Gynecology Assessment Quiz

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

• Affects women during reproductive years
• Characterized by behavioral, emotional, and physical symptoms
• Occurs during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle
• Symptoms typically resolve within a few days after menstruation begins
• Over 100 symptoms have been reported
• Not caused by underlying physical or mental conditions
• Symptoms include: angry outbursts, anxiety, confusion, depression, irritability, social withdrawal, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, headache, joint pain, swelling of extremities, weight gain.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

• Most severe form of PMS
• Characterized by emotional symptoms that are severe and disabling
• Symptoms include: abdominal bloating, anxiety, breast tenderness, crying, depression, fatigue, lack of energy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes, and thirst and swelling of the extremities
• Requires professional help and support
• Treatment options include lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, psychotherapy, herbal and complementary therapies, and pharmacological treatments such as SSRIs, combined OCP, GnRH analogues, or Danazol.

Menopause

• Phases include premenopause, perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause
• Premenopause: beginning of perimenopause until the last menstrual period
• Perimenopause: time period before menopause
• Menopause: one year without menstruation
• Postmenopause: time after menopause
• Physical changes: uterine lining thins, uterine muscle atrophies, fallopian tubes and ovaries atrophy, vaginal mucosa loses elasticity, decreased cervical gland function, pubic hair thins and grays, labia shrinks, loss of pelvic tone, breasts lose density and become pendulous, and vasomotor symptoms
• Symptoms include hormonal changes, menstrual cycle changes, hot flushes and night sweats, sleep disturbances, vaginal changes, genitourinary tract changes, skin and hair changes, breast changes, and cognitive function changes
• Cognitive function changes can be emotional instability and decreased memory

Breast Health

• Breast tissue consists of glandular tissue, lobules, alveoli clusters, ducts, fibrous and adipose tissue

Benign Breast Masses

• Risk factors: age (30-50s)
• Types include cysts, fibrocystic changes, fibroadenomas, lipoma
• Usually diagnosed by physical exam or imaging
• Noncancerous lesions

Breast Cancer

• Risk factors: genetics, demographics, personal health history, lifestyle choices
• Most women with breast cancer have no known risk factors
• Symptoms include: new lump, thickening, irritation, redness, flaky skin, nipple pulling in, discharge, size/shape changes, pain (mastalgia)
• Screening: mammograms and self-exams, age 40-75 annual mammograms

Common Gynecological Disorders

• Amenorrhea: lack of menstruation
• Dysmenorrhea: painful menstruation
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Candidiasis: yeast infection
• Toxic shock syndrome

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• Risk factors: female, extremes of age, altered immunity, anatomical anomalies, diabetes, urinary tract obstruction, pregnancy
• Symptoms: dysuria, urinary frequency, bladder fullness, suprapubic tenderness, cloudy/foul smelling urine and lower back pain

Endometriosis

• Endometrial tissue grows outside the uterine cavity
• Causes unknown, possibly retrograde menstruation
• Risk factors: early age at menarche, short cycles, low birth weight, nulliparity, heavy prolonged periods
• Symptoms: pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysuria, diarrhea

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

• Usually painless prolonged, excessive uterine bleeding not attributed to underlying conditions.
• Can result from structural, or nonstructural causes such as coagulopathy, ovulatory dysfunction, endometrial disorders
• Treated to normalize bleeding, correct anemia, and restore quality of life.

Cervical Cancer

• Malignant neoplasm forming in the cervix
• Usually asymptomatic in early stages
• Risk factors: HPV infection, smoking, immunosuppression
• Early detection is important for timely intervention

Ovarian Cancer

• 5th most common cause of cancer in women
• Leading cause of gynecological deaths
• Cause is unknown
• Has no effective screening test
• Symptoms are typically vague until advanced
• Diagnosed by pelvic exam, endometrial biopsy, fractional curettage, hysteroscopy, and transvaginal ultrasound along with hormonal and other tests

STIs

• Sexually transmitted infections and diseases
• Often asymptomatic at initial phases of infection

Trichomoniasis

• Caused by a parasite
• Transmission: sexual contact
• Symptoms: foul-smelling vaginal discharge, itching, burning, redness
• Diagnosis: microscopic examination of vaginal discharge

Pediculosis Pubis

• Caused by lice
• Transmission: close physical contact
• Symptoms: itching, small bumps
• Diagnosis: visual inspection and microscopic confirmation

Scabies

• Caused by mites
• Transmission: direct contact
• Symptoms: intense itching, rash
• Diagnosis: skin examination and visual confirmation

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

• Transmitted through skin-to-skin contact
• Some strains can cause genital warts, others increase cancer risk
• Majority asymptomatic
• Diagnosed with pap tests, visualization, and biopsy

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

• Viral infection transmitted through skin-to-skin contact
• Recurring lesions
• Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, painful sores, or blisters
• Diagnosed with physical exams and lab results

Syphilis

• Bacterial infection spread through direct contact
• Stages: primary, secondary, latent, tertiary
• Diagnosis: physical exam including lesion evaluation and lab tests (serological testing)
• Treatment: antibiotics

HIV/AIDS

• Bloodborne infection
• Transmission: blood, sexual contact, and mother-to-child
• Treatment: antiretroviral therapy (highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)

Hepatitis

• Viral infection of the liver
• Transmission: blood, body fluids
• Can lead to: liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver failure
• Diagnosis: blood tests

Fetal Period

• 9-12 weeks: recognizable face, rapid body growth
• 13-16 weeks: skeletal ossification, clearly visible bones.
• 17-20weeks: increased fetal movement, vernix caseosa
• 21-25weeks: lungs develop ability to breathe outside uterus. Increases fat layer.
• 26-29weeks:lungs mature. Reflexes develop.
• 30-34 weeks: ability to control body temperature
• 35-40 weeks: lungs fully developed and ready to breathe.