urine then strain to empty final drops. Leaning back may help, rather than the usual sitting posture - enable fully empty
- Wipe front to back
- Urinate after sex
Home remidies for UTI
- 300mL every day has a bacteriostatic effect Cramberry juice
OTC management of UTI
- Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen for up to 2 days
- Help with dysuria and any discomfort felt
- Potassium citrate or sodium citrate
*Idea is that they make urine more alkaline to help with dysuria
*Will cause symptomatic relief but not treat the cause (infection)
Cautions of taking alkalising agents
- Take stated dose of product- some cases of severe hyperkalaemia reported
- Contraindicated in patients taking medication
- Unplesent taste so dilute with cold water
- Contraindications if pregnant
Antibiotics for UTI
- Some community pharmacies involved in a pilot scheme to test and treat UTIs within the pharmacy
- treat uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 16-65 year
- Use urine dipstick positive, or if symptoms strongly suggestive of UTI
- Trimethoprim or Nitrofurantoin for 3 days usually
Vaginal Candidiasis (Thrush)
- Common yeast infection, known as thrush
- Caused by Candida albicans
- Usually harmless, but can be uncomfortable and recurrent
- Not an STI
Symptoms of Vaginal thrush
- Itch (pruritis) around the vagina - intense burn scraching check if it is caused by new toiletries could be dermatitis
- Vaginal discharge - white cream coloured cottage cheese
- Bacterial infection - green yellow odor
- Vaginal soreness
*Dysuria - pain on urination
*Dyspareunia - pain during sex
Risk factors vaginal thrush
- Yeast likes to grow in warm, moist conditions and develops if the balance of vaginal bacteria changes
- women of childbearing age due to low vaginal pH and presence of glycogen
- Recently taken a course of antibiotics
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes (especially if poorly controlled)
- Weakened immune system
Prevention of Thrush
- Dry area properly after washing
*Avoid tight/nylon tights or underwear - Avoid perfumed soaps and shower gels, vaginal douches and deodorants, and foam baths
- Wipe front to back after bowel motions
Vaginal thrush management
- Topical vaginal cream
- Pessary
- Oral capsule
External creams for Trush
- Clotrimazole 2% cream Canestan
- Used for immediate symptomatic relief of itch
- Apply thinly to vulva and surrounding area BD-TDS until symptoms disappear
Side effects of creams for thrush
- Itching/burning sensation
- Can damage latex contraceptives- use alternative precautions for at least 5 days after using product
- Need to be motivated to continue using it if using alone
Internal cream for vaginal cream
- Clotrimazole 10% cream Canesten
- intravaginally using the applicator supplied
*One-off treatment, best administered at night
Internal cream side effects of vaginla thrush
- Itching/burning sensation
- Convenient but some women uncomfortable with the formulation
- Can damage latex contraceptives- use alternative precautions for at least 5 days after using product
- Not to be used during periods- may wash out
Pessary treatment for vainal thrush
- Clotrimazole 500mg, 200mg or 100mg Canesten
- 500mg pessary one off treatment at night repeated for 7 days
- 200mg pessary - One pessary daily at night for 3 days
- 100mg pessary - Two pessaries daily at night for 3 days OR one pessary daily at night for 6 days
Side effects of pessary for vaginal thrush
- Convenient but some women uncomfortable with the formulation
- If using longer course, must be motivated to complete course
- Can damage latex contraceptives- use alternative precautions for at least 5 days after using product
- Check patient understanding with regards to application
- Not to be used during periods- may wash out
- Do not use tampons
Oral capsule canestan for vaginal thrush
Fluconazole 150mg oral capsule - oral capsule
- One-off dose, to be swallowed whole
- May take 12-24 hours for symptoms to improve