Female Reproductive Disorders - Part 1 (HPU2404)

Comprehensive vocabulary and core concepts regarding female reproductive anatomy, hormonal control, menstrual disorders, endometriosis, menopause management, and breast cancer based on the HPU2404 lecture transcript.

Vagina

An elastic, fibromuscular canal, $9-10\,cm$ in length, that extends from the introitus to the lower uterus and serves as the passage for mucous, menstrual fluids, the conceptus, and the penis during coitus.

Uterus

A hollow, pear-shaped organ with thick muscular walls comprised of three layers: the endometrium (mucous membrane), myometrium (smooth muscle), and peritoneum (serosa).

Ovaries

Female gonads responsible for the production and maturation of gametes and major female sex hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone.

Ampulla

The specific region closer to the ovarian end of the uterine (fallopian) tubes where fertilisation usually occurs.

Labia Majora

The outer, larger folds of skin that enclose and protect external reproductive organs, containing sweat and oil glands; they are comparable to the male scrotum.

Bartholin's Glands

Small glands located on either side of the vaginal opening that secrete a lubricating fluid during sexual arousal to reduce friction.

Prolactin

A hormone that stimulates milk synthesis in the mammary glands during lactation.

Oxytocin

A hormone that facilitates milk release from the alveoli and prompts myoepithelial cell contraction during the milk ejection reflex (letdown).

Colostrum

A nutrient-rich fluid produced in the initial postpartum days that precedes mature breast milk, providing crucial antibodies and nutrients to the newborn.

Involution

The process following the cessation of breastfeeding where the mammary glands return to a non-lactating state.

Luteinising hormone (LH)

Produced by the anterior pituitary gland, its target tissue is the ovaries where it stimulates the production of oestrogen and progesterone.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Produced by the anterior pituitary gland, it stimulates ovarian follicle maturation and oestrogen production.

Androstenedione

A hormone released by thecal cells as a precursor for oestrogen production in granulosa cells; it influences sexual and aggressive behaviour.

Primary Dysmenorrhoea

Menstrual pain caused by increased production of endometrial prostaglandins, specifically prostaglandin $F2\alpha$, resulting in increased uterine contractions and ischaemic pain without identifiable pelvic pathology.

Secondary Dysmenorrhoea

Menstrual pain resulting from underlying pelvic pathology such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids.

Primary Amenorrhoea

The absence of menarche by $15$ years of age, or no menarche more than $3$ years after thelarche (breast development).

Secondary Amenorrhoea

The absence of menstruation for $3$ months in previously regular cycles, or $6$ months in previously irregular cycles.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

A severe form of PMS characterized by prominent symptoms of irritability, anxiety, depression, and mood instability.

PALM-COEIN

The FIGO classification system for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB), where PALM categories (Polyp, Adenomyosis, Leiomyoma, Malignancy) represent structural causes and COEIN categories represent non-structural causes.

Endometriosis

A chronic inflammatory disease characterised by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, affecting approximately $1$ in $7$ people assigned female at birth in Australia by age $44-49$ years.

Dyschezia

A clinical manifestation of endometriosis defined as pain on defecation.

Dyspareunia

A clinical manifestation of endometriosis and menopause defined as painful sexual intercourse.

Menopause

The permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from loss of ovarian follicular activity; diagnosed retrospectively after $12$ consecutive months of amenorrhoea.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)

The preferred clinical term (formerly Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT) for the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms and prevention of bone loss.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Tumour suppressor genes; mutations in these genes significantly increase the lifetime risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Peau d'orange

A clinical manifestation of inflammatory breast cancer where the skin has an 'orange peel' appearance due to the obstruction of subcutaneous lymphatics.

In Situ Disease

Breast lesions such as Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) that remain confined within the ducts or lobules and have not invaded surrounding tissue.

Triple Assessment

The Australian best practice for breast cancer diagnosis, comprising Clinical history and physical examination, Imaging (mammography and/or ultrasound), and Tissue diagnosis (core biopsy preferred).

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB)

A standard axillary staging procedure for clinically node-negative breast cancer that identifies the first lymph node(s) draining the tumour site to assess for metastasis.

Hypofractionated Regimens

Modern radiotherapy schedules where treatment is completed over a shorter duration, approximately $3-4$ weeks, rather than the traditional $5-7$ week courses.