The Nurse's Role in Women's Health Care

Vocabulary flashcards covering preventative care, menstrual disorders, gynecological infections, STIs, endometriosis, menopause, breast disorders, family planning, and assisted reproductive technologies.

Vulvar Self Exam

A monthly examination of external genitalia for lesions or masses, recommended for women over 18 years of age or younger if sexually active.

Pap Test

A screening procedure starting at age 21 where a specimen is obtained from the cervix to check for precancerous tissue.

Amenorrhea

The absence of menstrual flow.

Primary Amenorrhea

The absence of both menarche and secondary sex characteristics by age 13, the absence of menses by age 15 regardless of secondary sex characteristics, or the absence of menstruation within 5 years of breast development.

Secondary Amenorrhea

A 3-6 month absence of menses after a prior period of normal menstruation.

Hypogonadotropic Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea stemming from central hypothalamic-pituitary axis problem caused by hypothalamic suppression from stress or severe/sudden weight loss.

Female Athlete Triad (FAT)

A condition characterized by disordered/inadequate energy intake, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis, which increases the risk of bone fractures.

Oligomenorrhea

Infrequent menstrual periods occurring 40-45 days or longer without a period.

Hypomenorrhea

Short, scanty menstrual periods.

Metrorrhagia

Uterine bleeding occurring between regular menstrual periods.

Menorrhagia

Abnormally heavy menses defined as excessive bleeding exceeding $80\,ml$ (compared to the normal amount of $35\,ml$).

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Irregular uterine bleeding occurring without recognizable pelvic pathology, general medical disease, or pregnancy, caused by a disruption in normal cyclic ovulatory hormonal stimulation.

Primary Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation associated with ovulatory cycles caused by excessive prostaglandin release, leading to increased uterine contraction amplitude, vasospasms, and abdominal cramps.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Acquired menstrual pain that develops later in life (typically after age 25), characterized by dull lower abdominal pain that radiates to the back.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

A severe variant of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) requiring 5 or more specific physical or psychological symptoms present for at least two consecutive cycles.

Candidiasis

A vaginal yeast infection causing vulvar and vaginal pruritus, painful urination, and thick, white, lumpy cottage cheese-like discharge with a yeasty odor.

Bacterial Vaginosis

A vaginal infection presenting with profuse, thin, white/gray/milky discharge, a fishy odor, elevated vaginal pH, and clue cells on a wet prep swab.

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

A severe illness caused by strains of Staphylococcus aureus associated with prolonged tampon or contraceptive device use, presenting with sudden fever, hypotension, and a rash resembling sunburn.

Chlamydia

A bacterial STI causing intermenstrual or postcoital spotting, mucoid or purulent discharge, and dysuria; treated with Azithromycin or Doxycycline.

Gonorrhea

A bacterial STI causing greenish-yellow purulent endocervical discharge and menstrual irregularities, treated with Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) IM and Doxycycline.

Syphilis

A bacterial STI presenting in primary (clean, indurated chancre), secondary (maculopapular rash on palms and soles), and tertiary stages; diagnosed via RPR/VDRL and treated with Penicillin G.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

An infection of the upper reproductive tract (cervix, uterine cavity, fallopian tubes, pelvic cavity) often caused by asymptomatic STIs like gonorrhea or chlamydia, which can lead to infertility.

5 Ps of Taking a Sexual History

A structured risk assessment framework covering Partners, Prevention of pregnancy, Protection from STIs, Practices, and Past history of STIs.

Endometriosis

The presence and growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus, leading to dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and bowel symptoms.

Dyspareunia

Painful sexual intercourse.

Perimenopause

A transitional period lasting 6 years or more in a woman's 40s marked by fluctuating estrogen levels and unpredictable, less frequent periods.

Menopause

The complete cessation of menses for 12 consecutive months due to declining estrogen and reduced ovarian follicle response to FSH and LH.

Fibrocystic Changes

Cyclical, hormone-related breast changes occurring in the luteal phase causing bilateral tender, rubbery, mobile breast lumps that resolve with the start of menses.

Fibroadenoma

The most common benign solid breast mass, presenting in women aged 20-30 as discrete, solitary, painless, rubbery, mobile lumps less than $3\,cm$ in diameter.

Mammary Duct Ectasia

Periductal mastitis in middle-aged premenopausal women presenting with dilated ducts, nipple inversion, green discharge, and inflammation.

Galactorrhea

Nipple discharge normal in pregnancy, but indicative of elevated prolactin from thyroid disorders, pituitary tumors, or medications in other states.

Intraductal Papilloma

A relatively rare benign papillary proliferation of lactiferous duct epithelium presenting as a subareolar lump with bloody nipple discharge.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

A synthetic estrogen prescribed between 1940 and 1971 linked to a specific cervical cancer form and fertility issues in children exposed in utero.

Spinnbarkeit

The stretchable quality of clear, thin cervical mucus (stretching up to $6\,cm$ or more) around the time of ovulation.

ACHES

An acronym detailing danger signs for oral contraceptive complications: Abdominal pain, Chest pain, Headaches, Eye/visual changes, and Severe leg pain.

PAINS

An acronym detailing danger signs for IUD complications: Period late/abnormal bleeding, Abdominal pain, Infection exposure, Not feeling well (fever/chills), and String missing.

Depo-Provera

An injectable progestin contraceptive given every 3 months that should be discontinued after 2 consecutive years of use due to loss of bone density.

Clomiphene (Clomid)

An ovarian stimulation medication used in medical infertility management to stimulate ovulation when ovarian reserve is sufficient.

In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET)

An assisted reproductive technology procedure where mature eggs are retrieved, fertilized in vitro, and transferred to the uterus on day 5.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

An ART procedure used when sperm quality is low, where a single sperm cell is injected directly into a mature egg.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)

An ART procedure where retrieved unfertilized eggs and semen are directly transferred into the fallopian tube to permit natural fertilization.

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)

An ART procedure where eggs are fertilized in vitro and the resulting zygote is transferred directly into the fallopian tube.