COURSE OUTLINE
Review the anatomy and physiology
Gynaecological assessment
Description of various gynaecological
disorders to include:
Menstruation disorders
Abortion
Hydatidiform Mole
Ectopic pregnancy
COURSE OUTLINE CONT…
Endometriosis
Infertility
Fistula and genital prolapse
Disorders of the vulva-pruritus vulvae,
candidiasis, Bartholin’s abscess and cyst,
vulval dystrophies, cancer of the vulva
Diseases of the Vagina; atrophic vaginitis,
cancer of the vagina
COURSE OUTLINE CONT…
Disorders of the cervix: cancer of the
cervix, cervicitis, cervical erosion,
Disorders of the uterus: adenomyosis,
fibromyoma, cancer of the uterus
Ovarian cyst and cancer
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Breast disorders: benign breast
tumours, breast cancer
Polycystic ovary syndrome
COURSE OUTLINE CONT…
UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADINGS
Definition
Types/ classes
Causes/ risk factors
Pathophysiology
Signs and symptoms
Management
Complications
MENSTRUATION DISODERS
Definitions
Amenorrhoea; absence of menstruation
Hypomenorrhoea/oligomenorrhoea=T
his iswhen the period occurs on a
regular basis but is minimal
Menorrhagia; Excessive bleeding in
amount and duration.
Hypermenorrhoea; Excessive bleeding
in amount
DEFINITIONS CONT…
Epimenorrhoea/ polymenorrhoea;
periods occurring in shorter intervals
than usual i.e. shorter than 21 days
Dysmenorrhoea; painful menstruation
Metrorrhagia; irregular genital bleeding.
Also bleeding between periods
Menometrorrhagia;heavy vaginal
bleeding between and during periods,
Causes of physiological
amenorrhoea
Pregnancy
Post menopause
Lactation
Pre-puberty
Causes of pathological
Amenorrhoea
Hormonal causes-dysfunction of ovaries,
pituitary gland, thyroid gland and adrenal gland
Nervous causes-any cause of anxiety e.g.
change of environment, occupation, fear of or
desire for pregnancy (pseudocyesis)
Severe diseases e.g. T.B, anaemia
Causes cont…..
Congenital abnormalities e.g.
imperforate hymen (causes
hematocolpos and hematometra),
uterine agenesis.
Local causes e.g. hysterectomy,
oophorectomy
Drugs e.g. OCPs
Excessive weight loss
TREATMENT
Treat the underlying cause
Psychotherapy to relieve the
tension/stress
Pharmacotherapy:
Clomiphene(clomid)
Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin
(HMG) and Human Chorionic
Gonadotrophin (HCG)
Bromocriptine
DYSMENORRHOEA
Types
Primary or spasmodic dysmenorrhoea-
Has no any underlying pathology
Secondary or congestive dysmenorrhoea
–has pathological causes
Characteristics of primary
dysmenorrhoea
Ussually associated with ovulatory circles.
Usually starts on the first day of bleeding
Common a few years after puberty
Treatment
Analgesics
Assess for stress and reassurance
Adequate nutrition, rest and exercise
Hormones that inhibit ovulation e.g. OCP
Surgery, in the form of pre-sacral neurectomy
Secondary dysmenorrhoea cont…
Characteristics of secondary dysmenorrhoea
Pain may be concentrated in a specific area
Onset usually after 20 yrs.
Begin some days before the on set of bleeding
It is made worse by exercise.
Other symptoms like infertility and dyspareunia
may be present.
Secondary dysmenorrhoea cont…
Treatment
Treat the underlying cause
Administer anti-prostaglandins to relieve
the pain
ABNORMAL UTERINE BLEEDING
Types
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding(non
organic) abnormal uterine bleeding
without any physical sign on
examination.
Organic uterine bleeding-abnormal
bldeeding with an identifiable cause
ORGANIC UTERINE BLEEDING
CAUSES
Adenomyosis
IUD
Systematic diseases e.g. coagulation disorders
Cervical polyps
Ectopic pregnancy
Infection
Trauma
Tumours
MANAGEMENT
-Treat the cause -HB monitoring and manage anemia
-Psychotherapy
DYSFUNCTIONAL UTERINE
BLEEDING
Abnormal bleeding per vaginal with no
identifiable pathology.
Diagnosis-Ruled out the usual causes of
vaginal bleeding through uterine biopsy,
ultrasound, physical exam.
Common at the beginning and end of the
reproductive years
In most cases there is unovulation.
TREATMENT
Combined oestrogen and progesterone
pills for 3-6 cycles
D&C
Surgery
ABORTION
DEFINITION
Termination of pregnancy by the removal
or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or
embryo prior to viability currently before
28 weeks of gestation.
Difference between miscarriage and
abortions?
CLASSIFICATION
Abortions can be classified as follows:
Spontaneous (miscarriage)
Induced
-Therapeutic
-Criminal (illegal)
METHODS OF INDUCING
ABORTIONS
Medical using misoprostol a
prostaglandin analog.
Surgical methods;
Up to 15 weeks' gestation.
-Suction/ vacuum aspiration (MVA) or
electric vacuum aspiration (EVA);
-Dilation and curettage
15th -26
th
weeks
Dilation and evacuation (D&E) consists of
opening the cervix of the uterus and
emptying it using surgical instruments
and suction
CAUSES OF SPONTENEOUS
Most of them are idiopathic
Foetal causes e.g. foetal abnormality
structural or chromosomal, abnormal
attachment of the placenta.
Maternal causes to include:
Diseases like hypertension, malaria,
diabetes, malnutrition
Cervical incompetence
CAUSES C0NT…
Structural abnormalities of the uterus.
Hormonal insufficiency e.g. insufficiency
production of progesterone by the corpus
luteum.
Drugs e.g. oxytocics, cigarette smoking
and alcohol
Trauma
Emotional disturbance
Threatened abortion
Features
Minimal bleeding
Cervix is closed
Uterus is of appropriate size for gestation
Patient may feel some abdominal pain or
mild pain
Management
Bed rest PRN
Give mild sedatives e.g. phenobarbitone
If painful administer analgesics
Assess the amount of blood loss
Monitor the contractions
Reassure the patient
Advice not to have sexual intercourse and any
heavy physical
Advice the patient to take diet high in fibre
Inevitable/ Imminent abortion
Features
Dilated cervix
Strong uterine contractions
Severe bleeding
Products of conception may be felt
through the cervical os.
Management
Analgesics
Evacuation of the uterus-MVA or D&C
Replace blood loss if necessary
<16 weeks evacuation of uterine.>16
weeks give oxytocin 40 units in 1L i.v
fluids at 40 drops/min to expel the
products of conception then evacuate
the uterus.
Incomplete abortion
This abortion in which some products of
conception have passed (usually the fetus)
but some (usually the placental tissue) has
been retained.
Features
Cervix is open
Vaginal bleeding which may be moderate to
severe.
Abdominal pain present
Management
Analgesics
If pregnancy is <16 weeks and bleeding
is light to moderate use fingers or ring (or
sponge) forceps to remove products of
conception protruding from the cervix
If bleeding is heavy and pregnancy is
<16 weeks, evacuate the uterus by:
Manual Vacuum Aspiration.Evacuation by
sharp curettage (D&C) should only be done
if MVA is not available
NB/If evacuation is not immediately possible,
give oxytocin 10 IU IM and arrange for
evacuation as soon as possible
If pregnancy is >16 weeks:
Infuse oxytocin 40 units in 1 L iv fluids
(normal saline or Ringer’s Lactate) at 40
drops per minute until expulsion of products
of conception occurs
If necessary, give misoprostol 200 mcg
vaginally every 4 hours until expulsion, but
do not administer more than 800 mcg
Evacuate any remaining products of
conception from the uterus
Complete abortion
This is an abortion in which all the
products of conception have been
expelled
Features
Pain is absent
Bleeding is slight
Cervix is closing or has closed
Management
Ultra sound to confirm that the cavity is
empty
Advice the patient to report if bleeding
recurs or develops fever
Check HB after 24hrs
Curettage only if bleeding persists
Antibiotics if febrile
Missed abortion
This occurs when the embryo dies but
the gestational sac is retained in the
uterus for several weeks or months.
Feature
Uterus stops growing
Cervix is closed
Brownish vaginal discharge.
Management
Most of them are expelled
spontaneously. Empty the uterus by
curettage if this does not happen.
Give psychological support
Recurrent/ Habitual abortion
This is used to refer to three or more
consecutive spontaneousdeliveries.
Most of these patients will have obvious
causes which include: diabetes,
abnormalities of the uterus and cervical
incompetence.
Septic abortion
This is an abortion accompanied by infection
Clinical features
Fever
Tachycardia
Offensive vaginal discharge
Tenderness in the lower abdomen
General features of abortion.
Management
This is usually an emergency. The
following principles are followed;
-Replace blood lost
-Parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotics
administration. Take a cervical swab for
culture and sensitivity before
administering the antibiotics.
-Evacuation once the patient has
stabilized.
NURSING MX
Monitor urinary output to rule out any renal
interference.
Monitor vital signs-rapid pulse and high
temperature indicates severity of the infection.
Low blood pressure, rapid weak pulse and low
temp indicate shock or impending shock.
Management cont…
High fluid intake to compensate fluid loss due
to fever, bleeding and also to flush the system
off toxins.
Perform vulva toilet four hourly with antiseptic
Administer anti-tetanus vaccine
Position the patient in a propped up position if
not in shock. This helps to localize infection
High protein ,high calorie diet to promote
healing
COMPLICATIONS OF ABORTIONS
Haemorrhage
Sepsis
Perforation of the uterus
Psychological trauma
Renal damage
Amniotic embolism
Anaemia as a result of bleeding and haemolysis of
red blood cells
POST ABORTAL CARE
Emergency treatment of complications
Family planning counseling and services
Access to comprehensive reproductive
health care, including screening and
treatment for STI, RTIs and HIV/AIDS
Community education to improve
reproductive health and reduce the need
for abortion
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
DEFINITION
This is a condition in which the embryo
implants outside the uterine cavity e.g.
tubes (most common site), cervix,
abdominal cavity, ovary also called
extra uterine pregnancy.
TUBAL PREGNANCY
Causes
Previous inflammation in the tube e.g. acute
PID which heals with scarring blocking the
tube
Occlusion by peritoneal adhesions e.g. after
appendicectomy
Endometriosis in the tubes
Congenital anatomical abnormalities of the
tube.
Too long tubes-more than 10cm
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
When the uterus has implanted in the tube, corpus
luteum remains and produces progesterone
which ensures that the endometrium is not shed
off.This causes amenorrhoea.As the embryo
continues to grow in size, it stretchesthe wall of
the uterine tubes causing pain.
Also, the erosionof the tubal wall by
the implantation causes some bleeding
into the peritoneal cavity which also
causes irritation of the peritoneum
resulting in pelvic painand referred
shoulder pain. Since the tubal walls are
not adopted for embryo development,
the tubal pregnancy results to one of the
following:
Acute tubal rupture/ fulminating
This is sudden rupture of the tube.
Characteristics
Sudden onset of lower abdominal pain
Vomiting due to sudden bleeding in to the
peritoneum
Vaginal bleeding-this may be delayed until
some hours later after the rupture.
Pain on moving the cervix with fingers during
vaginal exam
Acute tubal rupture cont…
Patient is in severe pain
Signs and symptoms of shock to include
cold skin, rapid weak pulse, low blood
pressure
Very tender abdomen with muscle
guarding. Signs of free fluid in the
abdomen e.g. fluid thrill and shifting
dullness
Chronic tubal rupture
Characteristics
Lower abdominal pain usually marked on one side.
Amenorrhoea
Irregular vaginal bleeding which may be confused for
threatened abortion.
Nausea and vomiting
Feeling of faintness
Anemia
Tachycardia
Low blood pressure
Tenderness and guarding in the lower abdomen
Diagnosis
Ultrasound
Culdocentesis
Urine testing for HCG
Management
This is an emergency and requires immediate
medical attention.
Start the patient on plasma expanders e.g.
normal saline as you wait for blood.
Take blood for grouping and crossmatching
and start blood transfusion
Administer a strong analgesic
Prepare for an emergency laparatomy where
salpingotomy (making an opening in the tube)
or salpingectomy (excision of the affected
tube)
HYDATIDIFORM MOLE
The chorion degenerates in early
pregnancy and form a mass of vesicles
making the foetus fail to develop
Signs and symptoms
Amenorrhoea followed by:
Vaginal bleeding
Passage of balloon like vesicles in brown
vaginal discharge
Vomiting and headache
Gross ankle oedema, high B.P and protenuria
Larger uterus than expected
Foetal heart sounds and parts not detectable
Pregnancy test strongly positive
classification
Complete –has no sign of embryo and
has very high risk of malignancy
Incomplete-Has some evidence of
embryo and has a lower risk of
malignancy.
MANAGEMENT
Most will be expelled spontenously:
Manage as complete abortion.
Oxytocin
Evacuation-gentle after 5 days
If not expelled:
Evacuate the uterus
Monitor hCG levels-Should be normal within a
week. Review weekly initially then monthly for
an year. This is to rule out metastasis
Complications
Malignant change
Hemorrhage
Sepsis
Pre-eclampsia
Perforation of the uterus
GENITAL PROLAPSE
Definition
This is the downward displacement of
the pelvic organs due to relaxation of the
pelvic support
CYSTOCELE
This is the herniation of the bladder through the
anterior vaginal wall.
Classification
Mild cystocele-the anterior vaginal wall
prolapses to the introitusupon straining
Moderate cystocele-the vaginal wall extends
beyond the introitusupon straining
Severe cystocele-the vaginal wall extends
beyond introitusin the resting state
Features
The patient will complain of vaginal
pressure
A protruding mass on vaginal
examination
Urinary incontinence or incomplete
bladder empting
Management
Conservative management
Insertion of pesseries or tampon in the lower
vagiana which provides temporally support.
Kegel exercises to improve the muscle tone.
Oestrogen administration in post menopausal
women which improves tone and vascularity of
the musculo-fascial support.
Surgical measures
For large cystocele an anterior vagina
coloporrhaphy is done
Preventive measures
Doing kegel exercises during postpartum
to strengthen the pelvic muscles.
Avoid obesity
Treat chronic coughs and constipation
Avoid traumatic deliveries
Oestrogen therapy after menopause.
RECTOCELE
This is herniation of the rectum through the posterior
vaginal wall
Features
Usually asymptomatic
Difficult in evacuating faeces
Sensation of vaginal fullness
Presence of a soft reducible mass in the posterior
vaginal wall.
Management
Posterior colpoerineorrhaphy
Advice the patient to avoid straining activities,
coughing, constipation and vaginal deliveries after the
surgery.
UTERINE PROLAPSE
Classification
1st degree-the cervix is at the mid
portion of the vagina
2nd degree-the cervix is at the introitus
3rd degree-the cervix is behold the
introitus
Features
Sensation of fullness in the vagina
Low backache
Uterus may protrude at the introitus
Bleeding if the cervix become eroded by the
drying effect
Dyspareunia
Leucorrhoea due to uterine engagement
Change in micturation patterns e.g. incomplete
emptying due to bladder displacement by the
uterus.
Management
Medical measures
Vaginal pessaries
Oestrogen therapy post menopause
Treat any underlying cause e.g. reduce weight,
malignancy, cough etc.
Surgical
Vaginal hysterectomy
For 1st and 2nd degrees ,and for women of
reproductive age colporrhaphy and amputation of the
cervix is done. This is referred to as the Manchester
repair
FISTULAE
Definition
A communication between two internal
hallow organs or between an internal
hallow organ and the skin.
Types
VesicoVaginal fistula
RectoVagianl fistula
Causes
Obstructed labour which causes necrosis
due to pressure by the presenting part.
Congenital malformations
Radiotherapy for gynaecological conditions
Disease e.g. tuberculosis and tumours
Surgeries
Features
Dribbling of urine through the vagina for VVF
and faeces and flatus for RVF
Large fistulas can be seen on speculum exam,
small VVF can be seen on cytoscopy
Some patients may complain of lack of sexual
enjoyment
Psychological amenorrhoea
Vulval excoriation
Social isolation
Management
Some recently formed fistulas heal
spontaneously when the bladder is drained
continuously (VVF) for about 21-28 days and
also low residue diet given for the same period
(RVF)
The fresh fistula requiring surgery should be
repaired at once while fistulas noticed several
days after injury should be repaired after 2-3
months in order to allow the local damage and
infection to settle
Preoperative care
Enema on the morning of operation
Sterilize the gut with Cabbracol 500mgs BD for
five days before RVF repair
Antibiotics for a few days before RVF repair
Blood for HB
Examination under anaesthesia to note the
type
High protein and vitamin diet to promote
healing and fitness for the operation.
Psychological support
Postoperatively
Ensure continuous drainage of the
bladder for 10-14 days
Analgesics to relieve the discomfort
Antibiotics to prevent infections
High protein and vitamin diet which is
low residue
Ensure perineal hygiene through
perineal irrigation and douching
Liquid paraffin for RVF to avoid
constipation
INFERTILITY
Definition
This is the apparent inability to achieve
conception for one year of normal
intercourse.
TYPES
Primary infertility
Secondary infertility
General factors affecting fertility
Age
Nutrition
Health
Drugs
Psychological factors e.g. anxiety
Ignorance of coitus and some cases
excessive coitus
Female factors affecting fertility
Structural abnormalities e.g. Mullerian agenesis
Tubal blockage
Endocrine disoders
Uterine fibroids
Cervical hostility where the cervical mucus is
hostile to spermatozoa
Cervical incompetence which leads to secondary
infertility due to abortions
Endometriosis
Male factors affecting fertility
Structural abnormalities e.g.
hypospadias, undescended testes
Impotence
Oligospermia and azoospermia
TREATMENT OF INFERTILITY
Thorough assessment in order to
identify the cause and treat
Emphasize to the couple if no
abnormality if found that pregnancy is
possible even after many years.
Assisted reproduction-In vitro
fertilization, Artificial insemination
TREATMENT OF INFERTILITY
Counsel the clients on general measures to
include
1.Good diet and exercise
2.Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine
and tobacco.
3.Avoid excessive coitus
4.Have adequate sleep
5.Advice on weight loss if obese
6.Avoid excessive or prolonged exposure of the
scrotum to heat e.g. hot bath, tight underwear or
prolonged sitting in hot environment
PELVIC INFLAMMATORY
DISEASE
Definition:
Its infection of the upper genital tract-uterus,
fallopian tubes and the ovaries.
Causative micro-organisms
Gonococci
Staphylococci
Streptococci
Tubercle bacilli
E. coli
Sources
Through blood spread e.g. Tuberculosis
Direct spread e.g. from the endometrium
to the fallopian tubes
Via lymph
Ascending infection from lower genital
tract
Introduction by contaminated
instruments e.g. during abortions and
pelvic operations
Clinical features
General signs of infection e.g. fever,
malaise, vomiting, anorexia
Lower abdominal pains
Purulent vaginal discharge
Vaginal bleeding may be present
Management
Antibiotics
Avoid intercourse, douches as this may worsen
the infection process
Position in semi fowlers to enhance downward
drainage
Analgesics
Document the amount, type, odor etc. of the
vaginal discharge
Maintain perineal hygiene by sitzs baths and
cleaning of the perineum frequently.
MANAGEMENT CONT..
Surgery to drain abscesses in acute cases and
for removal of pelvic organs in chronic cases if
treatment is unsuccessful
Psychological support to the client since PID
may be caused by STI, there may be guilt
feelings
Health information provision on hygiene and
how to prevent a recurrence.
Balanced nutrition high in fluid and proteins
Adequate rest and exercise
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Def;
Is an abnormal condition in which the
endometrial tissue is located in other tissues.
Pathophysiology
Despite the location, the Ectopic endometrial
tissue responds to hormonal changes hence
there is cyclic bleeding in the affected organs
.This causes inflammation and scarring
resulting in adhesions formation.
Clinical features
This relates to the location
General features include
-pain that begins just before menstruation,
lasting during menstruation and some times
for a few days after
-dyspareunia
-menstrual irregularities
-infertility
-cyclic bleeding from the rectum/ hematuria etc.
Diagnosis
History of cyclic bleeding e.g. from the
rectum, scar
Pelvic examination
Laparoscopy
Management
Analgesics
Hormonal therapy e.g. contraceptive
pills, danazol
Surgical management-removal of the
Ectopic endometrial tissue. More radical
surgery involving removal of the uterus
and the ovaries.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Involves disruption of the menstrual
cycle and a tendency to have high
levels of male hormones(androgens)
that is causes by increased production of
luteinizinghormone.
It gets its name from the many fluid-filled
sacs (cysts) that often develop in the
ovaries, causing them to enlarge.
Symptoms
Develop during puberty and worsen with time.
Symptoms vary from woman to woman.
Primary Amenorrhoea
Irregular vaginal bleeding
Unovulating.
Masculinization or virilization. Symptoms
include acne, a deepened voice, a decrease in
breast size, and an increase in muscle size
and in body hair (hirsutism).
Most are obese.
Diagnosis
Is based on symptoms.
Blood tests to measure levels of hormones
such as follicle-stimulating hormone and
male hormones are done.
Ultrasonography is done to see whether
the ovaries contain many cysts and to
check for a tumor in an ovary or adrenal
gland.
Treatment
Exercise
Decrease carbohydrate intake
Metformin
Clomiphene
Other fertility drugs if above fails
Remove unwanted hair
OCP for those who don’t want
pregnancy.