Menstrual and Uterine Disorders - Exam 3 Flashcards
(193 cards)
What 3 things do we need to have to have normal menses?
- intact HPO axis
- endometrium responsive to hormonal stimulation
- intact outflow tract form internal to external genitalia
What is considered primary amenorrhea?
By age 13 (if sexual development also impaired)
By age 15 (if normal sexual development)
What are the top 2 main causes of primary amenorrhea?
50%: Abnormal chromosomes that leads to gonadal dysgenesis
20%: Hypothalamic hypogonadism-> disruption of the HPO axis
What are 2 causes of abnormal chromosomes that cause primary amenorrhea?
Ovarian insufficiency due to premature depletion of oocytes
and
Turner syndrome (45,X) is one of the most common causes
What are some causes that can disrupt the HPO axis leading to primary amenorrhea?
excessive exercise, psychological stress, eating disorders
What is considered secondary amenorrhea? What is the MC cause? What is the other highlighted common cause?
Absence of menses for >3 cycles or 6 consecutive months in a previously menstruating pt
pregnancy
PCOS
What is the relationship between primary and secondary amenorrhea causes?
everything that causes secondary amenorrhea can also cause primary amenorrhea!
What are 4 causes of Hypothalamic-Pituitary Dysfunction?
GnRH deficiency
Pituitary dysfunction
surgical destruction
infiltrative disease
**_______ is postpartum pituitary necrosis due to hypovolemia
Sheehan’s syndrome
What are the broad causes of amenorrhea? both primary and secondary
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Dysfunction
ovarian causes
anatomic causes
What are the 3 different options for ovarian failure. Give a brief description of each
Primary - directly due to ovaries
Secondary - due to hypothalamic or pituitary disease
Premature - onset of menopause in women <40 y/o
What is mullerian dysgenesis? What does it lead to?
congenital absence of the uterus
and upper ⅔ of the vagina
amenorrhea due to anatomic causes
What will a pt with mullerian dysgenesis present like?
amenorrhea but may ovulate and have normal sex characteristics
after complete pelvic exam, will notice congenital absence of uterus and upper 2/3 of vagina
What is Asherman’s syndrome? What are they commonly due from? What does it result in?
uterine synechiae (adhesions)
Often due to dilation and curettage
amenorrhea
What is this picture illustrating?
Asherman’s Syndrome
What should be included in the w/u of a pt with primary amenorrhea who HAS secondary sex characteristics?
good PE to verify normal vaginal and uterine structures
then check karyotype
check outflow from cervix to vaginal introitus
pregnancy test
primary amenorrhea with secondary sex characteristics, are their ovaries producing estrogen?
yes, ovaries are producing estrogen
What should be included in the w/u of a pt with primary amenorrhea who DOES NOT HAVE secondary sex characteristics?
good PE to check anatomy
prolactin and TSH
LH and FSH
primary amenorrhea without sex characteristics, their LH and FSH are low, what are the possible causes? What should you order next?
hypothalamic/pituitary disease, stress, low weight/malnutrition
MRI of the brain
primary amenorrhea without sex characteristics, their LH and FSH are high, what are the possible causes? What should you order next?
ovarian failure
check karyotype
In primary amenorrhea without sex characteristics, are the ovaries producing estrogen?
NO! ovaries are not producing estrogen
What should be included in the w/o of a pt with secondary amenorrhea?
good PE +/- imaging
PREGNANCY TEST
TSH and prolactin
progesterone challenge test
estrogen and progesterone challenge test
FSH and LH
secondary amenorrhea, and TSH is abnormal = ______. abnormal prolactin = ______
abnormal TSH → thyroid disease
abnormal prolactin → pituitary imaging
What is the progesterone challenge test? What are the 2 options of results? When would you use this test?
give pt oral progesterone for a few days and see if bleeding occurs
bleeding occurs: endometrium is intact but progesterone is lacking
anovulation: no production of progesterone by CL
working up a pt for secondary amenorrhea