WEEK 1 Menstrual Cycle & Uterine Conditions Flashcards
What is the process through which sex hormones controlling the menstrual cycle are synthesized from cholesterol?
Steroidogenesis
Which part of the brain initially releases the gonadotropin-releasing hormone?
Hypothalamus
Which hormones does the pituitary gland produce when stimulated by GNRH?
FSH & LH
The withdrawal of which hormone results in menstruation?
Progesterone
What is the purpose of the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle?
To produce an ovum
In the absence of conception, what process does the unfertilized follicle undergo?
Luteinization
During which phase of the menstrual cycle does the endometrial tissue develop?
Proliferative phase
Menorrhagia
Heavy, prolonged menstrual flow
Oligomenorrhea, hypomenorrhea
light bleeding
Polymenorrhea, hypermenorrhea
frequent bleeding
Metorrhagia
Irregular bleeding patterns
Intermenstrual bleeding
Bleeding between periods
Post Coital bleeding
after intercourse
what is PALM-COEIN an acronym for? What does the acronym stand for?
Standardize causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding
PALM: Anatomical/Structural Etiology **Diagnosed w/imaging**
Polyps
Adenomyosis
Leiomyoma (fibroids)
Malignancy and Hyperplasia
COEIN: Hormonal/Functional Etiologies
Coagulopathy
Ovulatory Dysfunction
Endometrial
Iatrogenic
Not Yet Classified
What are Endocervical Polyps?
Where do they arise from?
What Do they look like? #3
Benign growths/Skin Tags
Hyperplastic epithelial cells & Vascular Core Component
Fleshy/Pedunculated lesion (on a stalk)/pear-shaped
Steroidogenesis
What is the process through which sex hormones controlling the menstrual cycle are synthesized from cholesterol?
Hypothalamus
Which part of the brain initially releases the gonadotropin-releasing hormone?
FSH & LH
Which hormones does the pituitary gland produce when stimulated by GNRH?
Progesterone
The withdrawal of which hormone results in menstruation?
To produce an ovum
What is the purpose of the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle?
Luteinization
In the absence of conception, what process does the unfertilized follicle undergo?
Proliferative phase
During which phase of the menstrual cycle does the endometrial tissue develop?
Heavy, prolonged menstrual flow
Menorrhagia
light bleeding
Oligomenorrhea, hypomenorrhea
frequent bleeding
Polymenorrhea, hypermenorrhea
Irregular bleeding patterns
Metorrhagia
Bleeding between periods
Intermenstrual bleeding
after intercourse
Post Coital bleeding
Standardize causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding Polyps Adenomyosis Leiomyoma (fibroids) Malignancy and Hyperplasia Coagulopathy Ovulatory Dysfunction Endometrial Iatrogenic Not Yet Classified
what is PALM-COIN an acronym for? What does the acronym stand for?
What is Adenomyosis?
What are risk factors for Adenomyosis? #5
How to diagnose?
Endometrial tissue from uterus deep into uterine muscle in uterine wall
Variant of Endometriosis
Risk Factors:
- Multiple pregnancies (even sponanteous abortions)
- Uterine surgery
- C-section
- DNC
- Women in 40s - 50s
Diagnosis: TVS or MRI
What are the symptoms of Endocervical Polyps?
When should you remove Endocervical Polyps?
Post-Coital Bleeding
Asymptomatic
Remove & send for histology/cytology when:
- >3cm
- friable,
- irregular,
- necrotic
Symptoms of Adenomyosis
How do you diagnosis?
PALM classification
- Asymptomatic, often
- Knifelike, stabbing pain (pretty severe)
- Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps)
- Dyspareunia (pain w/intercourse)
Diagnosis:
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- Histology
What is Leiomyoma?
What does it arise from?
PALM Classification
“Uterine Fibroids”
Benign Fibro-muscular tumors
Arises from uterine wall smooth muscle
What is a leading indicator of Hysterectomy?
Leiomyoma/Uterine Fibroids
What is a Leiomyoma?
Leiomyoma symptoms
How are Leiomyomas described?
Fibroids; benign tumors from smooth muscle cells of myometrium
S/S:
Asymptomatic; usually requires no intervention
Described based on location
Where are subserous fibroids?
Where do you palpate for them?
Located outside of uterus
Palpated abdominally
What type of fibroids give the uterus an irregular contour and are located within the organ?
Intramural fibroids
Where are submucosal fibroids located?
Are they palpable?
Location: Uterine Endometrium (inner lining of uterus/endometrium)
Benign
Palpable as enlarged or irregularly shaped uterus
What type of woman would you see with fibroids?
S/S of fibroids? #4
Diagnosed?
usually seen in women transitioning to the menopausal phase
- Anemia
- Regular/cyclical bleeding in conjunction with menses
- Rectal & pelvic pressure
- Increase urinary frequency
Diagnosed via US
____ is an overgrowth of endometrial glands and occurs in women over ___ years
Endometrial hyperplasia & malignancies
50 years
Risk factors of Endometrial Hyperplasia & Malignancy #9
- early menarche/late menopause
- PCOS
- anovulatory conditions
- nulliparity
- infertility
- obesity
- Whites
- Unopposed exogenous estrogen
- DM/HTN/gallbladder disease
COEIN Classification: Coagulopathy
ABNORMAL UTERINE BLEEDING
Clotting deficiencies EX: Thrombocytopenia, liver disease or plt deficiencies
What should be ruled out for a young woman with heavy bleeding with her menstrual cycle since time of menarche?
Von Willebrand disease
Signs of Von Willebrand disease
Labs would you order?
How to diagnose?
- Heavy bleeding
- Bruising easily (1-2x/month)
- Prolonged bleeding
- Epistaxis (1-2x/month)
- Family hx
LAB:
- PT
- PTT
- PLT
Diagnosis:
- Hematologic testing
- Refer to Hematology to make diagnosis
AUB: Ovulatory Dysfunction
Cause
Causes:
-
Endocrine disorders
- Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
- Luteal Phase Defect (lack of progesterone)
- Adrenal Hyperplasia
- Renal Failure
- Liver Disease
- Unopposed estrogen (PCOS)
- Exessive exercise/Stress
“diagnosis of exclusion when no other organic causes are identifiable”
AUB: Endometrial
S/S #3
Cause #4
- *All child bearing age who present with AUB should be considered pregnant and hcG part of assessment**
- Means something is wrong with endometrial lining not just endometriosis*
S/S:
- Longer & Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Predictive cyclical patterns
- Intermenstrual bleeding
CAUSE:
- PID-chlamydia, gonorrhea = endometritis
- Retained placenta fragments
- Endometritis
- Post-abortal issues
AUB: Iatrogenic Conditions
Causes #5
- Medications:
- Anticonvulsants (Dilantin)
- Digoxin
- Anticoagulants
- Progestin-containing contraceptives
- IUD & complications
- PID Complications
- Chronic Steroid Use
- Opiates
AUB: Not Classified
Causes
AV malformations in uterine
anything not diagnosed or fit other categories
What lab work do you order when evaluating abnormal uterine bleeding?
- HcG
- CBC
- TSH (or amenorrhea or anovulatory bleeding)
- Prolactin (or amenorrhea or anovulatory bleeding)
- PT, PTT (r/o coagulopathy)
Who is required an Endometrial Biopsy? #4
- Post-menopausal women w/abnormal uterine bleeding
- Women on hormone therapy with abnormal bleeding
- Unscheduled bleeding on Oral Contraceptives that lasts more than 3 months
- Endometrial stripe greater than 5ml on US
A patient is having anovulatory bleeding and there is no response to treatment…What do you order?
Pelvic US
You suspect an anatomic defect such as polyps and fibroids…What do you order?
saline infusion sonogram
What is considered primary amenorrhea?
- No Menses by 14yrs in absence of 2ndary sex characteristics
OR
- No Menses by 16 yrs regardless of 2ndary sex characteristics
What is secondary amenorrhea?
Absence of menses in previously normal menstruating
An interval of at least 3 cycles
OR
an interval of 6 months (after normal menstruation patterns established)
What are 4 causes of Amenorrhea?
Genital outflow tract disorder
Ovary disorder
Anterior Pituitary disorder
Hypothalamus or CNS disorder
Asherman Syndrome
Intrauterine adhesions
Scar tissue after surgery EX: C-Section
Mechanical obstruction of endometrium, vagina, or cervix
S/S:
- No pain
- No bleeding r/t uterine lining becoming obliterated
Cervical Stenosis
Cervical scar tissue becomes a plug so blood cannot drain
CAUSE:
Cone biopsy of cervix
LEEP procedure
Cryotherapy
Dilation & curettage
Congenital absence of uterus or vagina
What can cause diseases of the ovary that lead to amenorrhea?
Usually before 40 years old or Premature Ovarian Failure
Autoimmune Diseases
- Thyroid, Addisons, DM, Lupus, RA
Ovarian Destruction
- Chemo/Radiation, Asherman’s, Mumps, Abscess
Galactosemia
PCOS (alters estrogen levels)
hyperandrogenism/anovulation (interferes w/HPO axis)
Disorders of the Ovary causes
HPO Axis intact but hyperadrogen state = Anovulatory Amenorrhea
Hyperadrogen states
- PCOS
- Adult-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Decreased FSH or LH
- Lifestyle
- Hyperprolactinemia
Vascular Infarction
- Postpartum Hemorrhage “Sheehan Syndrome” (destroys pituitary gland from lack of O2)
- “Simmonds’ Syndrome” outside of pregnancy (pit destroyed)
Primary Hypothyroidism
- ^prolactin production
- Pituitary tumors secrete GH or TSH
Amenorrhea: Disorder of Anterior Pituitary
HYPERPROLACTINEMIA
Cause:
- Prolactin-secreting adenoma tumor (prolactinoma)
- Hypothyroidism
What are disorders of the Hypothalamus or CNS that cause amenorrhea?
-
Lifestyle issues
- exercise (endorphins inhibit GnRH, LH, & FSH)
- Anorexia
-
Hypothalamic Lesions (reduce GnRH, FSH & estrogen)
- Tb
- Sarcoidosis
- Encephalitis
-
Medications (effect prolactin levels)
- antihypertensives
- psychotropic drugs
- Contraceptives
- H2 blockers
-
Chronic diseases
- DM
- Crohn’s
- Celiac’s
- CF
What drugs can cause amenorrhea? How?
- Antihypertensives
- Psychotropics
- Oral contraceptives
- H2 blockers
Affect Prolactin Levels
How do you “work up” Amenorrhea?
- R/O pregnancy & menopause
- Overall Health Inquiry
- Physical Exam (BMI
Labs:
- HcG
- TSH
- Prolactin levels
- FSH
- LH
Provera Challenge Test (Progesterone withdrawal test)
*trying to induce withdrawal bleed
What does a Provera Challenge test show?
How long after giving estrogen can we do a Provera Challenge?
Progesterone withdrawal = Bleeding
Normal response = period-like bleed = hormone dysfunction
_No Respons_e = Give exogenous estrogen
No response to exogenous estrogen followed by progesterone = Outflow tract problem
Bleeding response after estrogen & progesterone = Limited endogenous or inadequate estrogen >>> check Gonadotropin levels
2 weeks
What is a normal FSH range?
5 - 30 IU/L
What is a normal LH range?
5 - 20 IU/L
What do high FSH and LH levels mean?
Most likely ovarian problem