Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common disease that affects 6 – 10% of women in their reproductive years¹. It is defined as the presence of endometrium-like tissue in locations other than the endometrium (the lining of the uterus)². Symptoms of endometriosis include chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (pain during menstruation), constipation, diarrhoea and infertility¹ ².

Treatment options include analgesia (pain medication), hormone therapy, and surgical intervention². The choice of treatment for endometriosis depends on factors such as the age of the patient, desire for pregnancy, degree of pain experienced, and the quality of life of the patient¹.

References

¹Streuli I, et al. An update on the pharmacological management of endometriosis. Expert Opin. Pharmacother. 14(3) 291-305 (2013)

²Alkatout I, et al. Combined surgical and hormone therapy for endometriosis is the most effective treatment: prospective, randomized, controlled trial. The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2013.01.019 Article in Press

Uterine Myomas

Uterine myomas are the most common type of benign (non-cancerous) tumours that affect women in the reproductive years¹. The majority of women who have uterine myomas do not experience any symptoms. The most frequent symptom associated with a uterine myoma is excessive menstrual bleeding².

It is unknown what causes myomas to develop¹, however their growth is associated with the presence of oestrogen². Treatment for uterine myomas includes the use of medication to reduce the amount of oestrogen in the body, and surgical options such as a myomectomy² (surgical removal of myomas).

Reference:

¹.Su, W et al. Typical and atypical clinical presentation of uterine myomas. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association 75:486-493 (2012)

².Duhan, N & Sirohiwal, D. Uterine myomas revisited. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 152:119-125 (2010)

Hyperprolactinaemia

The hormone prolactin is secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain¹. One of the functions of prolactin is the production of breast milk in mothers².

Hyperprolactinaemia is a disease that is characterised by abnormally high production of prolactin by the pituitary gland. There are several possible causes of hyperprolactinaemia³:

• Physiological causes such as pregnancy or stress
• Certain medications
• A hormone-secreting tumour in the pituitary gland

Female patients who develop hyperprolactinaemia may experience symptoms such as menstrual disturbances (such as little or no menstrual bleeding), breast milk production, reduced libido, and infertility³.

Hyperprolactinaemia can be treated using medicines called dopamine agonists³.

Reference:

 ¹Kruger TF & Botha MH. Clinical Gynaecology. Third Edition. Juta & Co. Ltd (2007)

 ²Waugh A & Grant A. Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 10th Edition. Churchill Livingstone (2007)

 ³Barlier A & Jaquet P. Quinagolide -  a valuable treatment option for hyperprolactinaemia. European Journal of Endocrinology 154: 187-195 (2006)