Barbora Kubesova Disorders of the menstrual cycle
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding Bleeding at an unexpected time Not bleeding often enough Bleeding too often Bleeding in an unexpected amount Too little or too much Causes Hormonal Anatomical (patholo
Normal Menstrual Flow Interval days 28 day cycle women aged Duration 3-7 days Amount 30-60cc More than 80 cc excessive
Median Menstrual Index Menstrual Index Menarche/ cycle length/ flow duration Median of czech women 10 (years of age)/ 28 (days)/ 5 (days in length)
Basic Facts Ovarian Cycle Follicular phase (varies) Luteal phase (14 days) Endometrium cycle Menstruation Proliferation Secretory
Physiology of the menstrual cycle Coordinated hormonal control of the endometrium leading to pregnancy or regular shedding /periods/ HPO axis – hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarium peptide hormones H-P direct ovary to produce steroid hormones – control the endometrium Complex process Average age of menarché -13, menopause 52 LMP – day 1 of bleeding
Secondary amenorhoe - causes Secondary Amenorrhea Previously normal menstrual cycles Absence of menses for 6 months Or for a length of time = 3 previous cycles Multiple causes Hormonal Anatomical
Secondary amenorhoe - causes Secondary Amenorrhea Common non-pathological causes Pregnancy Lactation Hormonal contraception Menopause Always rule out pregnancy
Secondary Amenorrhea Recent Surgery Assess Anatomic Anomalies Asherman’s syndrome Destruction of endometrium Surgery, pregnancy, Infection No cramps Cervical stenosis History of cervical surgery
Secondary Amenorrhea Hypothalamic Dysfunction FSH/LH Decreased or Normal Anorexia nervosa Excessive exercise Stress Hypothalamic lesion Drugs/medications
Secondary Amenorrhea Pituitary Dysfunction FSH/LH Pituitary dysfunction often result of prolactin Hyperprolactinemia Hypothyroid TRH elevated prolactin Drugs (CNS) Pituitary adenoma Pituitary anatomical pathology rare Sheheen’s syndrome
Overt Hyperprolactinemia Galactorrhea Prolactin FSH/LH Multiple duct, milky nipple discharge Cause Increased prolactin Etiology Physiologic Excessive breast manipulation Pharmacologic –Phenothiazines, Antihypertensive,Antidepressants, Amphetamines Oral contraceptives Marijuana
Secondary Amenorrhea Ovarian Dysfunction FSH/LH Premature ovarian failure 40 years or less Post irradiation or chemotherapy Polycystic ovarian syndrome common cause Polycystic Appearing Ovary
Evaluation of Secondary Amenorrhea History Menstrual history Contraception Pregnancy Surgeries Medications Weight changes Chronic diseases
Evaluation of Secondary Amenorrhea Social History Drug abuse Stress Diet Sexual activity
Evaluation of Secondary Amenorrhea Family History Thyroid Type II diabetes Cancer Mother’s age at menopause
Evaluation of Secondary Amenorrhea Physical Examination BMI Hair distribution Skin Thyroid Breasts Discharge? Abdomen Masses? Tenderness?
Diagnostic Strategies for Secondary Amenorrhea Rule out: Pregnancy Hormonal contraception Rule out: Medications Include social substance use and complimentary therapies
Diagnostic Strategies for SecondaryAmenorrhea Rule out: Anorexia-bulimia-athlete Determine BMI Exercise/diet patterns Rule out: Obvious anatomical causes Pelvic examination
Diagnostic Strategies for Secondary Amenorrhea Consider: 1. TSH 2. Prolactin Determine: “Can she make estrogen now?” Normal pelvic exam? Perform progesterone challenge MPA mg 5-10 days If she bleeds polycystic ovarian syndrome
No bleeding after progesterone challenge: Obtain FSH Elevated FSH: Ovarian failure Order TSH, ANA Normal FSH: Anatomical problems? eassess history of recent surgery
No bleeding after progesterone challenge: Low FSH Pituitary problems Hypothalamic problems Order TSH and prolactin CNS symptoms or prolactin Referral for CT or MRI Reassess anorexia, bulimia, low body fat Reassess medications or breast stimulation
No bleeding after progesterone challenge: Low FSH and Galactorrhea Assess discharge Spontaneous milky Unilateral or bilateral No associated mass Irregular menses S/S of pituitary tumor Headaches Visual changes Symptoms of underlying condition
No bleeding after progesterone challenge: Low FSH and Galactorrhea Diagnostic Tests Serum prolactin MRI Prolactin level hogher100 TSH Other tests per underlying conditions
No bleeding after progesterone challenge: Low FSH and Galactorrhea Diagnostic Tests Serum prolactin CAT or MRI Prolactin level higher than100 TSH Other tests for underlying conditions
No bleeding after progesterone challenge: Normal FSH Consider anatomical problems History of recent surgery? Administer package of OCPs or estradiol followed by MPA No bleeding? Asherman’s syndrome Cervical stenosis
Treatment for Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Diet, exercise, stress management Medication change Osteoporosis Assessment Treatment Consider oral contraceptive pills Counseling referral
Treatment for Galactorrhea Precipitating factors Discontinue when identified Eliminate drugs when reasonable Treat underlying causes Hypothyroidism Bromocriptine or other dopamine agonist If normal prolactin and regular menses May manage expectantly Periodic prolactin levels
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Treatment Combined OCP Regulate menses Prevent endometrial hyperplasia Treat acne Cosmetic therapy Acne Hirsutism
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding Developmental Classifications Childhood Adolescence Reproductive Perimenopause Menopause
Abnormal Bleeding in Adolescent Dysfunctional uterine Bleeding Irregular ovulation Diagnosis of exclusion Hormonal contraception Vulvovaginal
Abnormal Bleeding in Perimenopause Dysfunctional uterine Bleeding Diagnosis of exclusion Benign neoplasms Endometrial polyps Degenerating submucosal fibroids Endometrial cancer Endometrial polyps
Abnormal Bleeding in Perimenopause Exogenous hormone (HRT/ERT) Bleeding from other organs Urethra, bladder, bowel Vulvovaginal atrophy Trauma Infection
Abnormal Bleeding in Menopause Cancer until proven otherwise Atrophic changes Bleeding from other organs Urethra Bladder Bowel
Menorrhagia Prolonged excessive bleeding at regular intervals >7 days of bleeding and/or >80 ml of uterine bleeding Regular, predictable, cyclic, cramp
Causes of Menorrhagia Fibroids Adenomyosis Prostaglandin imbalance Non-hormonal IUD Clotting disorders Submucosal
Metrorrhagia Bleeding at irregular, but frequent intervals Amount is variable Unpredictable, often painless Irregular, irregularity
Causes of Metrorrhagia Dysfunctional uterine bleeding Polycystic ovarian syndrome Endometrial cancer Progesterone contraceptive
Menometrorrhagia Prolonged bleeding occurring at irregular intervals both between and during menses Caused by combinations of above pathologies
Intermenstrual Bleeding Bleeding of variable amounts between menstrual periods Causes Combined hormonalcontraceptives Progesterone contraception HRT Endometritis Chlamydias
Postcoital Bleeding Bleeding following coitus or cervical manipulation Cervicitis Trichomonas Gonorrhea Chlamydia Herpes Cervical cancer Cervical polyp
Polymenorrhea Uterine bleeding occurring at regular intervals less than 21 days Causes: Short follicular phase Inadequate luteal phase Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Oligomenorrhea Infrequent uterine bleeding with menstrual intervals greater than 35 days Causes: Menopause Adolescence OCP manipulation Hypothalamic dysfunction Chronic illness Polycstic ovary
Hypomenorrhea Unusually light flow at regular intervals Causes Oral contraceptive pills Hormonal contraception
Gynecological Etiologies of Abnormal Bleeding Vulva/vaginal Trauma Infection Atrophy Cancer
Gynecological Etiologies of Abnormal Bleeding Cervix Infection Polyps Cancer
Gynecological Etiologies of Abnormal Bleeding Uterus Infection Hyperplasia Cancer Endometrial polyps Leiomyomas Adenomyosis
Gynecological Etiologies of Abnormal Bleeding Ovaries Cancer Functional cysts
Management of Abnormal Bleeding
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding Hormonal contraception Cyclic progestin Treat anemia NSAIDs May need estrogen to build endometrium Refer for surgery/ablation ALWAYS rule out endometrial cancer in perimenopausal woman
Leiomyomas Classification of Leiomyomas Interstitial or intramural Within uterine wall Submucosal Protrude into uterus Subserosal Protrude through outer uterine wall Pedunculated Pedicle attached to uterus
Leiomyomas Firm, irregular, non-tender uterus May palpate firm mass Ultrasound Treat symptoms If no improvement May refer for surgery GnRH agonists prior to shrink fibroids
Adenomyosis Multiparous women Over age 30 Menorrhagia Dysmenorrhea Smooth tender uterus More pain during menses Treat symptoms Tricycle OCPS Refer for surgery
Diagnostic Strategies for Abnormal Bleeding Pelvic Start from the external genitals and work your way in for causes of abnormal bleeding
Laboratory Strategies forAbnormal Bleeding Depend on presentation Sensitive pregnancy test Ultrasound Pap smear Cultures for GC/CT CBC, PT/PTT Menopausal women Endometrial biopsy
Primary Dysmenorrhea Etiology No pelvic pathology Prostaglandin induced cramping Treatment NSAIDS Contraception that inhibits ovulation Combined oral contraceptive pills Depo-Provera
Causes of Secondary Dysmenorrhea Non-progesterone IUD Endometriosis Pelvic inflammatory disease Cervical stenosis Degenerating fibroids
PMS What is PMS? Affects 30-40% of women of childbearing age Symptoms occur in luteal phase Symptoms of PMS Over 150 documented Relieved when menses occurs Present for at least 3 consecutive cycles
PMS Who Gets PMS? anyone who is menstruating i.e. from puberty to menopause Most common risk factors for PMS: 30 + years old Experiencing emotional stress Difficulty maintaining stable weight History depression/anxiety Other family members experience PMS
PMS Common PMS Symptoms Mood swings Irritability Anxiety Depression Weight gain Headaches Joint and muscle aches
PMS Common PMS Symptoms Backaches Changes in sex drive Food cravings Water retention
PMS Criteria for PMS Symptoms Occur in the luteal phase of cycle Increase in severity as cycle progresses Resolve with start of menses or shortlyafterwards Are present for at least 3 consecutive cycles Does NOT have to meet minimum of 5symptoms like PMDD
PMS Causes of PMS No one exact cause has been proven Too much estrogen? Too little progesterone? Too little Vitamin B6? Too little serotonin? Too much prolactin? Change in glucose metabolism?
PMS Treatments NSAIDs may improve dysmenorrhea Exercise and diet Calcium effective in a few trials (1500 mg/day) Serotonin uptake release inhibitors Prozac (fluoxitine) or Xanax Effective in repeated clinical trials Other antidepressants are not effective Low-dose potassium sparing diuretic Sprinolactone
PMS Diagnosis of PMS No blood test is diagnostic PMS diary or chart for 3 months. Listen to the woman Rule out other diagnoses