Microcytic anaemia is characterised by low haemoglobin and low mean corpuscular volume. Causes of microcytic anaemia Disorder MCV Iron TIBC Ferritin RDW Hepcidin Iron deficiency anaemia Very Low Low High Low Wide Normal Anemia of chronic disease Normal/Low Low Low…
Anaemia is defined as a decrease in red cell mass as evidenced by a haemoglobin concentration below the reference range for a given age or sex in a given population or geographic location. A haemoglobin concentration of <13g/dL in adult…
Pelvic inflammatory disease is a subacute or chronic infection of the upper female reproductive tract and/or peritoneum. The most common causative organisms are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but most cases are polymicrobial, involving anaerobes. Clinical criteria for diagnosis Additional criteria may include oral temperature >…
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) or Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a genetic, hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive condition that commonly affects women of reproductive age. It is characterised by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. The Rotterdam criteria for the diagnosis…
Fibroids are benign smooth muscle neoplasms arising from myometrial cells. They are oestrogen and progesterone–sensitive, with an average growth rate of 0.5 cm They peak between 40 and 50 years of age. Fibroid degeneration Type of Degeneration Description Hyaline degeneration (most common, ~60%)…
Endometrial cancer is an epithelial malignancy of the uterine corpus mucosa. 90% are adenocarcinomas. It is characterised by abnormal uterine bleeding, particularly post-menopausal bleeding. It peaks between 60 and 70 years. Types of endometrial cancer Type I Type II Unopposed estrogen Present Absent Estrogen…
Endometrial hyperplasia is the proliferation and thickening of the endometrium. It is usually considered in post-menopausal women with an endometrial stripe measuring > 5 mm thick with post-menopausal bleeding, and > 10 mmthick without. Normal endometrial thickness variations during the menstrual cycle Phase Endometrial…
Adenomyosis is uterine enlargement due to focal or diffuse ectopic rests of endometrial tissue within the myometrium. It is most likely due to direct invasion of the endometrium into the myometrium. It is characterised by abnormal uterine bleeding and secondary dysmenorrhea. It peaks between 40 and…
Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the endometrial cavity. It presents with cyclical pelvic pain and severe dysmenorrhoea since it is oestrogen and progesterone-sensitive.