| Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | failure to achieve pregnancy during one year of frequent, unprotected sex |  | 
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        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | incapable of producing offspring |  | 
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        | Term 
 
        | definition of oligomenorrhea |  | Definition 
 
        | interval between vaginal bleeding >/= 35 days 
 patient typically ovulates, but less often
 
 weak predictor of infertility
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | interval between vaginal bleeding > 6 months 
 patient may only rarely ovulate
 
 strong predictor of infertility
 |  | 
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        | Term 
 
        | the burden of infertility upon patient well-being |  | Definition 
 
        | emotional (depression, relationships), financial, and the susceptibility to questionable or fraudulent therapies 
 infertility often co-exists with secondary depression (15-54%)
 
 infertility places extreme pressure on interpersonal relationships
 often leads to marital difficulties and/or sexual dysfunction
 
 financial burden of infertility treatments can be immense
 
 women with infertility may be more susceptible to claims of questionable or fraudulent therapies
 |  | 
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        | Term 
 
        | signs and symptoms of clinical disease to screen for patients who require immediate physician attention to address "fertility issues" |  | Definition 
 
        | WOMEN: 
 menstrual cycle:
 regularity
 catamenial symptoms
 
 abdominal or vaginal pain
 
 overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity are associated with decreased rates of conception
 
 excessive caffeine may decrease fertility
 
 MEN:
 
 signs or symptoms of hypogonadism
 
 lifestyle modifications that can increase testosterone levels, sprem count, and/or sperm motility:
 avoid tobacco and marijuana
 some pesticides are associated with low sperm count (especially with commercial use)
 increasing weight bearing exercise can increase testosterone levels
 |  | 
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        | Term 
 
        | visual saliva fertility detection method |  | Definition 
 
        | increased estradiol levels lead to increased NaCl concentration in saliva 3-4 days before ovulation and 2 days after ovulation 
 salt crystalizes into "fern pattern"
 
 "traditional" method for detecting ovulation
 
 15-20% of women do not "fern" during ovulation
 
 must wait 2 hours after eating, drinking, or smoking
 
 commercial visual saliva kits may offer no real advantage over less expensive visual methods
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | urine LH fertility detection method |  | Definition 
 
        | detects LH surge 14-48 hours prior to ovulation 
 cost ~ $50 for 2 kits
 
 test strip kits and midstream kits:
 both are reliable
 patient preference
 
 MORE ACCURATE THAN SALIVA METHOD; USUALLY USED FIRST LINE
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | transdermal ovulation prediction |  | Definition 
 
        | sensor worn on wrist detects increasing chloride ion levels in the sweat prior to ovulation 
 user begins device at night on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd day of menstrual cycle
 
 MAY PROVIDE THE EARLIEST METHOD OF DETECTING OVULATION
 
 very expensive:  ~ $200 per 3 months of use
 
 may be ineffective if too much or too little sweat
 too much sweat or exposure to water may damage device
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | basal body temperature charting fertility detection method |  | Definition 
 
        | increase from 97F to 98F or higher 
 rise in temperature occurs 2 days after LH surge
 |  | 
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        | Term 
 
        | mid-luteal progesterone level fertility detection method |  | Definition 
 
        | evaluates corpus luteal production of progesterone |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | methods used in OTC sperm analysis kits and counseling for patients on their use |  | Definition 
 
        | visual analysis of sperm count and motility 
 not the easiest thing for a novice to perform accurately
 
 RECOMMEND PROFESSIONAL ANALYSIS
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | WHO classifications of anovulation (based on laboratory findings and/or clinical presentation; average incidence of the 3 sub-groups) |  | Definition 
 
        | WHO 1: decreased FSH AND E2 levels
 ~5% of patients
 hypothalamic/pituitary failure
 
 WHO 2:
 normal FSH AND E2 levels
 ~80-85% of patients
 hypothalamic/pituitary dysfunction (PCOS)
 
 WHO 3:  increased FSH and decreased E2
 ~10% of patients
 ovarian failure (menopause)
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | step-wise treatment algorithm for WHO 2 patients:  traditional |  | Definition 
 
        | 1.  Clomiphene Citrate (CC) 
 2.  Gonadotropins (FSH) +/- Clomiphene Citrate
 
 3.  in vitro fertilization (IVF) +/- Comiphene Citrate +/- FSH
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | step-wise treatment algorithms for WHO 2 patients:  optional revised version |  | Definition 
 
        | 1.  Clomiphene Citrate 
 2.  consider metformin for signs/symptoms of PCOS
 
 3.  gonadotropins (FSH) +/- Clomiphene Citrate
 
 4.  in vitro fertilization +/- Clomiphene Citrate +/- FSH
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | clomiphene citrate: 
 singletone live birth rate
 multiple live birth rate
 average time to pregnancy
 |  | Definition 
 
        | cumulative singleton live birth rate:  37% 
 multiple live birth rate:  2%
 
 average time to pregnancy 11.4 months
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | gonadotropins (FSH) 
 singleton live birth rate
 average time to pregnancy
 |  | Definition 
 
        | cumulative singleton live birth rate:  43% 
 average time to pregnancy:  11.4 months
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | in vitro fertilization 
 singletone live birth rate
 |  | Definition 
 
        | cumulative singleton live birth rate:  28% 
 MULTIPLE LIVE BIRTH RATE HIGHEST WITH IVF STRATEGIES USING MULTIPLE PRE-EMBRYOS
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | combination clomiphene citrate and FSH 
 singletone live birth rate
 multiple live birth rate
 average time to pregnancy
 |  | Definition 
 
        | cumulative singleton live birth rate:  71% 
 multiple live birth rate:  7%
 
 average time to pregnancy:  11.4 months
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | combination IVF, clomiphene citrate, and FSH 
 singleton live birth rate
 |  | Definition 
 
        | cumulative singleton live birth rate:  77% |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | clomiphene citration 
 typical timing and duration of doses
 methods used for determining success
 when to consider treatment failure
 |  | Definition 
 
        | typical timing and duration of doses: 
 initiate on days 3-4 post spontaneous or MPA-induced withdrawal bleed
 typically dose for 5 days
 increase dose each cycle if ovulation does not occur
 
 methods used for determining success:
 
 CC has antiestrogenic effects on the hypothalmus which stimulates FSH and LH = follicular rupture
 serum LH levels
 
 when to consider treatment failure:
 
 treatment duration ~1 year
 
 predictors of failure with CC treatment alone:
 obesity
 amenorrhea prior to treatment
 increased ovarian volume
 hyperadrogenemia
 older age (?)
 (all similar to PCOS)
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | gonadotropins:  FSH 
 typical timing and duration of doses
 
 methods used for determining success
 |  | Definition 
 
        | typical timing and duration of doses: 
 low-dose, step-up protocol:
 patient specific dosing beginning on DAY 6-7 OF CYCLE
 dose increased if no response on ultrasonography or in serum estradiol
 
 methods used for determining success:
 
 ultrasounds every 2-3 days to visualize follicle development
 human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) given once one follicle is mature to induce ovulation
 monitor serum estradiol (E2) levels to determine adequate response
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | counseling points on clomiphene citrate |  | Definition 
 
        | side effects: headaches
 hot flashes
 breast tenderness
 bloating
 N/V
 ocular effects
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | counseling points on FSH therapy |  | Definition 
 
        | contraception should be instituted in patients when >/= 3 dominant follicles develop to avoid multiple live births |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | differentiate between available gonadotropin products (source, administration, and FSH and LH content) |  | Definition 
 
        | urine sources: 
 typically IM adminstration
 
 chorionic gonadotropin
 mimics action of LH
 from urine of pregnant women
 
 menotropin (eqaal ratio of FSH and LH)
 from urine of postmenopausal woemn
 
 recombinant preparations (rFSH):
 
 typically sub-Q adminstration
 
 more pure and with less variability than urine sources
 
 more expensive, but most widely used due to predictability
 
 follitropin alpha and follitropin beta equally efficatious
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | signs and symptoms of PCOS |  | Definition 
 
        | cause is largely unknown 
 increased insulin levels decrease hepatic production of sex hormone binding globulin, resulting in higher concentration of free androgens in the blood
 
 irregular menses
 
 masculinization
 relative functional hyperandrogenism
 estrogen levels may not be decreased, but estrogen effects are decreased
 
 obesity (cause vs. effect?)
 fat represents a site of intense sex hormone metabolism resulting from steroidogenic enzymes, such as aromatase
 
 infertility and 1st trimester spontaneous abortion are common with PCOS
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | patients at risk for PCOS |  | Definition 
 
        | risk factors:  genetics, obesity, diabetes 
 PCOS is more prevalent in African American women
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 | Definition 
 
        | weight loss to near ideal body weight is the most effective therapy caloric restriction
 folic acid 1 mg per day
 physical exercise:  weight bearing and aerobic
 
 metformin:  first line drug therapy
 metformin therapy has shown to improve both fertility and 1st trimester spontaneous abortion
 normal menses resumes in 55-90% of women
 no teratogenicity has been noted with use of metformin in pregnancy
 use metformin regardless of diabetes co-incidence
 indicated if patient has history of spontaneous abortion despite weight loss
 addition of clomiphene citrate
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | signs and symptoms of endometriosis |  | Definition 
 
        | pelvic pain 
 dysmenorrhea
 
 pain with intercourse
 
 increase in menstruation
 
 inferility
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | definition of endometriosis |  | Definition 
 
        | growth of estrogen-dependent endometrial tissue outside the uterus |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | common sites of endometriosis |  | Definition 
 
        | ovaries 
 fallopian tubes
 
 outer surface of uterus
 
 uterine ligaments
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | drug therapies that treat the symptoms of endometriosis |  | Definition 
 
        | NSAIDs 
 oral contraceptives - continuous
 
 GnRH antagonists
 
 gonadotropin inhibitor:  danazol
 MOA:  blocks ovarian stimulating hormones to prevent menstruation
 ADRs:  acne, facial hair
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | only effective therapy for treating endometriosis-induced inferility |  | Definition 
 
        | surgery 
 NO DRUG THERAPY WILL TREAT ENDOMETRIOSIS-INDUCED INFERILITY
 |  | 
        |  | 
        
        | Term 
 
        | what herbs are promoted to treat "female reproductive complaints"? |  | Definition 
 
        | red clover blossom licorice
 chastetree berry
 black cohosh
 dong quai
 wild yam
 false unicorn root
 |  | 
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