Female Reproductive

Question 1

name the internal female reproductive organs

Answer 1

• ovaries
• uterus
• fallopian tubes
• vagina
• breasts

Question 2

describe maturation of female reproductive organs (during puberty)

Answer 2

During puberty:
1. Hypothalamus secretes GnRH (gonadotropic releasing hormones) = stimulates Pituitary gland to release FSH and LH
2. FSH & LH activate ovaries to secrete estrogen and progesterone
= mensuration

Question 3

describe menarche

Answer 3

first episode of menstrual bleeding (millions of immature eggs but ~300 mature during menses)

1. Ovary starts to release an ovum
2. During this period -> puberty starts

Question 4

describe menopause

Answer 4

• The permanent cessation of menstrual cycle
• compensatory: FSH is elevated to try to stimulate the ovaires
• Perimenopause- gradual decline in hormone production, may last for years
• Physiologic changes: erratic menses, atrophic vaginitis, vasomotor instability (high BP, palpitations)
  = hot flashes, night sweats, irritable, insomnia, painful intercourse (dyspareunia) b/c of atrophic vaginitis

Question 5

what gland is the breast

Answer 5

mammary gland

- contains 15-25 glandular secretions (called breast lobule)

Question 6

what is thelarche

Answer 6

onset of breast tissue development

= stimulated by the pituitary gland and the hormones at puberty

Question 7

describe proliferation of breast tissue

Answer 7

Proliferation of breast tissue and lactation occur in pregnancy
= This is influenced by hormones Prolactin, and Oxytocin

• milk production is stimulated by prolactin
• milk release is stimulated by oxytocin

Question 8

what is a fibrocystic breast

Answer 8

contains benign, movable, tender mass that changes in size with the menstrual cycle

• does NOT increase the susceptibility to breast cancer
• rarely happens after menopause unless they are taking hormone replacement therapy

Question 9

name the menstrual disorders

Answer 9

1. amenorrhea
2. dysmenorrhea
3. menorragia
4. metrorrhagia
5. oligomenorrhea

Question 10

what is amenorrhea; primary and secondary

Answer 10

• Absence of menstrual period

1. Primary – absence of menses by age 15
   = caused by genetics, probs with hypothalamus or pituitary gland, and ovarian failure (immature)
2. Secondary – lack of menses for more than 3 months after the woman has started menstruating
   —>Asherman’s syndrome- lack of uterine endothelial lining due to scarring
   = scarring can be due to frequent abortions (spontaneous or planned) or D&C (dilation & curettage)

= can also be caused by drastic weight loss, eating disorders, severe or chronic stress/anxiety, and significant weight gain

Question 11

what is dysmenorrhea

Answer 11

• Painful menstrual period due to release of prostaglandins
  = Pelvic cramping that radiates to groin, back and legs

prostaglandin F is a uterine muscle stimulant and a vasoconstrictor within the uterus

treatment: NSAIDs (inhibit prostaglandins)

causes:
1. primary: unknown, some women are just prone

2. secondary:
   - hormonal imbalance
   - ovarian cysts
   - endometriosis
   - PID
   - cancer

Question 12

what is menorrhagia

Answer 12

Excessive menstrual bleeding
- menses that last longer than 7 days, or bleeding is greater than 80mL

causes:

• hormonal imbalance
• tumors
• ovarian disorders
• bleeding disorders
• taking AC

Question 13

what is metrorrhagia

Answer 13

Excessive uterine bleeding

• mensuration happens at more frequent intervals
• normal is 21-40 day cycle

causes:

• hormonal imbalance
• tumors
• ovarian disorders
• bleeding disorders
• taking AC

Question 14

what is oligomenorrhea

Answer 14

irregular periods w/ a long time in between them

Question 15

what is endometritis

Answer 15

an infection/inflammation of the uterus

Question 16

causes of endometritis w/ most and least common

Answer 16

1. Instrumentation
2. Abortion
3. Childbirth - least common
4. IUD

Note: ascending infection from vagina is the most common culprit!

Question 17

common microorganisms that cause endometritis

Answer 17

1. Gonococcus
2. Chlamydia
3. trachomatis
4. Enterococcus

Question 18

s/s of endometritis

Answer 18

• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• uterine tenderness
• fever
• foul-smelling discharges

Question 19

diagnostics for endometritis

Answer 19

Endocervical culture must be obtained for gonorrhea and/or chlamydia

Other tests:

• Blood culture, urine culture and analysis
• CT scan or ultrasound of the lower abdomen to check for any retained tissue from things like an abortion

Question 20

common microorganisms that cause cervicitis

Answer 20

• HIV
• gonococci
• trichomonas
• chlamydia
• HPV
• herpes simplex

Question 21

s/s related to cervicitis

Answer 21

• erythema and edema to cervix
• purulent discharges

Note: some inflammatory changes may resemble precancerous lesions

Question 22

female external repro organs

Answer 22

vulva, composed of the

• mons pubis
• labia: minora and majora

Question 23

describe the ovaries

Answer 23

(2 total): oocyte, produce female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)

Question 24

describe the uterus

Answer 24

womb, where fertilized ovum called a zygote will be planted into the uterus

• 3 layers:
  1. outermost: serosal
  2. muscle/bulk: myometrium
  3. innermost: endometrium, which grows and sheds every month (menses)

Question 25

describe the fallopian tubes

Answer 25

aka oviducts - site of fertilization - if sperm travels to fallopian tube b/c of constriction then ecoptic pregnancy can occur, can happen from gonorrhea

Question 26

describe the vagina

Answer 26

passageway of the menstrual flow, sexual intercourse, and childbirth

Question 27

describe the cervix

Answer 27

the deepest part of the vagina | - contains a narrow opening into the uterus where the semen/sperm travel into to meet the mature egg

Question 28

what are the gonadotropic hormones secreted from the pituitary during puberty

Answer 28

1. FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) | 2. LH (leutinizing hormone)

Question 29

each month the FSH & LH stimulates what?

Answer 29

1. FSH stimulates the ovary to produce a mature egg 2. as the egg matures, the ovary produces estrogen = stimulates LH 3. then the LH stimulates the release of this egg = if in ovulation and population occurs, woman can get pregnant 4. LH causes progesterone release, which will maintain pregnancy

Question 30

endometriosis

Answer 30

endometriosis - an abnormal growth of the endothelial tissues outside the uterus (into vagina, ovaries, or uterine ligaments) = has to be removed

Question 31

complications of cervicitis

Answer 31

- potential for ascending infection - systemic infection - pregnancy-related complications - predisposition to cancer (HPV mainly)

Question 32

what is cervicitis

Answer 32

cervical inflammation | - some degree of cervical inflammation is found in most women is normal

Question 33

diagnostics for cervicitis

Answer 33

1. pelvic exam - physical examination of the external/internal organs 2. pap smear - cervical screening for abnormal cervical cells (scrapping) for biopsy 3. biopsy 4. colposcopy - visually examine the cervix and the vagina w/ a scope