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Flashcards in Reproductive treatments Deck (74)
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1
Q

How do we treat primary hypogonadism?

A

Difficult to treat

2
Q

How do we treat secondary hypogonadism?

A

Treat with Gonadotrophins (ie LH and FSH) to induce Spermatogenesis

3
Q

How does LH help with sperm induction?

A

LH stimulates Leydig cells to increases intratesticular testosterone to much higher levels than in circulation (x100)

4
Q

How does FSH help with sperm induction?

A

FSH stimulates seminiferous tubule development and spermatogenesis

5
Q

Give some symptoms of hypogonadism due to opioid abuse?

A

Low morning Testosterone

Fatigue and reduced shaving frequency

6
Q

Why do we avoid giving T to those desiring fertility?

A
Secondary hypogonadism (low sperm and testosterone levels) desiring fertility, giving testosterone treatment will 
   lower LH / FSH further and further reduce spermatogenesis
7
Q

How can you treat hypogonadism in those desiring fertility?

A

Give hCG injections (which act on LH-receptors)

If no response after 6 months, then add FSH injections

8
Q

Why would someone with Kallmann’s have a worse prognosis with treatment?

A

Congenital Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism (CHH) eg Kallmann syndrome have not had mini-puberty.

FSH during mini-puberty important for growing the pool of immature spermatogonia and germ cells

9
Q

How do we overcome problems with treating those with congenital hypogonadism?

A

2-4 months pretreatment with FSH before hCG treatment

10
Q

Which testicular size is better for the affect on treatment?

A

Pretreatment Testicular size (Seminiferous tubules)

ie testicular volume >6ml have better prognosis

11
Q

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

A

loss of early morning erections, libido, decreased energy, shaving

12
Q

How do you diagnose low T?

A

At least 2 low measurements of serum testosterone before 11am.
Investigate the cause of low testosterone.

13
Q

How do we replace T?

A
Daily Gel eg Tostran. Care not to contaminate partner.
3 weekly intramuscular injection (eg Sustanon)
3 monthly intramuscular injection (eg Nebido)
Less Common (Implants, oral preparations)
14
Q

What must you bear in mind safety wise whilst replacing T (biochemical risk)?

A

Increased Haematocrit (risk of hyperviscosity and stroke)

Prostate (Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) levels)

15
Q

What is the aim of ovarian induction (product)?

A

Aim to develop one ovarian follicle

16
Q

What is the most common cause of anovualtion?

A

PCOS

17
Q

Why do we only want to stimulate one follicle?

A

Multiple pregnancies

Increased risk

18
Q

How is ovulation induction done? (its aim)

A

Ovulation induction methods aim to

increase FSH by a small amount

19
Q

How can we restore ovulation? (from PCOS)

A
  1. Lifestyle / Weight Loss / Metformin
    1. Letrozole (Aromatase inhibitor)
    2. Clomiphene (Oestradiol receptor antagonist)
    3. FSH stimulation
20
Q

Why do we use aromatase inhibitors?

A

Low oestrodial level which normally causes negative feedback on hypothalamus and pituitary gland

Increase FSH

21
Q

How do oestrodiol receptor antagonist work?

A

Decreased negative feedback

Increases FSH

22
Q

How does IVF work?

A

Oocyte retrieval

Fertilisation in vitro
(IVF or ICSI)

Embryo incubation

Embryo transfer

23
Q

What is ICSI?

A

Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection

24
Q

How do we collect eggs?

A

FSH stimulation (super ovulation)

Egg retrieval directly from ovary

Want to stop premature ovulation

Do this by giving drug that prevents LH surge

Make eggs mature by giving LH

25
Q

How do we prevent LH surge?

A

GnRH Antagonist protocol (SHORT protocol)

GnRH agonist (LONG protocol)

26
Q

How can both a GnRH agonist or a GnRH antagonist be used to block an LH surge?

A

GnRH is pulsatile so low dose can prevent surge

Non-pulsatile GnRH high dose is a blocker causes desensitisation

27
Q

What happens when eggs mature (milestone)?

A

Becomes haploid

Achieves its capability of being fertilised by sperm

28
Q

How do we mature eggs?

A

give hCG to trigger egg maturation

29
Q

What is ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome?

A

Main side effect of IVF

Pleural effusion
Ascites
Renal failure
Ovarian Torsion

30
Q

Summarise a cycle of IVF prep to get oocyte

A

High dose FSH to induce follicle growth

GnRH to prevent LH surge

Trigger injection to mature eggs (hCG or GnRHa)

Oocyte retrieval from ovary

Embryo transfer to endometrium

31
Q

What are the pros of barrier contraception (condoms)?

A

Easy to obtain – free from clinics
No need to see a healthcare professional
Protect against STI’s
No contra-indications as with some hormonal methods

32
Q

What are the cons of barrier contraception (condoms)?

A
Can interrupt sex
 Can reduce sensation    
 Can interfere with erections 
 Some skill to use properly 
  eg ensure no air, not too large or small.
 Two are not better than one
33
Q

How does the OCP work?

A
  1. Negative feedback on hypothalamus and pituitary
  2. Thickening of Cervical Mucus
  3. Thinning of Endometrial Lining
    to reduce implantation
34
Q

What are the pros of the OCP?

A

Easy to take –
one pill a day (any time of day)

Effective

Doesn’t interrupt sex

Can take several packets back to back and avoid withdrawal bleeds

Reduce endometrial and ovarian cancer

Weight Neutral in 80%
(10% gain, 10% lose)

35
Q

What are the cons of the OCP?

A

It can be difficult to remember
No protection against STIs
P450 Enzyme Inducers may reduce efficacy
Not the best choice during breast feeding

36
Q

What are the possible side effects of the OCP?

A
Spotting (bleeding in between periods)
 Nausea
 Sore breasts
 Changes in mood or libido 
 Feeling more hungry
(try different OCPs to see which suits best)
37
Q

What are the very rare side effects?

A

Blood clots in the legs or lungs (2 in 10,000)

38
Q

What are the non-contraceptive uses of the pill?

A

Helps make periods lighter and less painful
(eg endometriosis or period pain or menorrhagia)

Withdrawal bleeds will usually be very regular

PCOS: help reduce LH and hyperandrogenism

39
Q

What are the pros of the mini pill?

A

Works as OCP but less reliably inhibits ovulation
Often suitable if can’ttake oestrogen

 Easy to take – one pill a day, every day with no break
 It doesn’t interrupt sex
 Can help heavy or painful periods
 Periods may stop (temporarily)
 Can be usedwhen breastfeeding
40
Q

What are the cons of the mini pill?

A

Can be difficult to remember
No protection against STIs
Shorter acting – needs to be taken at the same time each day

41
Q

What are possible side effects of the mini pill?

A
Irregular bleeding
 Headaches
 Sore breasts
 Changes in mood
 Changes in sex drive
42
Q

What is LARCs?

A

Long acting reversible contraceptives

43
Q

What are the three LARCs?

A

IUD (intra-uterine device)

IUS (intra-uterine systems)

Progesterone-Only injectable contraceptives or subdermal implants

44
Q

What are the features of IUD?

A

Copper Coil- mechanically prevent implantation,
decrease sperm egg survival. Lasts 5-10yrs.
Can cause heavy periods, and 5% can come out especially during first 3months with periods

45
Q

What are the features of IUS?

A

which secretes progesterone (eg Mirena Coil) to thin lining of the womb and thicken cervical mucus (can be used to help with heavy bleeding). Last 3-5yrs

46
Q

What are the features of coils?

A

are suitable for most women including Nulliparous (no previous children).
Exclude STI’s and cervical screening up to date before insertion
Prevent implantation of conceptus – important for some religions
rarely can cause ectopic pregnancy
Can be used as emergency contraception

47
Q

How can an IUD be used as emergency contraception?

A

Copper intrauterine device (IUD) most effective

can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex (<1% chance of pregnancy)

48
Q

What are the emergency contraception pills?

A

Emergency contraceptive pill, ulipristal acetate 30mg (ellaOne)
Ulipristal acetate stops progesterone working normally and prevents ovulation.
Must be taken within 5 days of unprotected intercourse (earlier better).

Emergency contraceptive pill, levonorgestrel 1.5mg (Levonelle) least effective (esp if BMI >27 kg/m2)
Synthetic Progesterone prevents ovulation (don’t cause abortion).
Must be taken within 3 days of unprotected intercourse.

49
Q

What are the possible side effects of the morning after pill?

A

headache, abdominal pain, nausea.
Liver P450 Enzyme inducer medications make it less effective.
If vomit within 2-3hrs of taking it, may need to take another.

50
Q

What are the consideration you should make to choose contraception?

A

Risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) / CVD / Stroke
Comorbidities

Other conditions that may benefit from OCP eg Menorrhagia / Endometriosis / Fibroids

Need for prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Concurrent medication

51
Q

When should you avoid the OCP?

A
Migraine with aura (risk of stroke)
Smoking (>15/day) + age >35yrs
Stroke or CVD history
Current Breast cancer
Liver Cirrhosis
Diabetes with retinopathy/nephropathy/neuropathy
52
Q

What concurrent medication should you be aware of with the contraception?

A
P450 liver enzyme-inducing drugs (eg anti-epileptics,some antibiotics)
Teratogenic drugs (eg lithium or warfarin), more effective methods of contraception needed 
(eg progestogen-only implant, or intrauterine contraception).
53
Q

What is peri-menopausal?

A

Within 12 months of last menstrual period (LMP)

54
Q

What are the risks of HRT?

A

Venous Thrombo-embolism

Hormone sensitive cancers

Cardiovascular risk (none)

55
Q

Why are venous thrombosis embolism risks of HRT?

A

eg Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Oral oestrogens undergo first pass metabolism in liver

Oral&raquo_space; Increase SHBG, Triglycerides, CRP

Transdermal estrogens are safer for VTE risk than oral Avoid oral oestrogens in BMI > 30 kg/m2

56
Q

How can HRT increase cancer risk?

A

Breast Cancer
Slight increase only in women on Combined HRT (ie oestrogen AND progesterone)
Risk related to duration of treatment and reduces after stopping
Continuous worse than Sequential
Assess Background risk in the individual woman before prescribing

Ovarian cancer- Small increase in risk after long-term use.

Endometrial Cancer-
Must prescribe Progestogens in all women with an endometrium !

57
Q

How do you assess HRT safety (time periods)?

A

At 3 months

Then annually

58
Q

What are the main features of CVD and HRT?

A

No increased risk if started before age 60 yrs
Increased risk if started 10 years after menopause
Possible benefits of oestrogen supplementation in young women e.g. Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

59
Q

What are the main features of stroke and HRT?

A

Small increased risk
Oral > transdermal oestrogens
Combined > oestrogen only

60
Q

What are the benefits of HRT?

A

Relief of symptoms of low oestrogen
eg Flushing, disturbed sleep, decreased libido, low mood,

Less osteoporosis related fractures
decreased by one third

61
Q

What is the difference between gender or sex?

A

Gender is social construct, how you see yourself as male, female, or non-binary.

Sex is biologically defined eg male, female, or Intersex.

62
Q

What is cisgender?

A

Same Sex and Gender

63
Q

What does gender non-conforming mean?

A

Gender does not match assigned sex

64
Q

What is gender dysphoria?

A

Identity issues cause depression

65
Q

What is non-binary?

A

Gender does not match to traditional binary gender understanding,
includes agender, bigender, pangender, gender fluid

66
Q

What is transgender?

A

Transitioning or planning to transition physical appearance from one to another

67
Q

How can people transition?

A

Prepubertal young people - GnRH agonist for pubertal suppression and then sex steroids.
Post-treatment regret 1-2%
Gender Reassignment surgery after 1-2 yrs of hormonal treatment

68
Q

What hormones do you give for transgender men?

A

Testosterone (injections, gels)

69
Q

What are the side effects of giving T?

A

Polycythaemia, lower HDL, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). No increase in CVD

70
Q

What happens after giving T to transgender men?

A

Balding (depending on your age and family pattern)
Deeper voice / Acne / Increased and coarser facial and body hair
Change in the distribution of your body fat
Enlargement of the clitoris
Menstrual cycle stops
Increased muscle mass and strength

71
Q

What are the feminising hormones with transgender women?

A

Estrogen (transdermal, oral, intramuscular)

High dose oestrogen eg 4-5mg per day to aim for estradiol levels of 734 pmol/L.

72
Q

What are the side effects of giving oestrogen?

A

VTE dose-related at 2.6%, high BP, Cardio-Vascular Disease, high Triglycerides,
hormone sensitive cancers eg breast cancer, abnormal Liver Function tests 3%

73
Q

How is T reduced in transgender women?

A
GnRH agonists (induce desensitization of HPG axis)
Ant-Androgen medications (eg Cyproterone acetate, Spirnolactone)
74
Q

What happens as transgender women feminise?

A

1 TO 3 MONTHS: Decrease in sexual desire / function (including erections) / Baldness slows / may reverse

3 TO 6 MONTHS: Softer skin and Change in body fat distribution / Decrease in testicular size /
Breast development and tenderness

6 TO 12 MONTHS: Hair may become softer and finer