Final Exam Flashcards
(150 cards)
Primary Amenorrhea vs Secondary Amenorrhea
Primary- no menarche by age 16
-evaluation if no menarche by 15 or within 3 years of thelarche (breast development); no breast development by age 13
Secondary- lack of menstruation for 3-6 months or the length of 3 menstrual cycles
Amenorrhea Causes
pregnancy
hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction
ovarian dysfunction
genital outflow alterations
Evaluation for primary amenorrhea
history and physical
lab tests- HCG. FSH, TSH, PRL, possibly LH
Pelvic ultrasound
Primary Amenorrhea evaluation
breast development
presence or absence of uterus
FSH levels
Most important step in amenorrhea workup
determine by physical exam or ultrasonography if there are any anatomic abnormalities of the vagina, cervix, or uterus
elevated FSH level in amenorrhea
probably diagnosis is gonadal dysgenesis
karyotype should be obtained
If the uterus is absent and FSH is normal in amenorrhea
probable diagnosis is Mullerian agenesis or androgen insensitivity syndrome (circulating testosterone is in the male range)
If FSH is normal and breast development is present but imaging detects accumulated blood in uterus (hematometra) or vagina (hematocolpos) in amenorrhea
obstructed outflow tract present
If FSH is low or normal but uterus is present in amenorrhea
workup for degree of pubertal development
distinguish between constitutional delay of puberty and congenital GnRH deficiency
also investigate possible causes of secondary amenorrhea
Initial evaluation for secondary amenorrhea
history and physical
Initial labs: HCG, FSH, TSH, PRL, E2, Total T
If pregnancy test is negative in secondary amenorrhea…
evaluate if the patient has adequate estrogen, a competent endometrium, and a patent outflow tract
do Progesterone Challenge Test
Progesterone Challenge Test
Medroxyprogesterone acetate or micronized progesterone given for 10-14 days and is expected to induce withdrawal bleeding within a week of the test
If bleeding occurs after Progesterone challenge
sufficient estrogen, presumed anovulatory (extra-ovarian sources)
If bleeding does not occur after progesterone challenge
patient may be hypoestrogenic or have an anatomic condition or obstruction
High serum prolactin concentration in secondary amenorrhea
can be increased by stress ore eating
measure at least twice before ordering cranial imaging
screen for thyroid disease- hypothyroidism can cause hyperprolactinemia
refer to endocrinology
High serum FSH concentration in secondary amenorrhea
indicates primary hypogonadism (ovarian failure or insufficiency)
Normal or low serum FSH concentration in secondary amenorrhea
indicates secondary hypogonadism (PCOS or hypothalamic amenorrhea)
High serum androgen concentration in secondary amenorrhea
depending on clinical picture can solidify PCOS diagnosis or may raise question of androgen-secreting tumor of ovary or adrenal gland
refer to endocrinology
Treatment of secondary amenorrhea
directed at correcting the underlying pathology
achieve fertility if desired
prevent complications of the disease process
Treatment of hypothalamic causes of amenorrhea
seen in many athletic women
education on adequate caloric intake and decreased exercise
referrals as appropriate
CBT
management of low bone density
Treatment of hyperprolactinemia in amenorrhea
treatment depends on cause and patient goals
treated by endocrinologist
Treatment of primary ovarian insufficiency in amenorrhea
postmenopausal hormonal therapy for prevention of bone loss
oral contraceptives (intermittent ovarian function)
replacement of estrogen and/or progestin
Treatment of hyperandrogenism in secondary amenorrhea
directed toward achieving women’s goal
relief of hirsutism
resumption of menses
fertility
preventing long-term consequences of PCOS
endometrial hyperplasia
obesity
Abnormal uterine bleeding
majority of cases are just after menarche or perimenopausal period
most cases related pregnancy, structural uterine pathology (fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis)
anovulation
neoplasia