Woman's health and Contraception Flashcards
Outline dysmenorrhea as woman’s health
- Period pain usually felt as painful muscle cramps in the stomach which
can spread to the back and thighs - The pain can be either intense spasms or dull and constant
Outline whaty causes dysmenorrhea
- Caused by the tightening (and contracting) of the muscular wall of the womb
- During the period, the wall of the womb starts to contract more vigorously
to help the womb lining shed as part of the period - When the wall of the womb contracts, it compresses the blood vessels in the
womb lining – this cuts off the blood and oxygen supply to the womb - Without oxygen, the tissues in the womb release chemicals that trigger pain
Outline signs and symptoms of dysmenorrhea
- Women aged 30 to 45 are more commonly affected
- The pain usually lasts 48 to 72 hours – it’s usually worse when the
bleeding is heaviest - Cramps and spasms which can vary in intensity during each period
- Pain appears to become less severe as women age
Outline when to refer for dysmenorrhea
- If periods become heavier than usual or irregular
- If period pain is experienced when women are not on their period
- If period pain is not controlled after three months of treatment with
pain killers
Outline treatment options for dysmenorrhea
- Analgesics can be recommended to
help relieve the pain experienced with dysmenorrhea
*Initially over-the-counter analgesics should be considered
*If no pain relief experienced after
three weeks of using over-the- counter analgesics, refer to GP for
review - Naproxen is an alternative if
appropriate
Outline self care advice for dysmenorrhea
- Stop smoking
- Exercise (gentle swimming, walking or cycling)
- Heat – pads or hot water bottles
- Warm bath or shower
- Massage – light, circular massage around your lower abdomen
- Relaxation techniques – yoga or pilates
Outline menorrhagia as woman’s health
- Menorrhagia is the scientific term for very heavy or abnormal periods
- The condition is painful and needs to be differentiated from dysmenorrhea
- Heavy menstrual bleeding is common and most women don’t experience
blood loss of a significant volume to be diagnosed with menorrhagia - Women who do have menorrhagia may find symptoms restrict everyday
basic activities affecting quality of life
Outline what causes menorrhagia
*Hormone imbalances
* Fibroids
*Ovarian dysfunction
* Polyps
*IUD
* Cancer
Outline when to refer for menorrhagia
*Vaginal bleeding so heavy it soaks at least one pad or tampon an hour
for more than two hours
*Bleeding between periods or irregular vaginal bleeding
Outline treatment options for menorrhagia
- Tranexamic acid 500mg tablets are available as an OTC medicine (launched in 2011)
- Usual dose is 2 tablets 3 times a day during the period for a maximum of 4
days - Small market means the product is not popular and hard to obtain
- OTC NSAIDS may also be beneficial
- Please refer to aches and pains lecture for analgesic choices
- Contraceptives, IUS and other treatments are available from the GP
Outline cystitis as womans health
An infection and/or inflammation if the bladder
- more common among women
Occurs when bacteria grow in the bladder
- sometimes bacteria from around the rectum and genitals can spread
to the urethra
The bacteria enter the urethra, travel to the bladder where they
multiply causing inflammation and/or infection
Outline what causes cystitis
Dehydration
Irritation
Toiletries
Clothing
Pregnancy
Outline signs and symptoms of cystitis
- Intense pain and/or burning sensation on passing urine
- Increased frequency of urination
- Passing small quantities of urine
- Greatly increased urgency when a person needs to pass urine;
particularly smelly and cloudy urine
Outline when to refer for cystitis
- If symptoms do not improve within 3 days
- Frequent episodes of cystitis
- Blood in urine
- If you are male
Outline a breakdown of treatment options for cystitis
- Mild cystitis will usually clear up on its own
- More severe cystitis may require antibiotics upon referral to GP
- Analgesics can be used to help reduce any pain-like symptoms
associated with cystitis
