Menstrual Disorders Flashcards

1
Q

Most common cause of heavy periods

A

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (ovulatory or non-ovulatory)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

3 main types of abnormal uterine bleeding bleeding

A

Heavy Menstrual bleeding, Intermenstrual bleeding, Postcoital and Postmentopausal bleeding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

PALM–COEIN Classification of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding - what does it stand for?

A

Polyps
Adenomyosis
Leiomyoma
Malignancy and hyperplasia

Coagulopathy
Ovulatory dysfunction
Endometrial
Iatrogenic
Not yet classified

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

PALM–COEIN Classification of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding - what categories does it split it into?

A

Structural (PALM)
Non-structural (COEIN)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What abnormal bleeding patterns may be associated with cervical or endometrial malignancy

A

Intermenstrual bleeding
Postcoital bleeding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Intermenstrual and postcoital bleeding can be common in women using…

A

Hormonal contraceptives

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How are intermenstrual and postcoital bleeding investigated in primary care?

A

Visualising the cervix, taking a smear if none recently and STI swabs to rule out infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

NICE guidelines recommend an endometrial sample in what cases in a women with intermenstrual bleeding

A

Intermenstrual bleeding persistent in a women >45yo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Specialist referral is needed in women with intermenstrual/postcoital bleeding if…

A

The cervix appears abnormal
Abnormal cytology or histology results
Continuation of postcoital / intermenstrual bleeding after normal smear or endometrial sample

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Source of abnormal bleeding is usually from…

A

Uterus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Sources of abnormal bleeding other than the uterus

A

Bleeding from other parts of genital tract (e.g. vulva, vagina or cervix)
Bleeding from urinary or GI tracts should be excluded (can be mistaken for PV bleed)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Cause of abnormal bleeding from uterus

A

Anovulatory cycles
Pregnancy
Menopause
Structural abnormalities (fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, uterine prolapse)
Bleeding disorders
Malignancy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Causes of abnormal bleeding from lower genital tract

A

Infection
Trauma
Urogenital atrophy
Malignancy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Types/categories of abnormal bleeding

A

Heavy menstrual bleeding
Intermenstrual or unscheduled
Post-coital
Post-menopausal bleeding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

In most cases first exclude________ as the cause of abnormal PV bleeding (unless of menopausal age and last period >12m ago)

A

Pregnancy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Definition of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

A

Bleeding volume that interferes with a woman’s quality of life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Quantifying heavy menstrual bleeding

A

Menstrual blood loss volume of ≥ 80 mL per cycle
Having to change sanitary products every 1-2 hours, needing to use two types of sanitary product together, bleeding through clothes or onto bedding, or the passage of blood clots

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Common causes of heavy menstrual bleeding related to uterine structure

A

Fibroids
Polyps
Adenomyosis
Endometrial cancer or hyperplasia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Causes of heavy menstrual bleeding not related to uterine structure

A

Iatrogenic
Ovulatory dysfunction
Coagulation disorders
Endometrial disorders

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Iatrogenic causes of heavy menstrual bleeding

A

Copper IUD
Tamoxifen
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate
Menopausal hormone therapy
Anticoagulants
Aspirin
Some herbal supplements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Ovulatory function causes of heavy menstrual bleeding

A

Psychological stress
Weight gain or loss
Excessive exercise
PCOS
Thyroid disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Endometrial disorders that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding

A

Deficiencies in vasoconstrictors and excessive production of plasminogen
Endometritis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Women with endometrial disorders causing heavy menstrual bleeding present with…

A

Predictable and cyclic menses, suggestive of normal ovulation, but they have heavy menstrual bleeding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Initial investigations for heavy menstrual bleeding

A

Urine pregnancy test
CBC, ferritin
TSH if sx suggestive of thyroid disease
Coags and LFTs if sx suggestive of haemostatic disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Additional symptoms suggestive of haemostatic defect leading to heavy menstrual bleeding

A

Frequent nosebleeds
Easy bruising
HMB from menarche
Family hx of a coagulation disorder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Further investigations for heavy menstrual bleeding

A

Pipelle biopsy – to sample the endometrium to rule out hyperplasia or malignancy
Pelvic ultrasound (including endometrial thickness)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Structural causes of heavy menstrual bleeding become more common with ___________

A

Increasing age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis and malignancy are rare causes of heavy menstrual bleeding in those aged ________

A

< 40 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

_______ are necessary to diagnose structural abnormalities or malignancy as causes of heavy menstrual bleeding

A

USS, pipelle biopsy or hysteroscopy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Can women with fibroids causing heavy menstrual bleeding be managed in primary care?

A

HMB associated with small fibroids (< 3 cm) can generally be managed in primary care with pharmacological treatments
Larger fibroids that cause significant uterine enlargement or cavity distortion, or endometrial polyps should be referred O&G

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

HMB from menarche can indicate an underlying ______ disorder

A

Coagulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

__________ in peri-menopause can cause HMB however, structural causes should be excluded using USS

A

Anovulatory cycles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Intermenstrual bleeding definition

A

Any cyclic or random bleeding between menstrual periods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Unscheduled bleeding (breakthrough bleeding) definition

A

Bleeding outside of the expected time of the withdrawal bleed in women using hormonal contraception or MHT

35
Q

Causes of intermenstrual/unscheduled bleeding

A

Ovulation
STIs
Endometrial or cervical polyps
Use of progestogen-only contraceptives
Endometrial hyperplasia or malignancy
Caesarean scar defect (isthmocele)

36
Q

Investigations for intermenstrual/unscheduled bleeding

A

Urine pregnancy test
STI testing
Smear – if last was >6–12 months ago
Pelvic USS (including endometrial thickness) – if intermenstrual bleeding is persistent or abnormal bimanual examination

37
Q

Some women may experience light intermenstrual spotting or bleeding around the time of ___________

A

Ovulation

If the hx and exam do not suggest risk of infection or cervical pathology, further investigation may not be immediately required

38
Q

Ideally, all sexually active women who have intermenstrual or unscheduled bleeding should have a speculum examination to check for __________

A

Any skin lesions, rashes, ulceration and vaginal or cervical discharge

39
Q

What should you ask women with unscheduled bleeding about if they are on an oral contraceptive or MHT?

A

Their adherence to their oral contraceptive or MHT regimen and if they are using any other medicines or over-the- counter products as these could affect the absorption of oral medicines

40
Q

From 1 November, 2019, the starting age for the National Cervical Screening Programme changed from __ years to __ years

A

20 to 25

41
Q

Rational for changing the starting age for smears

A

Cervical cancer in women aged < 25 years is rare and the evidence suggests that screening does not prevent cervical cancer in this age group.

42
Q

Post coital bleeding definition

A

Any bleed in 24hrs following vaginal intercourse

43
Q

Causes of post coital bleeding

A

STIs
Cervical ectropion or polyps
Atrophic vaginitis
Cervical cancer
Vaginal cancer
Trauma

44
Q

Investigations for post coital bleeding

A

Pregnancy test
STI testing
Smear – if the last was >6–12 months ago
Pelvic USS – if any abnormalities on bimanual

45
Q

Should you investigate a single episode of post coital bleeding

A

A single episode of post-coital bleeding in a woman with a normal cervical appearance and smear does not immediately warrant further investigation of cervical pathology

46
Q

Atrophic vaginitis is common in _________ women and can be managed using…

A

Post-menopausal
Vaginal moisturisers, lubricants or topical vaginal oestrogens

47
Q

Should cervical polyps be removed?

A

Yes
Cervical polyps < 1.5 cm can be removed in primary care and sent for histological examination;
If >1.5cm, refer to O&G

48
Q

If enlarged uterus or pelvic mass on bimanual exam what should you do?

A

Refer for pelvic USS

49
Q

In which situations would you refer for colposcopy in post coital bleeding

A

Persistent or recurrent post-coital bleeding
Abnormal cervical, vaginal or vulval appearance
Abnormal cervical smear result

50
Q

Definition of post menopausal bleeding

A

Any bleeding that occurs after 12 months or more of menopausal amenorrhoea

51
Q

Post-menopausal bleeding is a red flag for _____________ and this must be excluded as the cause of post-menopausal bleeding with high priority.

A

Endometrial cancer

52
Q

Investigations for post menopausal bleeding

A

Smear - if last was >6-12m ago
STI testing as indicated by risk
Pipelle biopsy
Pelvic USS
Hysteroscopy (if taking tamoxifen)

53
Q

Why do a pipette biopsy for post menopausal bleeding

A

To sample the endometrium to rule out hyperplasia or malignancy

54
Q

Cause of post-menopausal bleeding in order from most common to least

A

Endometrial or vaginal atrophy
MHT
Endometrial or cervical polyps
Endometrial hyperplasia Endometrial cancer Cervical cancer

55
Q

All women who present with post-menopausal bleeding who have not recently initiated MHT should be referred for ______. What about if she is taking tamoxifen?

A

Pelvic USS with high priority (i.e. within 2-4 weeks)
If the woman is taking tamoxifen, refer for hysteroscopy and pelvic USS

56
Q

Bleeding after _________ continuous MHT or _______ in women taking cyclical MHT should be investigated with pelvic USS

A

6 months of continuous
Unscheduled bleeding in women taking cyclic

57
Q

Infrequent menstrual cycles are defined as…

A

> 38 days between menstrual cycles

58
Q

Amenorrhoea definition

A

Absence of menstrual cycles

59
Q

Primary amenorrhoea is…

A

Failure to reach menarche

60
Q

Secondary amenorrhoea is…

A

Cessation of regular menses for >3 months or the cessation of irregular menses for >6 months

61
Q

The most common cause of primary amenorrhoea in a girl with no secondary sexual characteristics is…

A

A constitutional delay in growth and puberty

62
Q

If there is no obvious cause of primary amenorrhoea, e.g. anorexia, _______ may be the most appropriate course.

A

Watchful waiting

63
Q

The most common cause of secondary amenorrhoea is…

A

Pregnancy

64
Q

Causes of infrequent or absent menstrual cycles include (other than pregnancy)

A

Anovulatory cycles
PCOS or functional anovulation, e.g. excessive exercise, eating disorder, stress, some medicines.
Thyroid disease and hyperprolactinaemia are less common causes.

65
Q

Infrequent menstruation following menarche is usually due to…
This often settles into a normal pattern within…

A

Anovulatory cycles and hypothalamic- pituitary-ovarian axis immaturity

2-3 years

66
Q

2 stages of life when infrequent menstruation may occur and is not of concern

A

Following menarche
Peri-menopause

67
Q

Risk factors for endometrial cancer or hyperplasia

A

Age >45 or age >35 with one or more of the following:
– BMI ≥ 30
– Diabetes
– Hypertension
– Exposure to unopposed oestrogen e.g. MHT
– Nulliparity, infertility, PCOS
– Māori or Pacific ethnicity
– Family hx of endometrial, colorectal, small intestine, ureter or renal cancer

Taking tamoxifen

68
Q

First choice treatment for HMB for women also requiring long term contraception

A

Mirena

69
Q

Hormonal treatments for HMB

A

Mirena
COC
Depot / POP
Cyclical progesterone

70
Q

Do cyclical progesterones for HMB provide contraception?

A

No

71
Q

Non hormonal treatment options for HMB

A

Tranexamic acid
NSAIDs

Both started at the onset of menses

72
Q

Diagnosis of PCOS

A

Rotterdam criteria
Must exhibit 2 of:
Biochemical/clinical signs of hyperandrogenism
Oligomennorhoea (<9 periods/year)
Polycystic ovaries

And the exclusion of other causes

73
Q

Features of PCOS not in diagnostic criteria

A

Obesity
Insulin resistance
Impaired glucose tolerance and T2DM
Dyslipidaemia
Cardiovascular disease
OSA
Infertility

74
Q

An approach to a patient with a possible PCOS should be 2-fold, directed towards ________ as well as _________

A

Making a diagnosis
Screening for associated endocrine abnormalities

75
Q

PCOS treatment - any intervention directed at reducing central obesity (e.g. lifestyle modification) will not only improve quality of life, but also ______

A

Correct hyperinsulinism and improve fertility and lipid and androgen profiles

Can have a lifelong impact on reducing possible long-term complica- tions of the syndrome

76
Q

In patients with PCOS even a _______ reduction in body mass restores ovulation and fertility

A

5%

77
Q

The cause of infertility in patients with PCOS is generally…

A

Lack of ovulation because of a failure of the follicles to develop beyond 10mm

78
Q

Pharmacological treatment for infertility in PCOS

A

Clomiphene citrate
Metformin (controversial)

79
Q

How does clomiphene citrate work?

A

An oral estrogen antagonist that raises circulating levels of FSHand induces follicular growth in most women with PCOS and anovulation

80
Q

Risks with using clomiphene citrate?

A

Multiple pregnancies
Ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome

81
Q

How is metformin beneficial in PCOS?

A

Increases menstrual cyclicity
Reducing fasting insulin levels, BP and LDL cholesterol
Improves androgen levels and hirsutism

82
Q

Menstrual dysfunction, including irregular periods, in women with PCOS can be managed by what medications?

A

Progestins (e.g. medroxyprogesterone or norethisterone) or the oral contraceptive pill
Metformin

83
Q

Treatment of hirsutism in PCOS

A

Cyproterone + ethinylestradiol (Ginet)
Spironolactone

84
Q
A