Gynaecology Flashcards
(104 cards)
Define primary amenorrhoea
-Not starting menstruation
-By 13 yrs if no other signs of pubertal development
-By 15 years if signs of puberty
Define hypogonadism and give 2 causes ?
-> Lack of sex hormones
-> Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism : deficiency of LH and FSH
-> Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism : lack of response to LH and FSH by the gonads
What can cause hypogonadotropic hypogonadism ?
-Low GnRH -> low FSH & LH -> low oestrogen
-Hypopituitarism
-Damage to hypothalamus or pituitary
-Chronic conditions : CF, IBD
-Excessive exercise or dieting
-Constitutional delay in growth and development
-Endocrine disorders : growth hormone deficiency, hyopothyroid, cushing’s or hyperprolactinaemia
-Kallman syndrome
What is Kallman syndrome
-Genetic condition causing hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
-Causes a failure to start puberty and is associated with reduced or absent sense of smell
What is hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and what can cause it ?
-The gonads failure to respond to LH and FSH.
-There is no negative feedback from oestrogen, meaning the anterior pituitary continues to produce LH and FSH
-Damage to gonads
-Congenital absence of the ovaries
-Turner’s syndrome
Give 5 causes of primary amenorrhoea
-Hypogonadotropic hypongonadism
-Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
-Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
-Androgen insensitivity syndrome
-Structural pathology
What is androgen insensitivity syndrome
-Occurs in someone who is genetically male (XY) but the tissue are unresponsive to androgen hormones
-Causes female phenotype : normal female external genitalia and breast tissue. BUT internally there are testes and an absent uterus, upper vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Give 5 structural pathologies than can cause primary amenorrhoea
-Imperforate hymen
-Transverse vaginal septae
-Vaginal agenesis
-Absent uterus
-Female genital mutilation
Define secondary amenorrhoea
-No menstruation for more than 3 mnths after previous regular menstrual periods
Give 8 causes of secondary amenorrhoea
-Pregnancy
-Menopause & premature ovarian failure
-Hormonal contraception
-Hypothlamic or pituitary pathology
-PCOS
-Asherman’s syndrome
-Thyroid
-Hyperprolactinaemia
Give 4 reasons why the hypothalamus would reduce GnRH production leading to secondary amenorrhoea
-Excessive exercise
-Low body weight and ED
-Chronic disease
-Psychological stress
Give 2 pituitary causes of amenorrhoea
-Pituitary tumours (e.g. prolactinoma)
-Pituitary failure due to trauma, radiotherapy, surgery or sheehan syndrome (postpartum hypopituitarism caused by necrosis of the pituitary gland)
Why does hyperprolactinaemia cause secondary amenorrhoea ?
-High prolactin -> prevents GnRH release from the hypothalamus
-Most common cause = pituitary adenoma. Often galactorrea also present
How is a prolactinoma managed ?
-> CT or MRI
-> Dopamine agonists (e.g. bromocriptine/cabergoline)
What 5 hormone tests are done in secondary amenorrhoea
-HCG -> preganancy
-LH and FSH (high = primary ovarian failure)
-Prolactin -> hyperprolactinaemia (followed by MRI)
-TSH
-Testosterone (raised = PCOS, androgen insensitivity, congenital adrenal hyperplasia)
When and what treatment is given to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in secondary amenorrhoea
-> Vit D and calcium if amenorrhoea lasts >12 mnths
-> HRT or combined oral contraceptive pill due to low oestrogen levels
Go over menorrhagia mindmap
Draw out mindmap
How is menorrhagia managed if no contraception is wanted ?
-> Tranexamic acid (if no associated pain)
-> Mefenamic acid (if associated pain)
How is menorrhagia managed if contraception is wanted ?
-1st : mirena coil
-2nd : combined oral contraceptivepill
-3rd : cyclical oral progestogens
-4th : progesterone only pill or implant
-Finals : endometrial ablation and hysterectomy
What are fibroids and who are they more common in ?
-Oestrogen sensitive tumours of smooth muscle of the uterus (uterine leiomyomas)
-Black women
What are the 4 types of fibroid ?
-Intramural -> within myometrium
-Subserosal -> below outer layer of uterus
-Submucosal -> blow endometrium
-Pedunculated -> on a stalk
If not asymptomatic, how do fibroids present? (6)
- Menorrhagia
- > 7 days menstruation
- Abdo pain, worse on menstruation
- Bloating or feeling full in the abdomen
- Urinary or bowel Sx due to pelvic pressure or fullness
- Deep dyspareunia (pain during sex)
What is the initial investigation for fibroids in menorrhagia ?
-Hysteroscopy
-Pelvic USS may be needed in larger fibroids
How are fibroids of <3cm managed ?
Medical : same as menorrhagia
Surgical : endometrial ablation, resection of fibroids, hysterectomy