Gynaecology Flashcards
(105 cards)
3 causes of primary amenorrhoea
- Abnormal functioning of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism)
- Abnormal functioning of the gonads (hypergonadotropic hypogonadism)
- Imperforate hymen or other structural pathology
Causes of secondary amenorrhea
Pregnancy (the most common cause)
Menopause
Physiological stress due to excessive exercise, low body weight, chronic disease or psychosocial factors
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Medications, such as hormonal contraceptives
Premature ovarian insufficiency (menopause before 40 years)
Thyroid hormone abnormalities (hyper or hypothyroid)
Excessive prolactin, from a prolactinoma
Cushing’s syndrome
causes of irregular menstruation
an ovulation/ irregular ovulation - bc hormone levels disrupted or ovarian pathology
Extremes of reproductive age (early periods or perimenopause)
PCOS
Physiological stress (excessive exercise, low body weight, chronic disease and psychosocial factors)
Medications, particularly progesterone only contraception, antidepressants and antipsychotics
Hormonal imbalances, such as thyroid abnormalities, Cushing’s syndrome and high prolactin
Intermenstrual bleeding causes
Red flag - cancer
Hormonal contraception Cervical ectropion, polyps or cancer STI Endometrial polyps or cancer Vaginal pathology, including cancers Pregnancy Ovulation can cause spotting in some women Medications, such as SSRIs and anticoagulants
causes of dysmenorrhoea
Primary dysmenorrhoea (no underlying pathology) Endometriosis or adenomyosis Fibroids Pelvic inflammatory disease Copper coil Cervical or ovarian cancer
cause of menorrhagia
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (no identifiable cause)
Extremes of reproductive age
Fibroids
Endometriosis and adenomyosis
Pelvic inflammatory disease (infection)
Contraceptives, particularly the copper coil
Anticoagulant medications
Bleeding disorders (e.g. Von Willebrand disease)
Endocrine disorders (diabetes and hypothyroidism)
Connective tissue disorders
Endometrial hyperplasia or cance
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Postcoital bleeding causes
red flag - cancer (not v common)
Cervical cancer, ectropion or infection Trauma Atrophic vaginitis Polyps Endometrial cancer Vaginal cancer
Pelvic pain differentials
UTI Dysmenorrhoea IBS Ovarian cysts Endometriosis PID Ectopic pregnancy Appendicitis Mittelschmerz (cyclical pain during ovulation) Pelvic adhesions Ovarian torsion IBD
causes of pruritus vulvae
Irritants such as soaps, detergents and barrier contraception Atrophic vaginitis Infections such as candidiasis (thrush) and pubic lice Skin conditions such as eczema Vulval malignancy Pregnancy-related vaginal discharge Urinary or faecal incontinence Stress
what hormones are low in Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
low LH and FSH
–> low oestrogen, ovaries not stimulated
A deficiency of LH and FSH is the result of abnormal functioning of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
causes of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
A deficiency of LH and FSH is the result of abnormal functioning of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
- Hypopituitarism
- Damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary, (radiotherapy or surgery for cancer)
- Significant chronic conditions can temporarily delay puberty (e.g. cystic fibrosis or IBD)
Excessive exercise or dieting can delay the onset of menstruation in girls
Constitutional delay in growth and development is a temporary delay in growth and puberty without underlying physical pathology
Endocrine disorders such as growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s or hyperprolactinaemia
Kallman syndrome
causes of Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism
gonads don’t respond to LH and FSH so no oestrogen, but no -FB so inc LH and FSH production
result of abnormal functioning of the gonads
- Previous damage to the gonads (e.g. torsion, cancer or infections such as mumps)
- Congenital absence of the ovaries
- Turner’s syndrome (XO)
what is Kallman syndrome associated with
genetic condition causing hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, with failure to start puberty.
It is associated with anosmia
what investigation can you do for constitutional delay
X-ray wrist
How does hyperprolactinaemia cause secondary amenorrhoea?
high prolactin acts on hypothalamus –> prevent release of GnRH
–>. no LH or FSH
mc cause = pituitary adenoma secreting prolactin
–> tx with dopamine agonists (bromocriptine, cabergoline)
what does high FSH suggest?
primary ovarian failure
what does high LH or LH:FSH suggest?
PCOS
what 3 conditions can raised testosterone indicate?
PCOS
androgen insensitivity
congenital darnel hyperplasia
why do women with PCOS require a withdrawal bleed every 3-4 months?
to dec risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer
–> Medroxyprogesterone for 14 days, or regular use of COCP
When can you get PMS?
Symptoms are not present before menarche, during pregnancy or after menopause.
The symptoms of PMS resolve once menstruation begins
Symptoms can occur in the absence of menstruation after
- a hysterectomy,
- endometrial ablation
- on the Mirena coil, as the ovaries continue to function and the hormonal cycle continues.
They can also occur in response to the COCP or cyclical hormone replacement therapy containing progesterone, and this is described as progesterone-induced premenstrual disorder.
what do you call PMS when has significant effect on QOL?
premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Management of PMS
Lifestyle
COCP
SSRIs
CBT
COCP - containing drospirenone (i.e. Yasmin) –> antimineralocortioid effects, use continuously
transdermal oestrogen patches (with progesterone (pill or Mirena)
GnRH (induce menopause, osteoporosis risk)/ HRT
hysterectomy + bilateral oophorectomy
danazole and tamoxifen - cyclical breast pain
spironolactone - for breast swelling, water retention and bloating.
why would you arrange an outpatient hysteroscopy for heavy menstrual bleeding?
- Suspected submucosal fibroids
- Suspected endometrial pathology, such as endometrial hyperplasia or cancer
- Persistent intermenstrual bleeding
why would you arrange a pelvic and transvaginal US for heavy menstrual bleeding?
- Possible large fibroids (palpable pelvic mass)
- Possible adenomyosis (associated pelvic pain or tenderness on examination)
- Examination is difficult to interpret (e.g. obesity)
- Hysteroscopy is declined