Primary vs. Secondary Amenorrhea
Primary - no menses by 14 and no secondary sexual characteristics OR no menses by 16 with secondary sexual characteristics
Secondary - previous history of menstruation with no menses for 3 cycles (or 6 months)
Outline the control pathway from the CNS to the uterus
CNS –> Hypothalamus (GnRH) –> Anterior Pituitary (FSH/LH) –> Ovaries (estrogen/progesterone) –> uterus –> menses
*estrogen and progesterone feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary
Important ROS Questions to rule out a hypothalamic cause?
Important things to examine on physical?
Important labs/ tests?
Hyper vs Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Hyper –> ovaries are failing (FSH/LH high, estradiol low)
–> do a karyotype (can have chromosome issue)
Hypo –> CNS failing (FSH/LH low, estradiol low)
*43% of primary amenorrhea is HYPER, 31% is HYPO, 26% is EU (chronic anovulation/ outflow tract issue)
Examples of HYPOgonadotropic Hypogonadism
Examples of EUgonadotropic Eugonadism (causes of bleeding)
- common tests
- elaborate on each and tx
How does a progesterone challenge test work?
What is Mullerian Agenesis (MRKH)?
- Tx?
Tx - vaginal dilators (#1), psych support, fertility counselling, surgical neovagina
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) - the only example of HYPERgonadotropic Hypogonadism
- two diff types and their different causes
Normal Karyotype
–> chemo/radiation, ovarian surgery, gonadal dysgenesis, infectious oophoritis (mumps) fragile X, Addison’s, thyroid, SLE, T1DM, myasthenia gravis (lots of autoimmune causes)
*Fragile X –> CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene, most common inherited cause of low IQ and autism
Abnormal Karyotype
General treatments for:
- HYPOgonadotropic hypogonadism
- HYPERgonadotropic hypogonadism
- EUgonadotropic eupogonadism
HYPO –> get back to weight you had regular cycle with, decrease stress, ovulation induction with gonadotropins (clomiphene citrate, metformin, drilling if pregnant)
HYPER –> psych, hormones until menopause (combo OCPs), pubertal induction, contraception discussions
EU –> thyroid replacement, dopamine agonist for hyperprolactinemia, healthy weight, regular progestin withdrawal for PCOS, ovulation induction if pregnant
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Defintion
Most common causes of hysterectomies?
Overview of the menstrual cycle
Factors that stop bleeds vs. promote bleeds?
Stop
–> progesterone dependent (early)
–> normal coagulation cascade (late)
–> Endothelin-1 and PG-F2a (vasoconstriction)
Promote
–> excess PGE2 and PG12 (vasodilate)
–> excess plasminogen activators (breakdown clot)
–> deficiencies in endometrial repair
*see higher levels of PGE2 and PG12 in women with menorrhagia
Typical length of cycles over time?
Menopause
Length of a menstrual cycle and amount of blood lost
*after ovulation is fixed (13-15d), but beforehand is variable
Definition of an Irregular Cycle
*a signal of oligo/anovulation
Definition of:
- Menorrhagia
- Metrorrhagia
- Menometrorrhagia
PALM-COIEN
Structural –> Polyps, Adenomyosis, Leiomyoma, Malignancy/ hyperplasia
Non-Structural –> Coagulopathy, Ovulatory dysfxn, Iatrogenic, Endometrial, Not yet classified
*always want to exclude pregnancy or cancer!
Drugs that may cause AUB?