OB / GYN

Clerkship director: Vicki Mendiratta, MD

Web site: http://depts.washington.edu/obgyn/clerkship/
REFERENCES & HELPFUL RESOURCES
1. Blueprints in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Callahan, et al.)
2. Obstetrics and Gynecology (Beckmann, Ling, Laube et al.)
3. Obstetrics: Normal and problem pregnancies (Gabbe, et al.)
4. Comprehensive Gynecology (Mishell, Stenchever, et al.)
SAMPLE NOTES
OB Admit Note
ID/CC: ___ yo G__ P____@ ___weeks by LMP/US (date performed and whether consistent
w/ LMP) presents w/ (onset of ctx, SROM, vaginal bleeding, decreased fetal movement,
abdominal pain, etc)
HPI:
PNC:
Labs:
ABO type, Ab +/-, Rubella status, RPR, HbsAg +/-, HIV, GC/CT
Hct, Pap, UA, GBS status, GCT (1 hr), GTT (3 hr), Quad screen
st

st

1 visit @__weeks, total wt gain, 1 trimester BP

Imaging/fetal assessment: list U/S, NST, CST, BPP, amniocentesis, previous
L/D admits (dates, gestational age, results)
Important issues: twins, PTL, infections, drug abuse, comorbidities, etc
Past OB hx: List each previous pregnancy w/ delivery date, delivery route, wt, sex,
complications (including miscarriages/abortions)
Past Gyn hx: Menarche, cycles (reg or irreg), abnormal Paps, cervical operations/procedures,
contraceptive hx
PMH:
PSH:
Medications:
Allergies:
Social hx:
Include tobacco, ETOH, IVDU
Family hx: Metabolic/genetic disorders, diabetes, HTN, twins, etc
PE:
Vitals, FHT (doppler rate or baseline/variability/accels/decels on monitor)
general appearance, lungs, CV, ext (signs of DVT, edema), DTR (hyperreflexia,
clonus), abd (gravid, +/- tender, position by Leopolds, EFW), cx exam (dilation,
effacement, station, position, consistency)
Assessment: 1. IUP @__weeks in active labor/early labor/r/o PTL, etc
2. Pregnancy complicated by
3. Intact membranes/SROM or AROM @__ w/ ___fluid
Plan:
Admit to L/D, Expectant management, Analgesia, Anticipate NSVD

Delivery Note
IUP @__wks, delivered by (CS, NSVD, vacuum, LTCS, VBAC, etc)
Labor:
Spontaneous / induced / augmented (max rate of pitocin, etc)
ROM:
Spontaneous vs artificial, +/- meconium, date/time, rupture length
Anesthesia: Epidural, pudendal, none (include amounts)
Infant:
Wt, sex, position, APGAR scores, time of birth, +/- nuchal cord, bulb/DeLee
suction at perineum/delivery
Placenta:
Spontaneous vs. manual extraction, time of delivery, intactness, # vessels (3),
+/- pitocin
Repair:
Episiotomy (nth degree laceration, (where: cervical / vaginal vault / perineum,
type of suture)
Complications:
EBL:
st
nd
rd
Duration of labor:
1 stage, 2 stage, 3 stage, total
Postpartum condition:
Mother and baby
In attendance:
Attending, resident, med student
Postpartum Progress Note
S:
Pain control, calf pain, breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding/lochia,
bowel/bladder fxn, ambulation
O:
Vitals, lungs, CV, abd (fundal height/consistency, incision/episiotomy),
ext (edema, reflexes)
Labs:
CBC, Rh status
A/P:
PPD #1 uncomplicated NSVD, doing well (discuss complications if any)
Need for teaching (breast feeding), F/U, contraception, +/- RhoGAM,
circumcision for male infants
NORMAL OB
G/P Notation
Gravida = # of pregnancies the woman has had in her lifetime including
current one (not affected by multiple gestations)
Para = results of the above pregnancies divided into 4 categories: TPALTerm
/ Preterm / Abortions (spontaneous or elective) / Living children
Pregnancy Dating Information
st
Nageles Rule: EDD = 1 day of LMP 3 months + 1 week
st
Date of 1 positive pregnancy test: (usually 4 weeks gestation)
Date of pregnancy symptoms: 5-6 weeks
Doppler U/S of fetal heart tones: 7-12 weeks (closer to 12)
Fetoscope of heart tones: 19-20 weeks
Quickening: 20 weeks for primips, and 16-17 weeks for multips
Fundal height: 20 weeks at umbilicus, + 1 cm/week thereafter
st
nd
rd
Ultrasound accuracy best in 1 trimester (+/- 1 wk), 2 (+/- 2 wks) and 3 (+/- 3 wks)

Initial Visit/ First Trimester

Second Trimester
Third Trimester

ROUTINE PRENATAL TESTING

Hct, blood type & screen, RPR, Rubella antibody, Hep B,
GC/CT, PPD, Pap smear, UA w/ culture, HIV, VZV titer
in pts w/ no h/o exposure
Quad screen (MSAFP, unconj estradiol, -HCG, inhibin
AHCG alpha subunit), screening ultrasound (18-20 wks),
amnio if indicated
50 g OGTT, Hct, GBS culture (36 wks), RPR, GC/CT if
indicated; administer RhoGAM(D) IG for Rh negative at
28 wks; cervical checks at visits after 37 wks

Normal Lab Values In Pregnancy

Lab
Normal Pregnancy Range Change from Non-Pregnancy
3
3
WBC
5-15 X 10 /mm

Hgb
11-14 g/dL

Hct
33-42%

Arterial pH
7.4-7.45

PCO2
27-32 mmHg

HCO3
19-25 mEq/L

Creatinine
<1.0 mg/dL

BUN
4-12 mg/dL

Fibrinogen
400-500 mg/dL

Thyroid Functions
TBG, T4, T3 uptake, normal TSH, FT4, and FTI
ECG
May have flat or inverted T-waves or Q-waves in inferior leads
Labor induction: Attempt to begin labor in a nonlaboring patient, usually done with
prostoglandins, pitocin, mechanical dilation of the cervix, and/or amniotomy.
Cervical ripening:
Necessary before induction of labor when the cervix is unfavorable

Nonpharmacologic methods: membrane stripping, amniotomy, mechanical dilators

(e.g. balloon catheter), hygroscopic dilators (laminaria, Dilapan, lamicel)

Pharmacologic methods: PGE2 (dinoprostone gel, Cervidil), PGE1 (Cytotec), pitocin

Bishop Scoring: Used to assess if the cervix is favorable for labor induction; total score >7-8
= favorable for induction
BISHOP SCORE
Parameter
0
1
2
3
Dilation (cm)
Closed
1-2
3-4
5+
Effacement
0-30
40-50
60-70
80+
Station
-3
-2
-1 or 0
+1 or +2
Consistency
Firm
Medium
Soft
Position
Posterior
Midposition
Anterior
Labor augmentation: Intervening to increase already present contractions when contractions
are inadequate or labor is prolonged; done with pitocin &/or amniotomy. Excess pitocin can
cause uterine hyperstimulation, and rarely uterine rupture or water intoxication
3

Stages of Labor
Stage I
Latent phase: closed cervix to 3-4 cm dilation
Active phase: 3-4 cm dilation until fully dilated cervix (10 cm)
Stage II
Fully dilated cervix to delivery of the infant
Stage III
Delivery of the infant to delivery of the placenta
Abnormal labor patterns

Prolonged latent phase = 20+ hours in nullips, 14+ hours in multips; doesnt
necessarily mean active phase will be abnormal or adversely affect perinatal outcome

Protraction disorders: prolonged active phase = cervical dilation < 1.2 cm/hr in nullips,
<1.5 cm/hr in multips; or descent of presenting part <1 cm/hr in nullips, <1.5 cm/hr in
multips

Arrest disorders: secondary arrest = cessation of previously normal active phase

cervical dilatation for a period of 2+ hrs in nullip or multip; arrest of descent = no
nd
descent of the presenting part in > 1 hr in 2 stage of labor
rd

3 stage of labor should be < 30 minutes for both nullips and multips, after 30 minutes
intervention is indicated to expedite delivery of placenta
APGAR SCORE (for newborn assessment; done at 1 and 5 min of life)
Sign
0
1
2
Appearance
Blue, pale
Body pink, extremities
Pink
(color)
blue
Pulse
Absent
<100 bpm
>100 bpm
Grimace (reflex
No response
Some response
Facial grimace,
irritability)
sneeze, cough
Activity (muscle
Flaccid
Some flexion
Good flexion of arms
tone)
and legs
Respiratory effort
Apneic
Weak, irregular, gasping
Regular, good cry
OB COMPLICATIONS
st
1 Trimester Bleeding
Obstetric Causes: spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, extrusion of molar pregnancy
Nonobstetric Causes: 1) Cervical = severe cervicitis, polyps, benign/malignant neoplasms, 2)
Vaginal = lacerations, varices, benign/malignant neoplasms, 3) Other = postcoital bleeding
hemorrhoids, bleeding disorder, abd/pelvic trauma
rd

3 Trimester Bleeding
Obstetric Causes: 1) Placental = placenta previa, placental abruption, circumvallate placenta;
2) Maternal = uterine rupture, clotting disorders; 3) Fetal = fetal vessel rupture
Nonobstetric Causes: 1) Cervical = severe cervicitis, polyps, benign/malignant neoplasms, 2)
Vaginal = lacerations, varices, benign/malignant neoplasms, 3) Other = hemorrhoids,
bleeding disorder, abd/pelvic trauma
rd

Placental Abruption (30% of 3 trimester hemorrhages)

Definition: premature separation of normally implanted placenta from uterine wall resulting in
hemorrhage between uterine wall and placenta
Presentation: painful bleeding (not always!), abd pain, uterine tenderness, ctx
Risk Factors: HTN, h/o abruption, trauma, AMA, cig/cocaine, rapid decompression of
overextended uterus
4

Work-up: CBC, coag panel, fibrinogen, FDP, type and cross-match, Apt test, U/S (r/o
placenta previa), speculum exam (after r/o previa), FHT, monitor contractions
Treatment: stabilize pt; prepare for future hemorrhage and preterm delivery; deliver if baby is
mature or bleeding is life-threatening, can do vaginally if pt is stable & fetal testing reassuring
Complications: DIC, hypovolemic shock, preterm delivery
rd

Placenta Previa (20% of 3 trimester hemorrhage)

Definition: abnormal implantation of placenta over internal cervical os; can be complete,
partial or marginal
Presentation: painless vaginal bleeding, usually in third trimester
Risk factors: prior placenta previa, uterine scars, multiple gestations, multiparity, prior C/S,
cigs, AMA
Work-up: transabdominal/labial U/S no vaginal exam!, CBC, type & cross, coag panel
Treatment: deliver by immediate C/S if unstoppable preterm labor, large hemorrhage, nonreassuring FHT, or at >36 w with mature lung testing; otherwise stabilize pt, prepare for
hemorrhage and preterm delivery; 70% of pts will require delivery before 36 weeks
Complications: preterm delivery, PPROM, IUGR, antepartum hemorrhage
Postpartum Hemorrhage blood loss > 500 mL in vaginal delivery, > 1000 mL in C/S
Risk factors: 4 Ts
Tissue
Retained POCs, placenta accreta, cord avulsion
Trauma
Genital tract laceration, pelvic hematoma, uterine inversion,
uterine rupture
Thrombin
Coagulopathy, DIC
Tone
Uterine atony (#1 cause, can be due to grand multiparity, multiple
gestation, macrosomic fetus, prolonged labor w/ pitocin,
chorioamnionitis, rapid labor, Mg tx)
Treatment:

Fluid resuscitation, prepare for blood transfusion

Laceration repair, removal of placental products/POCs

For uterine atony: manual uterine massage, pitocin, Methergen or

prostaglandin. If pharmacologic methods fail, to OR for D&C, if this fails then
laparotomy.
Placenta Accreta
Definition: placenta forms an abnormally firm attachment to the uterine wall
Accreta: attached to the myometrium
Increta: invades the myometrium
Percreta: penetrates the myometrium (may invade bladder, etc)
Risk factors: prior C/S, other uterine surgery
Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)
Definition: spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes before the onset of labor regardless of
gestational age
Presentation: gush of fluid from the vagina followed by persistent, uncontrolled leakage
Work-up: use sterile speculum exam (avoid digital exam), look for pooling of fluid in vaginal
vault and perform Nitrazine test (amniotic fluid is alkaline), look for ferning under microscope,
may also do U/S for amniotic fluid volume, and fetal fibronectin
Preterm PROM = PROM that occurs before 37 weeks gestation
5

Risk factors: STDs, smoking, prior PROM, short cervical length, prior preterm delivery,
hydramnios, multiple gestatations
Complications: chorioamnionitis, neonatal sepsis/pna/meningitis, placental abruption cord
prolapse, pulmonary hypoplasia secondary to oligohydramnios
Treatment: expectant management with fetal and maternal monitoring; time to onset of labor
inversely correlated with gestational age; immediately deliver for fetal distress or maternal
infection; if PPROM use prophylactic antibiotics (reduce risk of neonatal GBS infection and
prolong latency to labor onset) and antenatal corticosteroids as necessary
Pre-eclampsia
Definition:
Preeclampsia = hypertension (BP>140/90 or 30/15 elevation over pts baseline),
proteinuria (0.3 g/24 hr or >+1 on dipstick), and nondependent edema
Severe preeclampsia = SBP >160 and/or DBP >110 (on 2 occasions, 6hrs
apart, at rest), proteinuria >5g/24 hr or 3-4+ on dipstick, nondependent edema;
or any of the following in mild preeclamptic pt: oliguria, pulmonary edema, RUQ
pain, headache/scomata, altered LFTs, thrombocytopenia, IUGR
Risk factors: Nulliparity, extremes of maternal age, multiple gestations, underlying chronic
HTN, family h/o preeclampsia
Labs: CBC, LFTs, UA, creatinine, BUN, uric acid
Treatment: Delivery is the only cure; in mild pts deliver if at term or unstable, otherwise
control blood pressure and manage expectantly; for severe pts deliver immediately
Eclampsia

Grand mal seizure in preeclamptic patient not attributed to other cause

Can occur before labor (25% of pts), during labor (50%) or after delivery (25%)
Prophylaxis with MgSO4; treat seizure w/ MgSO4 and HTN management,
deliver once pt stable

HELLP
A variant of severe preeclampsia: Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets

Plt count <100K most consistent finding

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia

Liver enzymes AST >72, LDH >600

Treat with immediate delivery!

Pre-Term Labor
Definition: contractions resulting in cervical change before 37 weeks
Risk factors: infection, uterine malformations, antepartum hemorrhage, smoking, cocaine,
h/o PTL, cervical incompetence, PROM, congenital anomalies, HTN, DM
Complications: preterm delivery can result in RDS, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, jaundice,
bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis
Work-up: sterile speculum exam to r/o PROM, U/S, FHT, amnio for FLM if clinically indicated
Treatment: hydration, bed rest, fetal monitoring, treat infections, steroids, tocolytics
Tocolytic Drugs
Magnesium sulfate: may compete w/ calcium to reduce excitation or reduce calcium influx
into the cell

Maternal side effects: flushing, nausea, vomiting, headache, generalized

muscle weakness, diplopia, SOB, pulmonary edema
6

Neonatal side effects: (crosses placenta), serious complications uncommon;

clinically insignificant decreased baseline heart rate and variability

Monitor I/Os, DTRs (Mg toxicity causes hyporeflexia), vital signs q hr

Indomethacin: COX inhibitor (prostaglandins are mediators of the final pathway of uterine
muscle contractions)

Maternal side effects: GI sx, GI bleed, platelet dysfunction

Neonatal side effects: oligohydramnios, ductal constriction, primary pulmonary

hypertension w/ prolonged tx
Terbutaline: beta agonist (beta-2-receptor stimulation leads to uterine smooth muscle
relaxation)

Maternal side effects: tachycardia, palpitations, hypotension, chest discomfort,

myocardial ischemia (rare!), SOB, tremor, pulmonary edema (rare!), hypoK,
hyperglycemia

Neonatal side effects: tachycardia, hyperglycemia

Nifedipine: calcium channel blocker

Maternal side effects: hypotension, tachycardia, headache, flushing, dizziness,

nausea

Contraindications to Tocolysis
IUDR, lethal fetal anomaly, nonreassuring fetal assessment, severe IUGR, chorioamnionitis,
maternal hemorrhage with hemodynamic instability and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia
Ectopic Pregnancy
Definition: pregnancy outside uterine cavity (99% are in the fallopian tube 78% in ampulla,
12% in isthmus)
Risk factors: h/o PID/STD, prior tubal surgery, IUD use, prior ectopic
Presentation: amenorrhea, abnormal vaginal bleeding, unilateral abd/pelvic pain, tender
adnexal mass
Ddx: salpingitis, threatened abortion, appendicitis, ovarian torsion
Work-up: serial quantitative -HCG, Hct, U/S, culdocentesies if concern for rupture
Treatment: surgical or medical (methotrexate); if ruptured, immediate surgery!
Gestational Diabetes
Screening: 28 wk 50 g OGTT - value > 140 mg/dL at 1 hour is abnl. If abnl, then do fasting
3 hour 100 g OGTT - values controversial, but fasting > 95, 1 hr > 180, 2 hr >
155 or 3 hr > 140 considered abnl (+ if fasting or 2+ postprandial values )
Comps:
Fetal: macrosomia, traumatic delivery, shoulder dystocia, delayed organ
maturity, congenital malformations, IUGR
Maternal: polyhydramnios, preeclampsia, infection, diabetic emergencies
(hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, diabetic coma), vascular or end organ damage,
peripheral neuropathy, GI disturbance
Treatment: Diet/exercise and insulin or oral agents as needed to keep fasting levels < 100.
Requires more frequent visits, possible referral to high-risk clinic. Delivery
between 38-40 wk
Postpartum: Monitor blood sugars postpartum, and screen for DM as at increased risk (40%
in 15 years)

White Classification for diabetes during pregnancy

A1 - gestational diabetes, diet controlled
A2 - getstational diabetes, insulin controlled
B - onset age >20 or less than 10 years duration
C - onset age 10-19 or 10-19 yrs duration
D - onset at <10 yrs, or >20 yrs duration
F - with nephropathy
R - with proliferative retinopathy
H - with ischemic heart disease
T - with renal transplant
Type
Early
Variable
Late

FETAL HEART RATE MONITORING: DECELERATIONS

Significance
Description
Head compression
Begins with and mirrors ctx, uniform shape
Cord compression
Variable in relation to ctx, abrupt onset
Placental
Symmetric, begins after ctx onset and returns after ctx
insufficiency
completion

ASSESSMENT OF FETAL WELL-BEING

Test
Reassuring
Non-reassuring
Maternal kick counts
4 kicks per hour
3 kicks per hour
Nonstress Test (NST)
Reactive: 2
Non-reactive: not having 2
(50% of strips are NR at < 28 wks,
accelerations (>15
accels/20min, even after
28W, by 32w, 15% NR at 32 wks)
bpm above baseline
acoustic or glucose stim
for >15 sec in 20
min)
Contraction Stress Test / Oxytocin
No late or significant
Persistent late or significant
Challenge Test
variable decels with
variable decals after >50% of
contractions. Must
contractions without
have at least 3
hyperstimulation.
contractions in 10
minutes.
Amniotic Fluid Index: U/S
>8, although does
<5: oligohydramnios
measurement of amniotic fluid in 4
vary with gestational
>20: polyhydramnios
quadrants
age
Biophysical Profile (BPP): U/S
Score 8-10
<8, consider delivery, repeat
used to assign score (0-2) in 5
BPP in 24 hours, or
parameters: fetal tone, breathing,
perinatology consult
movement, AFI, and NST
Umbilical artery Doppler U/S
Depends on
Elevations IUGR, fetal
velocimetry
gestational age
hypoxia, acidosis
Absent or reversed enddiastolic flow IUGR

Category
Non-stress test
AFI
Fetal tone
Fetal movement
Fetal breathing

BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE (BPP)

Score = 2
Reactive
1 pocket > 1 cm in two planes
At least 1 extremity flex/ext/flex
3 gross movements
30 secs of sustained effort (can have 5 sec
pauses)

Score = 0
Non-reactive
Largest pocket <1cm
Extended with slow or
/no return to flex or no
movement
< 3 gross movements
< 30 seconds of fetal
breathing

BENIGN GYN
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Syndrome: Most common cause of androgen excess and hirsutism, characterized by
oligo/amenorrhea, related to obesity
Diagnosis: 2 of 3 required: 1) oligo/amenorrhea and/or anovulation, 2) clinical and/or
biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, 3) polycystic ovaries by US; must also
exclude other etiologies
Labs:
Prolactin, testosterone, DHEA-S, thyroid fxn
Treatment: Non-medical weight loss, diet, exercise, hair removal techniques
Surgical ovarian wedge resection, lap ovarian laser electrocautery
Pharmacological if patient NOT wishing to be pregnant: OCPs, antiandrogen
(i.e. spironolactone), metformin; if desiring pregnancy: clomid and metformin
Comps:
Increased risk of PIH, GDM, endometrial & ovarian cancer, metabolic
syndrome (DM, HTN, CVD, dyslipidemia), sleep apnea
Pap smears
Significantly reduced the incidence of cervical cancer. Recommended annually beginning 3
years after the onset of sexual activity, but no later than age 21. May be repeated less often
at the discretion of the physician if the patient has three normal pap smears in a row. An
adequate sample must contain some endocervial cells from the squamocolumnar junction
since this is where 95% of cervical cancers occur. The Bethesda system is the current
classification used.
Organism
Trichomonas
Bacterial Vaginosis
Candida

VAGINITIS
Discharge
Wet Prep
Thin, yellow-green
Motile, flagellated
organisms
Thin, gray-white
Clue cells, + KOH
whiff test
Thick, clumpy,
Spores and
cottage cheese-like
pseudohyphae

Treatment
Metronidazole
Metronidazole
Miconazole, diflucan,
clotrimazole

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Symptoms: Abd/pelvic pain, increased vag discharge, abnormal odor, abnormal bleeding,
GI or urinary disturbances
Diagnosis: Made clinically by cervical motion tenderness, elevated WBC, and pelvic pain
Organisms: C. trachomatis, N. gonnorhea, occasionally Bacteroides, E. coli, and Strep
9

Risk factors: Multiple sexual partners, teen, prior PID, current or past IUD, vaginal douching,
cervical instrumentation
Complics:
Adhesions, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, chronic pelvic pain.
Outpatient treatment:
- Ofloxacin 400 mg PO BID or Levofloxacin 500 mg PO QD with or without Metronidazole 500
mg PO BID for 14 days
- Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM x 1 plus Doxycycline 100 mg PO BID for 14 days
Inpatient treatment:
- Cefotetan 2 g IV q12 or Cefoxitin 2 g IV q6 plus Doxycycline 100 mg IV or PO q 12
- Clindamycin 900 mg IV q8 plus Gentamicin 2 mg/kg loading dose, then 1.5 mg/kg q8 or
4.5 mg/kg QD, then Doxycycline 100 mg PO BID for 14 days
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Chlamydia trachomatis
Symptoms: Often asymptomatic in women. May present with cervical discharge.
Diagnosis: Ligase chain reaction (LCR) of swab or urine (>95% sensitive)
Antigen detection, direct florescent antibody of swab from cervix (sensitivity 8095%)
Treatment: Azithromycin 1g PO as single dose or doxycycline 100mg PO BID for 7 days
Neisseria Gonorrhea
Symptoms: 50% of infected women are asymptomatic, when symptoms occur they often
include vaginal discharge or vaginal pruritus; infection can involve any portion of
the genital tract or oropharynx
Diagnosis: Culture may only be 60-85% sensitive in asymptomatic women
Gram stain in symptomatic women is only 60% sensitive (compared to almost
100% in men), so in women you must also send a culture
Urine LCR, wide range of reported sensitivity (50-95%)
Treatment: Cefixime 400 mg PO X 1
Ceftriaxone 125 mg IM X 1
Ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO x 1
With any of the above also give Azithromycin 1g PO X1 or Doxycycline 100 mg
PO BID x 7 days to cover for possible concomitant chlamydia
Herpes Simplex virus: types 1 and 2 can cause genital lesions
Symptoms: Highly variable and include painful or itchy genital ulcers (characteristic dew
drops on a rose petal appearance), dysuria, fever, inguinal lymphadenopathy
Diagnosis: HSV PCR of swab, most sensitive if a blister is unroofed and swab is placed on
fluid
Viral culture
Serology provides evidence of previous infection
Treatment: Acyclovir may shorten duration of outbreak if started within 24 hours of
symptom onset, 200 mg PO five times per day for 10 days or 400 mg PO TID
Suppressive therapy can be given to those with recurrent outbreaks (Acyclovir
400 mg PO BID).

10

Infertility
Definition:

Work-up:

Inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse; 15%

of all couples will have infertility (40% of infertility is due to male factor i.e.,
abnormal morphology or motility, 40% due to female factor i.e., endometriosis,
adhesions of fallopian tubes, 20% unexplained)
Semen analysis, post-coital test, basal body temperature charts to identify
ovulation, endometrial biopsy, hysterosalpingogram, U/S, laparotomy, midluteal
progesterone, endocrine w/u. Appropriate tests determined by history.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (premenopausal)

Definition: Any irregularity in menstrual cycle from the norm
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: Idiopathic abnormal bleeding.
Menorrhagia: Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding (>80 mL/cycle)
Etiologies include fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial
polyps, endometrial/cervical cancer, primary bleeding disorders.
Metorrhagia: Bleeding between periods
Etiologies include endometrial polyps, endometrial/cervical cancer
Hypomenorrhea: Periods with unusually light flow
Etiologies include hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in anorexics or athletes;
can also be caused by Ashermans syndrome, intrauterine adhesions, OCPs,
Depo-Provera, outlet obstruction
Polymenorrhea: Frequent periods (<21 days between similar bleeding episodes)
Usually caused by anovulation
Oligomenorrhea: Periods >35 days apart
Most common cause is pregnancy, can also be due to any disruption of
pituitary-gonadal axis or systemic disease
Postmenopausal Bleeding
Definition:
Vaginal bleeding > 12 months after menopause; always abnormal and should
always be investigated!
Work-up:
1) Perform pelvic exam and determine site of bleeding (bladder, rectum, vagina,
cervix, vulva), note suspicious lesions and assess uterine size
2) Biopsy any suspicious lesion and perform a Pap smear
3) Transvaginal ultrasound: in postmenopausal bleeding this is 96% sensitive
for detecting endometrial cancer when the stripe is > 4-5mm.
4) Proceed to endometrial biopsy if:
- endometrial lining is thicker than 5 mm
- endometrium shows diffuse or focal increased echogenicity
(heterogeneity)
- bleeding persists
- endometrium is not adequately visualized
(Note: EMB samples 5-15% of the endometrial lining and up to 70% are
not diagnostic)
5) Saline infusion sonography
6) Hysteroscopy
Ddx:
Hormone replacement therapy (#1 cause), endometrial or cervical cancer,
endometrial polyp, endometrial or vaginal atrophy, endometrial hyperplasia,
fibroids, adenomyosis, infection, anticoagulant therapy or bleeding disorder,
post radiation
11

Amenorrhea
Primary (Absence of menarche by age 16 or 4 years after thelarche)
Etiologies: (after excluding pregnancy)

Outflow tract abnormalities: imperforate hymen, transverse vaginal septum,

vaginal agenesis or atresia, testicular feminization, uterine agenesis

End-organ disorders: ovarian agenesis, ovarian failure (e.g. Turners

Syndrome)

Central disorders: hypothalamic (local tumor compression, trauma, sarciodosis,

Kallmanns syndrome), pituitary (damage from surgery or radiation)
Work-up:
History (including family history, diet, exercise, drug use)
Physical exam (presence of breasts, uterus, vagina)
Labs sent will depend on findings of physical exam
Secondary (Absence of menses for > 6 months or 3 normal cycle lengths in a woman who
previously had menstrual cycles)
Etiologies: Pregnancy, anatomic abnormalities (Ashermans syndrome, cervical stenosis),
ovarian failure (from surgery, infection, radiation, chemo or idiopathic),
polycystic ovarian syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, disruption of hypothalamicpituitary axis (stress, anorexia)
Work-up:
History and physical
Pregnancy test
Prolactin if normal, proceed with progesterone challenge. If fail
progestin challenge, check FSH
Contraception
1. Hormonal methods
- Oral contraceptives
- Injectable contraceptives (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate,
medroxyprogesterone acetate/estradiol cypionate)
- Contraceptive implant
- Contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing)
- Transdermal contraceptive patch (Ortho Evra)
2. Barrier methods
- Male or female condom
- Diaphragm
- Cervical cap
- Spermicides
3. Other
- IUD (copper or levonorgestrel)
- Sterilization (tubal ligation, vasectomy)
- Withdrawal (18-20% failure rate)
- Periodic abstinence
Calendar method: Find first day of the fertile period by subtracting 18 days from
the length of their shortest menstrual cycle. The last day of the fertile period is
determined by subtracting 11 days from the length of the longest cycle. Thus, a
woman whose period varies from 28 to 30 days should abstain from intercourse
on days 10 to 19 (with day 1 being the first day of their menstrual period). Not
effective in women with irregular cycles
Ovulatory method: Measure daily basal body temperatures and abstain after
cessation of menses until three days after a rise in temperature of 0.5 degrees
has been detected. Cervical mucus: more watery around ovulation; abstain until
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3-4 days after peak mucus production. Failure rates with perfect use 3-9% (up
to 86% with incorrect use)
4. Emergency Contraception
Given within 72 hours of intercourse to prevent ovulation or if ovulation has
occurred to prevent implantation. WILL NOT DISRUPT ALREADY IMPLANTED
EMBRYO, i.e. THESE ARE NOT ABORTIFACIENTS
- Estrogen plus progesterone = Ethinyl estradiol 100 g +
levonorgestrel 0.5 mg x 2 Q12 (75-80% of pregnancy prevented)
- Progesterone only = Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg x 2 Q12 (equally or
more effective than above regimen): known as Plan B and in
Washington state some pharmacists can give this to women
without a prescription
- Mifepristone 600 mg x 1 (100% effective); this is an abortifacient
- Copper IUD inserted within 120 hours after intercourse (>90%
effective)
Gynecologic Oncology
Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer
1. Early onset of sexual activity
2. Multiple sexual partners
3. High risk partner: sexual exposure to partner with known HPV
4. History of STDs
5. Smoking
6. High parity
7. Immunosuppression
8. Low socioeconomic status
9. Previous history of vulvar or vaginal squamous dysplasia
10. HPV infection strongly associated
Risk Factors for Endometrial Cancer
1. Type I endometrial carcinoma is estrogen-related, tends to be associated with hyperplasia,
and typically presents as a low-grade endometrioid tumor.
Risk Factors known for Type I (not type II)
[Relative risk]
Increasing age
Unopposed estrogen
[2-10]
Late menopause (after age 55)
[2]
Tamoxifen therapy
[2]
Nulliparity
[2]
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
[3]
Obesity
[2-4]
Diabetes mellitus
[2]
Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
[22-50% lifetime risk]
2. Type II endometrial carcinoma appears unrelated to estrogen or hyperplasia, and tends to
present with higher-grade tumors or poor prognostic cell types such as papillary serous or
clear cell tumors.

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Staging of Cervical Cancer (greatly simplified)

TNM FIGO Definition
TX
Primary tumor cannot be assessed
T0
No evidence of primary tumor
Tis
0
Carcinoma in situ
T1
I
Cervical carcinoma confined to uterus/cervix; subtypes classify
extent of measured stromal invasion
T2
II
Cervical carcinoma invades beyond uterus but not to pelvic
wall or to the lower third of vagina
T3
III
Tumor extends to the pelvic wall, and/or invades the lower third of
vagina and/or causes hydronephrosis or nonfunctioning kidney
T4
IVA
Spread to adjacent organs (bladder, rectum or both)
M1
IVB
Distant metastasis
NX
N0
N1
AJCC stage grouping
Stage 0
TisN0M0
Stage I
T1N0M0
Stage II
T2N0M0
Stage IIIA
T3aN0M0

Cannot assess regional lymph nodes

No regional lymph node metastasis
Regional lymph node metastasis
Stage IIIB
Stage IVA
Stage IVB

T1-3aN1M0 or T3b any NM0

T4 any N M0
Any T any N M1

Staging of Endometrial Cancer (greatly simplified)

TNM
FIGO stage Definition
TX
Primary tumor cannot be assessed
T0
No evidence of primary tumor
Tis
Carcinoma in situ
T1N0
I
Tumor confined endo/myometrium
T2N0
II
Tumor invades cervix, but does not extend beyond uterus
T3N0
IIIa
Local and/or regional spread as to serorosa/adnexa (IIIa);
IIIb
vagina
N1
IIIc
with spread to pelvic/pre-aortic nodes
T4
IVA
Tumor invades bladder mucosa and/or bowel mucosa
M1
IVB
Distant metastasis Including metastasis to intra-abdominal
lymph nodes other than para-aortic, and/or inguinal lymph nodes
Staging of Ovarian Cancer (greatly simplified)
Stage I
Growth limited to the ovaries
Stage II
Growth involving one or both ovaries with pelvic extension
Stage III
Tumor involving one or both ovaries with peritoneal implants outside the
pelvis and/or positive retroperitoneal or inguinal nodes. Superficial liver
metastasis equals stage III. Tumor is limited to the true pelvis, but with
histologically proven malignant extension to small bowel or omentum.
Stage IV
Growth involving one or both ovaries with distant metastasis. If pleural
effusion is present, there must be positive cytologic test results in order to
classify as stage IV. Parenchymal liver metastasis equals stage IV.
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