Gynae Flashcards
(162 cards)
List the 4 stages of female pubertal development and the hormone(s) which control it
1a. Growth acceleration (GH and gonadal steroids)
1b. Breast development (subareolar; thelarche) (ovarian oestrogen)
2. Pubic and auxiliary hair (adrenarche) (ovarian and adrenal androgens)
3. Menarche
Describe the physiological process behind the change in the hypothalamic-pituitary ovarian axis in puberty
Hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis reactivates (been dormant since 3-4m old)
Loses sensitivity to suppression by low gonadal steroid levels during childhood
Describe the endocrine events in the onset of puberty
- Sleep pulsatile FSH + LH release, eventually becomes 247
2. → ovarian oestrogen production
What is delayed puberty defined as ?
Absence of pubertal features by 13y/o
What is primary amenorrhoea defined as ?
No menarche by 14y/o + no sexual characteristics
OR
No menarche but other sexual characteristics developed
Which days in the menstrual cycle are the menstruation/proliferative/secretory (luteal) phase?
Day 1-4: menstruation
Day 5-13: proliferative
Day 14-28: secretory
Describe the endocrine events occur in the proliferative phase (3)
GnRH pulses from hypothalamus stimulate pituitary FSH/LH release ⇒ follicle development + follicle production of oestradiol + inhibin (-ve feedback on FSH so only 1 follicle/oocyte matures)
Oestradiol continues to increase + at maximum acts as +ve feedback ⇒ sharp LH rise
Oestradiol also ⇒ endometrium reform / proliferation
What endocrine changes occur in the luteal/secretory phase (2)
Follicle (egg released) becomes corpus luteum which produces oestrodiol + progesterone
If egg not fertilised, CL fails to continue producing oestrogen/progesterone ⇒ hormonal withdrawal ⇒ cycle starts again (endometrium sheds)
What cellular changes happen in the secretory phase? (3)
Enlarged stromal cells
Glands swell
Increased blood supply
What is the menopause defined as? (+ median age)
What age is classed as premature?
What time period does the perimenopause consist of?
= Permanent cessation of menstruation due to loss of ovarian follicular activity; median age 51
<40yrs = premature
Perimenopause = from 1st features to 12m post-LMP
What are the early effects of the menopause (3)
Irregular periods
Vasomotor (hot flushes, night sweats ⇒ sleep disturbance/irritability)
Psychological (memory loss)
What are the intermediate effects of the menopause? (3)
Skin atrophy (wrinkles)
Genital tract atrophy (dryness/dyspareunia)
Urinary tract atrophy (UTI/freq/urge/noct/incontinence)
What are the late effects of the menopause? (3)
Cerebrovascular accident
Cardiac disease
Bone fractures / osteoporosis
What 2 types of investigations can be done for ovarian failure in menopause?
When are they each measured?
FSH + LH ⇒ high = suggests less oocytes in ovary
FSH measured b/wn d2-5 - avoids normal cycle changes (FSH high pre-ov + low luteal)
Anti-Muillerian Hormone = low levels consistent with ovarian failure
Measurable any day (stable throughout cycle)
What is the incidence of osteoporosis in menopausal women?
What BMD is classed as osteopenia / osteoporosis?
1/3rd of >50s
-1 to -2.5 = osteopenia
less than -2.5 = osteoporosis
What common fractures are seen in osteoporosis? (3)
Wrist (Colle’s)
Hip
Spine
What drugs are used for osteoporosis ? (4)
Vit D supplements
Strontium
Raloxifene
Bisphosphonates
What are the genetic RFs for osteoporosis? (2)
Female FH fractures (esp 1st degree w/ hip fracture)
What are some environmental RFs for osteoporosis? (2)
Smoking
Alcohol abuse
What are some constitutional (physical) RFs for osteoporosis? (2)
Low BMI Early menopause (<45)
What types of drug is a RF for osteoporosis?
Corticosteroids (high-dose > 5mg/d)
What other conditions are RFs for osteoporosis? (7)
RA
Sedentary lifestyle
Low Ca intake
Malabsorption
Chronic liver disease
Hyperthyroidism /hyperparathyroidism
Hypergonadism
What different types (+names) of hormones are used in HRT? (4)
Oestrogens (oestradiol/oestrone/oestriol)
Progesterones (levonogesterol/norethisterone)
Androgens (testosterone)
Tibolone
What is tibolone? How does it work / its actions?
What beneficial effects for the pt? (5)
= synthetic steroid
converted in vivo into metabolites
oestrogenic/progesterogenic/androgenic)
Period-free
Treats vasomotor + psychological + libido + conserves bone mass