Women's Health Flashcards
What is PCOS? (4)
A condition in which the clinical symptoms vary in severity between individuals over time.
It is characterised by:
- Hyperandrogenism +/- associated clinical manifestations of acne, hirsutism and alopecia in adults
- Menstrual disturbances (olio/amenorrhoea or oligo/anovulation, and subsequent subfertility
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound
Cause of PCOS?
The cause of PCOS is unknown but it is likely to be multifactorial with environmental and genetic components
Complications of PCOS?
- Cardiovascular Risk (MIDDCS)
- Fertiliy and pregnancy (Subfertility, poorer preg outcomes)
- Cancer (Endometrial hyperplasia and cancer)
- Pscyhological impact (BAPED)
PCOS (Normal physiology of ovaries)
There are 2 layers of cells in the ovary:
- Theca cells, where cholesterol is converted to androgen under the influence of luteinizing hormone (LH).
- Granulosa cells, where androgens are converted to oestradiol under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Production of these hormones leads to normal follicular growth and ovulation.
Pathophysiology of PCOS
Excess Androgen Production:
* High LH levels drive increased androgen production.
* Androgens promote small follicle development but block full maturation and ovulation.
* Unopposed estrogen (due to lack of ovulation) increases the risk of endometrial hyperplasia.
Hyperinsulinemia:
* Insulin resistance (present in 65–80% of women with PCOS) leads to elevated insulin levels.
* Insulin amplifies LH-induced androgen production, worsening symptoms.
Reduced SHBG:
* Insulin resistance and weight gain lower sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), increasing free androgens and their effects.
When to suspect PCOS?
- Oligo-/amenorrhoea (indicating infrequent ovulation or anovulation).
- Heavy, irregular or prolonged periods.
- Acne.
- Androgen-related alopecia.
- Hirsutism.
- Obesity.
- Infertility.
HAI HAOO
Diagnosis of PCOS in adults?
Note: 20% of women have appearances suggestive of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, but, unless they are symptomatic, they do NOT have PCOS.
Rotterdam criteria
Diagnosis of PCOS is based on the Rotterdam criteria in which two out of the three following criteria should be present:
- Amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea (cycle >35d or <8 periods a year).
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound scan.
- Clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism (acne, hirsutism, alopecia or raised free androgen index).
An elevated free androgen index (FAI) of >5 suggests PCOS (note: reference ranges vary between labs).
FAI is a measure of biologically-active testosterone. Some labs calculate this for you; otherwise, it is calculated from total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin levels using the formula below:
FAI = total testosterone × 100/SHBG
Overall management for PCOS
- Lifestyle and weight management
- Menstrual regulation
- Management of hyperandrogenism (Acne + hirsutism)
- Fertility management
- Pscyhological and long term health
- Cardiovascular and diabetes risk
How to manage weight in PCOS?
First-line for Overweight/Obese Women:
* Combine diet, exercise, and behavioral strategies to reduce weight.
* Even a 5–10% weight loss can restore ovulation and improve metabolic markers.
* Referral for specialized weight management support if needed, including medications (e.g., orlistat, liraglutide) or bariatric surgery for severe cases.
General Recommendations:
* Emphasize sustainable, patient-preferred diets as there is no single superior diet.
* Address weight stigma with sensitivity, considering life stages prone to weight gain (e.g., adolescence, pregnancy).
For Non-Obese Women:
* Focus on weight maintenance and healthy lifestyle practices.
Managing menstrual irregularities in PCOS?
First-Line Treatment:
* Combined hormonal contraception (CHC) regulates periods, reduces LH levels, and increases sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) to lower androgen activity.
* Use 1st/2nd-generation pills (e.g., Microgynon) as first-line options; newer pills like Yasmin may be considered if others are not tolerated.
Endometrial Protection:
* If <1 period every 3 months:
* CHC, progestogens (e.g., medroxyprogesterone acetate), or progestogen-releasing IUDs.
* Unopposed estrogen from infrequent cycles raises the risk of endometrial hyperplasia/cancer; periodic monitoring or hormonal therapy is crucial.
Managing hirsutism and acne in PCOS?
Hirsutism:
* CHC is the first-line therapy to increase SHBG and reduce androgens.
* Cosmetic options include laser hair removal, shaving, or topical eflornithine cream for temporary relief.
* Anti-androgens (e.g., spironolactone) are effective but require contraception due to teratogenic risks.
Acne:
* Manage initially like any other acne case.
* Add CHC (e.g., Dianette) if first-line therapies fail; review after six months.
Managing fertility in PCOS?
Fertility Challenges:
PCOS is a leading cause of anovulatory infertility, often linked to obesity or metabolic factors.
Recommendations:
* Weight loss significantly improves ovulation and pregnancy outcomes.
* Refer after 6 months of trying to conceive if oligo-/amenorrhoeic or >36 years old.
Treatment Options:
* Ovulation induction: Letrozole (first-line), clomiphene, metformin, or gonadotropins.
* IVF for resistant cases.
Risks:
* Increased risk of superovulation and multiple pregnancies during ovulation induction, requiring careful monitoring.
Explain PCOS to a patient
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common condition that affects how your ovaries work. It can cause a range of symptoms, but the exact cause isn’t fully understood. But what happens is:
Your body produces too many male hormones (called androgens), which can disrupt ovulation. This means your ovaries might not release eggs regularly.
Small Cysts on Ovaries: The name ‘polycystic’ refers to tiny fluid-filled sacs in your ovaries. These aren’t harmful but can interfere with how your ovaries function.
Symptoms You Might Notice:
* Irregular periods or no periods at all.
* Difficulty getting pregnant because you’re not ovulating regularly.
* Excess hair on your face or body, acne, or thinning hair on your scalp.
* Weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
Long-term Risks: If untreated, PCOS can increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease, or issues like high blood pressure.
The good news is, we can manage PCOS with lifestyle changes, medications, or a combination of both. Eating healthily, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly improve symptoms. If you’re trying to get pregnant, there are treatments that can help with ovulation.
You’re not alone in this, and there’s a lot we can do to support you. If you’d like, we can create a plan together to manage your symptoms and address any concerns you have.”
Analogy explanation for PCOS?
“Think of your ovaries like a garden, and every month, the goal is to grow a single healthy flower (an egg). For the flower to bloom, the garden needs the right balance of sunlight, water, and nutrients—this is like your hormones working together.
In PCOS, it’s as if there’s too much of one ingredient, like fertilizer (androgens, the male hormones). Instead of one flower blooming, a lot of little buds start to grow but don’t fully develop. These buds are the tiny cysts we see on the ovaries.
This imbalance can make it harder for the garden to stick to its schedule (your monthly cycle), and it might take longer or not happen at all.
The good news is, just like a garden, with the right care—like adjusting the balance of sunlight, water, or nutrients—we can help things grow properly again. Lifestyle changes or treatments can help your body find the right balance, so your garden blooms the way it should.”
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are a mixture of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts that form hard, round, whorled tumours in the myometrium.
What is the size range of fibroids?
Size ranges from a few millimetres to >30cm.
What are the risk factors for developing fibroids?
- Family history
- Age
- Early menarche
- Nulliparity
- Obesity (especially central)
True or False: Fibroids are rare before menarche.
True
Fill in the blank: The incidence of fibroids increases with _______.
[age during reproductive years]
What happens to fibroids at menopause?
Fibroids regress at menopause.
What is the exact pathophysiology of fibroids?
Unknown, but thought to derive from mutations in smooth muscle cells.
The specific mechanisms leading to the development of fibroids are still under research.
Which hormones control the proliferation and maintenance of fibroids?
Oestrogen and progesterone.
Progesterone receptor stimulation is thought to mediate this process.
What is the variability in the growth rate of fibroids?
Growth rate is variable.
This means that fibroids can grow at different rates in different individuals.
Does hormone replacement therapy (HRT) affect fibroid growth?
HRT may cause some growth of fibroids, but this is of uncertain clinical significance.
The impact of HRT on fibroid growth is not well defined.