ESA3 revision session 1 Flashcards
Amenorrhea
absent periods
Primary amenorrhea
Failure to start menstruation by 16
Secondary
- Previously had periods
- Not had for 6 months
- Include pregnancy and menopause
Most common cause of primary amenorrhoea?
*
- Turners
- 45XO
- Coarctation of aorta
- Streaky ovaries
- Short
- Web neck
Secondary amenorrhea causes x2
Problem with HPG axis
outlflow problem
- Problem with HPG axis
- Hypothalamus (GnRH)
- Exercise
- Stress
- Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa
- Pituitary (LH, FSH)
- Sheehans syndrome (when lots of blood loss during pregnancy)
- hyperprolactinemia
- Gonads (oestrogen and progesterone)
- Menopause
- PCOS

Diagnosing amenorrhoea
- Age
- If patient is between 45-55–> menopause?
- Family history
- Sexual history
- Mental health
- Eating disorders
16 yo Beth visits the GP concerned about having irregular periods for a year and subsequent amenorrhoea for 6 months. She’s also noticed weight gain, more facial hair, and is feeling insecure about it. what are the differential
Gonadal: PCOS, ovarian cancers
Adrenal: Adrenal cortical adenoma/ adrenal hyperplasia
Pituitary: Pituitary tumours, also causing Cushing’s syndrome, gigantism or acromegaly
External sources: Abuse of Anabolic sterorids
Hirsutism
– excessive, male pattern hair growth in women / pre-pub boys
Hirsutism causes
Increased level of male hormones or oversensitivity of hair follicles to hormones
What is the term for excessive, non male pattern hair growth?
- Hypertrichosis
- Cause unknown but can be congenital

The GP highly suspects that Beth has PCOS. What can she do to confirm the diagnosis?
blood test
US of ovaries
what is PCOS
- Multiple fluid filled space in the ovary
hyperandronism causes
cyst and hirsutism
PCOS LH/FSH blood test results
- LH produces androgens
- Therefore more androgen
- Less FSH–> less androgen converted to oestrogen
- More androgen overall = hirsutism and acne
- No ovulation due to no LH surger
- Insulin resistance – hyperandronism
Insulin resistance
- Increased risk for
- T2DM
- CVD
management of insulin resistance
- Lifestyle
- Diet
- Smoking
- Exercise
- Drug
- Metformin
- Statin
- COCP
Diagnosis of PCOS made based on exclusion
2 out of 3
• Chronic Anovulation- History
- Hyperandrogenism - Blood test
- Polycystic ovaries- US
summary of menstrual cycle

difference between hormonal interactions in PCOS to normal
insuffieicnt FSH to stimulate granulosa cells

PCOS can also cause depression in women. The GP guides Beth through a self- assessment questionnaire and determines she has a mild form of depression. What are the three core symptoms of depression?
- Low mood
- Lack of energy
- Anhedonia (lack of interest + enjoyment)
treatment for PCOS
COCP
what is a herbal remedy which will reduce the effectiveness of the COCP
- St Johns Wart
- Induces P450–> which speeds up metabolism of COCP





















