Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Home
  • Home
Chapter
  • Print publication year: 2014
  • Online publication date: June 2014

11 - Premature ovarian failure

Export citation

Summary

The purpose of uterine cavity evaluation is to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding, in order that therapy can be appropriately tailored to the woman. This chapter reviews the accuracy and efficacy of currently available tests used to evaluate the uterine cavity. Uterine size can be assessed on bimanual examination; if the uterus is greater in size than 12 weeks of gestation, it may be palpable abdominally. Women with amenorrhoea (no menstrual bleeding for 6 months) should have a full history and examination. Dilatation and curettage (D&C) used to be the method of choice for assessing the uterine cavity. Other methods for assessing the uterine cavity include hysteroscopy, ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, and outpatient endometrial biopsy. Women presenting with postmenopausal bleeding require urgent referral for pelvic ultrasound and further testing, with endometrial biopsy and/or hysteroscopy undertaken depending on the initial ultrasound result.

Keywords:

Related content

Powered by UNSILO

References

1. VujovicS, BrincatM, ErelT, et al.; European Menopause and Andropause Society. EMAS position statement: Managing women with premature ovarian failure. Maturitas 2010;67:91–3.
3. CoulamCB, AdamsonSC, AnnegersJF. Incidence of premature ovarian failure. Obstet Gynecol 1986;67:604–6.
4. ShusterLT, RhodesDJ, GostoutBS, GrossardtBR, RoccaWA. Premature menopause or early menopause: long-term health consequences. Maturitas 2010;65:161–6.
5. MishraG, HardyR, KuhD. Are the effects of risk factors for timing of menopause modified by age? Results from a British birth cohort study. Menopause 2007; 14: 717–24.
6. NelsonLM. Clinical practice. Primary ovarian insufficiency. N Engl J Med 2009;360:606–14.
7. RoccaWA, GrossardtBR, de AndradeM, MalkasianGD, MeltonLJ. Survival patterns after oophorectomy in premenopausal women: a population-based cohort study. Lancet Oncol 2006;7:821–8.
8. The ESHRE Capri Workshop Group. Genetic aspects of female reproduction. Hum Reprod Update 2008;14:293–307.
9. DixitH, RaoL, PadmalathaV, et al. Genes governing premature ovarian failure. Reprod Biomed Online 2010;20:724–40.
10. BastaNO, JamesPW, Gomez-PozoB, CraftAW, McNallyRJ. Survival from childhood cancer in northern England, 1968–2005. Br J Cancer 2011;105:1402–8.
11. ElderK, MathewsT, KutnerE, et al. Impact of gonadotrophin stimulation for assisted reproductive technology on ovarian ageing and menopause. Reprod Biomed Online 2008;16:611–6.
12. WallaceWH, ThomsonAB, SaranF, KelseyTW. Predicting age of ovarian failure after radiation to a field that includes the ovaries. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2005;62:738–44.
13. FarquharCM, SadlerL, HarveySA, StewartAW. The association of hysterectomy and menopause: a prospective cohort study. BJOG 2005;112:956–62.
14. HalmesmäkiKH, HurskainenRA, CacciatoreB, TiitinenA, PaavonenJA. Effect of hysterectomy or LNG-IUS on serum inhibin B levels and ovarian blood flow. Maturitas 2007;57:279–85.
15. HehenkampWJ, VolkersNA, BroekmansFJ, et al. Loss of ovarian reserve after uterine artery embolization: a randomized comparison with hysterectomy. Hum Reprod 2007;22:1996–2005.
16. LambalkCB, van DisseldorpJ, de KoningCH, BroekmansFJ. Testing ovarian reserve to predict age at menopause. Maturitas. 2009;63:280–91.
17. BroekmansFJ, KweeJ, HendriksDJ, MolBW, LambalkCB. A systematic review of tests predicting ovarian reserve and IVF outcome. Hum Reprod Update 2006;12:685–718.
18. AndersonRA, NelsonSM, WallaceWH. Measuring anti-Müllerian hormone for the assessment of ovarian reserve: When and for whom is it indicated?Maturitas 2012;71:28–33.
19. Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care Clinical Effectiveness Unit. FFPRHC Guidance Contraception for women aged over 40 years. July 2010 [http://www.fsrh.org/pdfs/ContraceptionOver40July10.pdf].
20. EwertzM, MellemkjaerL, PoulsenAH, et al. Hormone use for menopausal symptoms and risk of breast cancer. A Danish cohort study. Br J Cancer 2005;92:1293–7.
21. WylieK, ReesM, HackettG, et al. Androgens, health and sexuality in women and men. Maturitas 2010;67:275–89.
22. GroffAA, CovingtonSN, HalversonLR, et al. Assessing the emotional needs of women with spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Fertil Steril 2005;83:1734–41.