Menstrual problems Flashcards
(72 cards)
What is the normal age of menarche to menopause?
13-51 years old
What is the normal length of a menstrual cycle?
Between 21-35 days
What triggers menstruation?
Menstruation is triggered by fall in progesterone 2 weeks after ovulation if not pregnant
Mean blood loos in menstruation?
30-40ml
What is menorrhagia?
Heavy periods (>80ml/cycle)
What is dysmenorrhoea?
Painful periods
What is inter-menstrual bleeding (IMB)?
Bleeding between periods
What is postcoital bleeding (PCB)?
Bleeding after intercourse
What is oligomenorrhoea?
Infrequent periods eg /45-90
20% of gynaecology outpatient referrals
Menstrual problems - history?
> Subjective – patient’s perception
> Clots / flooding / pads+ tampons
> Pain (with heavy flow or premenstrual)
> Ask about effect of symptoms on lifestyle and quality of life
Menstrual problems - Examination?
> General
Abdominal
Speculum
Bimanual
If a patient presented with heavy periods what would you want to investigate?
> Full blood count
Thyroid function
Coagulation
Endometrial biopsy (Over 45/persistant IMB/ Obesity)
If a patient presented with intermenstrual (IMB) bleeding what would you want to investigate?
> Test for chlamydia
Persistant endometrial biopsy
Hysteroscopy
If a patient presented with Post coital bleeding (PCB) what would you want to investigate?
Test for chlamydia
Investigations when issues with menstruation?
> Full blood count > Thyroid function > Coagulation > Endometrial biopsy > STD testing (Chlamydia) > Pregnancy test > Transvaginal US > Hysteroscopy
In terms on menstruation when would you want to perform hysterocopy?
> Persistant IMB
> Suspected endometrial pathology on US
Within early teens if there are issues with menstruation what are the most likely causes?
> Anovulatory cycles
Coagulation problems
Always consider pregnancy and look at the cervix
Within teens-40 if there are issues with menstruation what are the most likely causes?
> Chlamydia > Contraception related > Endometriosis / adenomyosis > Fibroids > Endometrial or cervical polyps > Dysfunctional bleeding
Always consider pregnancy and look at the cervix
Within 40-menopause if there are issues with menstruation what are the most likely causes?
> Perimenopausal anovulation
Endometrial cancer
Warfarin
Thyroid dysfunction
Always consider pregnancy and look at the cervix
What is the FIGO classification of abnormal uterine bleeding?
PALM-COEIN: P- polyp A- adenomyosis L- leiomyoma M- malignancy/hyperplasia C- coagulation eg von willebrand’s disease O- ovarian eg polycystic ovaries / anovulatory cycles E – endocrine eg thyroid I- iatrogenic eg warfarin N- not yet classified
What is Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)?
Abnormal bleeding but no structural / endocrine /neoplastic / infectious cause found for (yet)
What are 50% of hysterectomies for menorrhagia for?
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)
What is endometriosis?
Endometrial type tissue outside the uterine cavity
What makes endometriosis?
Oestrogen