Obs & Gynae Flashcards
(192 cards)
Menopause definition
Absence of menses for 12 months without another reason for amenorrhoea (pregnancy, hormone therapy, medical condition)
Menopause symptoms
Amenorrhoea Irregular menstrual cycle Hot flushes Night sweats Vaginal symptoms (dryness, itching, dyspareunia) Mood changes Sleep disturbance Mild memory impairment Heavy menstrual bleeding
Premature menopause definition
Menopause before age 40
Premature menopause causes
Spontaneous Idiopathic Surgery (e.g. bilateral oophorectomy) Radiation of the pelvis Chemotherapy Autoimmune disease Fragile x syndrome
Premature ovarian insufficiency definition
Amenorrhoea, hypo-oestrogenic status and elevated gonadotrophins due to decline in ovarian function before the age of 40
Perimenopause definition
The transition from cyclic menstrual bleeding to a total cessation of menses which may occur over several years; marked by menstrual irregularity and periods of amenorrhoea due to declining progesterone and oestradiol levels
(Premature) Menopause investigations
Pregnancy test (negative) FSH (>30) Serum estradiol (<110)
Menopause management: mild vasomotor symptoms
Lifestyle changes - weight loss; exercise; avoid alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, warm environments, stress.
Menopause management: moderate/severe vasomotor symptoms +/- reduced libido
Menopausal, with a uterus: continuous combined regimen
Menopausal, without a uterus: oestrogen
Perimenopausal: sequential regime (oestrogen + cyclical progestin)
SSRIs (paroxetine), gabapentin or clonidine may also improve vasomotor symptoms
Menopause management: urogenital atrophy only
Vaginal oestrogen
Vaginal moisturiser
Oral ospemifene (selective oestrogen receptor modulator)
Menopause management: reduced libido only
Combination oestrogen-androgen
Menopause management: urinary stress incontinence only
Pelvic floor rehabilitation
HRT complications
Vaginal bleeding (common within first 6 months of oestrogen-progestogen)
Breast tenderness
VTE and stroke (transdermal has lower risk than oral)
Oestrogen (combination therapy only)
Premature menopause management
Continuous combined HRT
Counselling and support
If pregnancy is desired: donor oocyte and embryo transfer
Premature menopause complications
Osteoporosis
Cardiovascular disease
Barrier contraceptive options
Diaphragm and cervical cap - initially fitted by clinicians, must be filled and coated with spermicide before intercourse
Male condom
Female condom
Diaphragm: adverse effects/disadvantages
Skin irritation
Spermicide may increase HIV transmission risk
Increased risk of UTIs
Cervical cap: adverse effects/disadvantages
Skin irritation
Spermicide may increase HIV transmission risk
Condoms: adverse effects/disadvantages
Friction/noise (female) Latex allergy (male) Slippage/breakage (female>male) Loss of sensation Inconvenience
Behavioural contraceptive options
Lactational amenorrhoea (breast feeding 4-hourly during the day and 6-hourly at night; until first menstrual period/6 months postnatal/infant nursing less often) Periodic abstinence (5 days before ovulation to 2 days after: charting menstrual cycles; checking cervical mucus, urinary hormone levels, basal body temperature) Withdrawal
Hormonal contraceptive options
Combined oestrogen/progestogen contraception
-pills (3 weeks + 1 placebo week)
-patch (1/week for 3 weeks, one week off, repeat)
-vaginal ring (insert for 3 weeks, take out for 1, then new ring and repeat)
Progestogen-only contraception
-pill (24 active tablets, 4 inactive tablets)
-injection (LARC - 8 weeks)
-implant (LARC - 3 years)
-IUS (LARC - 3-6 years)
Absolute contraindications to oestrogen-containing contraceptives
Migraine with aura Smoking (if age >35 and >15/day) Hx of ischaemic heart disease Stroke Severe cirrhosis/liver tumour Major surgery with prolonged immobilisation (stop oestrogen 4-6 weeks before) Hx of DVT Hypertension (>160/100) Postnatal (<21 days) Breast cancer within past 5 years
Relative contraindications to oestrogen-containing contraceptives
Smoking (age >35 and <15 cigarettes/day)
Concurrent treatment with hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs
Hypertension (140/90 - 159/99)
Hx of breast cancer (>5 years ago)
COC side effects
Irregular bleeding (all) Nausea (pill, patch) Headaches (pill, patch) Breast tenderness (pill, ring) Skin irritation (patch) Increased vaginal discharge (ring) Low abdominal pain (ring)