Women’s Issues Flashcards
Premenstrual syndrome
- Experienced by 70-90% of women, severe in 5 %
- begins 3-10 days before menstruation
- most common symptoms (more physical than mood) include:
- abdominal pain/ discomfort 95%
- fatigue 75%
- mood swings 35%
- anxiety 25%
- insomnia 20%
- affect daily life 25%
Premenstrual syndrome link to hormone levels
- when estrogen is high (near ovulation) it creates a positive mood, higher self esteem, confidence and alertness
- in 4 days prior to this anxiety, depression, irritability, hostility and feeling of helplessness
- when estrogen is low- enhanced spatial skills, poorer sense of smell, complex motor skills and verbal fluency
What is the cause of PMS
- unknown
- may be related to abnormal/withdrawal of steroid hormone levels (drop in progesterone nearing end of luteal phase)
- different responses may be related to individual differences in neurological responses to these changes rather than absolute concentrations
PMS possible treatments
Pharmaceutical/ hormonal
- progesterone (not effective) or birth control pill
- GnRH agonists (not pulsatile.. so downregulate) to reduce LH, FSH and ovarian steroids (side effects: hot flashes, headache, dryness, decreased bone mineral density)
- antidepressants or anti anxiety meds effective for some
PMS possible treatments
Lifestyle changes
- exercise
- sexual activity (blood to uterus reduces cramps)
- reduce caffeine and refined cards prior to menses
- balanced diet
- reduce alcohol intake
- keep a log of symptoms
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
More severe form of PMS
- diagnosis must include these three factors
1. At least 5 symptoms of the following (mood>physical) - sadness, anxiety, extreme moodiness, marked irrationality, overwhelmed
- increased increased appetite
- insomnia
- physical symptoms (breast tenderness, headache, bloating
2. Significantly disrupt daily life and relationships
3. Not related to another medical issue
Treatment for premenstrual Dyspjoric Disorder
- serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- birthday control pills: no, or shortened, pill free interval
- calcium supplements
- exercise
- diet: reduce caffeine, alcohol and smoking
Dysmennorrhea
- cramps and pain during menstrual period
- 16 to 91% overall, with 2 to 29% severe
- negative association with age, parity, and oral contraceptives, stress and family history are positively associated
Dysmenorrhea causes and symptoms
- strong contractions of uterine smooth muscle due to reduced blood supply
- prostaglandins in menstrual fluid causing contractions to evacuate the uterus
- IUD, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis
Lower abdominal cramps, back pain, nausea, fatigue and headache
Dysmenorrhea treatments
- NSAIDS: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen (inhibits prostaglandins) or acetaminophen
- exercise (increase uterine flow)
- quit smoking
What medication is most effective to reduce menstrual pain
Naproxen
Menorrhagia
Prolonged, or heavy menstrual bleeding
- average is 5 days and 30 ml
- prolonged is >7 days
- heavy is >80ml with large clots
Menorrhagia
- causes
- diagnosis
- cancerous/ non cancerous uterine growths, bleeding disorders or other
- IUD, miscarriage, or periodic pregnancy
- survey regarding symptoms
- address cause (test for anemia, Pap test, endometrial biopsy, ultrasound
Menorrhagia treatments
- iron, iuboprofen
- hormonal (CBCP, hormonal IUD), antifibrinolytic or clotting factors, surgery if required
Amenorrhea
An absence of menstruation-split into two types
- primary if does not occur in female before 16: caused my anorexia or low body fat
- secondary if no menstruation for at least 6 months
Both reversible or non reversible
Amenorrhea causes
- pregnancy, lactation, extended-cycle birth control pills
- menopause, low body fat (11% +-4%)
- extreme exercise
- obesity, tumours of pituitary or ovaries
Oligomennorrhea
In frequent/ skilled menstrual periods
-causes can be PCOS, psychological or physical stress, chronic illness, poor nutrition, intense exercise, menopausal, young women
mTSS
Incidence
Cause
Menstrual toxic shock syndrome
- not caused by menstruation but related to tampon use
- 0.03-50/100000 and can be fatal 8%
Caused by staphylococcus aureus infection
- must be negative for Rocky Mountain fever, leptospirosis, and measles
- staph is found in about >10% of women
- anaerobic and other conditions lead to rapid growth of these bacteria
Symptoms and treatment of mTSS
- fever
- rash, then progression to desquamation of skin
- hypotension
- multi-organ deterioration
-IV fluids and antibiotics
Why did hunter gatherer women have 3x less ovulation than women today
- later age of menarche
- breastfeed longer
- more children
- menopause earlier
Cystic follicles
(Benign) and can be functional
- Un ovulated: fluid filled sacs from continual growth of the follicle
- luteinized: solid mass filled with luteal cells from the corpus luteum
Both kinds are coming and often resolve on their own
Sometimes persist, secrete hormones, disrupt fertility and need to be surgically removed.
PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian syndrome
- common 5-10% of women
- infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstruated periods
Related to high levels of androgens
-elevated LH and low FSH
Growth of body hair on face/chest, lack of ovulation, acne, infertility, sun infertility, risk of diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, cardiovascular disease
Cause is not well known
PCOS diagnosis
- pelvic exam (imaging such as ultrasound or palpation)
- blood test for diagnosis (androgens like testosterone and estrogen elevated)
- blood test for secondary effects (glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride
PCOS treatment
- can be management of symptoms and preventing other diseases
- exercise and diet
- combination BCP
- comiphene (anti estrogen), gonadotropins
PCOS risk factors for other diseases
- infertility or sub infertility
- endometrial cancer
- diabetes
- lipid abnormalities (increased total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)
- cardiovascular risks like hypertension
- obstructive sleep apnea
Ovarian cancer
Growth of cancerous cells in ovaries
-90% form in surface epithelium layer
1% of women will get ovarian cancer in their lifetime
US 22000 cases and >15000 deaths
CA 3000 cases and 2000 deaths
Why does ovarian cancer have a high mortality rate
Often asymptomatic until metastasized, few methods for screening early
Ovarian cancer risk factors
- family history (10% inherited)
- BRCA2 mutation (15%), BRCA1 (40%) likelihood of lifetime
- increased number of ovulation= greater the risk. This multiple pregnancies, breast feeding and oral contraceptives can reduce risk
Ovarian cancer diagnosis
- physical exam (palpation), imaging CT or trans vagina ultrasound
- blood tests (cancer antigen 125)
- biopsy and histology
Ovarian cancer treatment
- ovariectomy
- chemotherapy (including taxol)
- radiation
Ectopic pregnancy
An outside pregnancy where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus and in the Fallopian tube
- 1% of pregnancies
- rate has increased In last 50 years
- cannot develop normally and will lead to no birth
What percent of ectopic pregnancies are in the Fallopian tube and where in the Fallopian tube?
90%
Ampulla>isthmus>fimbriae
Risk factors of ectopic pregnancy
- previous tubal ligation or surgery
- anatomical abnormalities
- current smoker
- age>35 years
- progestin only contraceptive
- impaired estrogenic response of Fallopian tube
If left untreated what happened to an ectopic pregnancy?
The follicle will grow and can damage the organ/ tissue it is in, thus leading to severe bleeding and infection.
-10% of pregnancy mortality
Symptoms and diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy
Symptoms not always present, and often look like normal pregnancy, but can cause vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, cramps, pain on one side, dizziness and abnormal B-hCG levels
Pregnancy test and ultrasound