Review of migraine incidence and management in obstetrics and gynaecology.

PURPOSE: Migraines are the third most prevalent disorder, and seventh-highest specific cause of disability worldwide. Migraines have a multitude of underlying aetiologies; the pathology may come as a result of hormonal treatment or as a sole symptom during menstrual cycle or pregnancy, with variable intensity and duration. In addition, clinicians should be fully aware of the potential complications and well-versed in management options. METHODS: A systematic review of the incidence, symptoms, treatment options and complications among women suffering from migraines in gynaecology, as well as obstetrical cases has been performed. The significance of migraines as a marker in antenatal care and contraception treatment has also been investigated. RESULTS: The incidence of migraines in gynaecological and obstetrical cases, and contraceptive users were 11.7-12.5 %, 9-38.5 %, and 16.7-54.7% respectively. There is an average six-fold increase in the risk of stroke in women who take combined hormonal contraception and suffer from migraines. Four papers with 1565 patients proposed the combination of triptans along with the progesterone only pill. Desogestrel 75mcg/day was found to reduce the intensity of migraines compared to the combined hormonal contraceptives. The risk of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and preterm birth was found to be increased in pregnant women suffering from migraines. CONCLUSION: Migraines have a high incidence in gynaecology and obstetrics. Health care providers must include screening questions when history taking to identify women with migraines and effectively manage them. Proper follow-up and treatment is required for all women with migraines in order to minimize the risk of cerebrovascular events, and negative pregnancy outcomes. Women with migraines are advised to avoid combined hormonal contraception and use progesterone only pills.

The management of polyps in female reproductive organs.

Polyps of the lower reproductive tract are found in 7.8-50% of women. It has been hypothesized that cytogenetic modifications on chromosomes 6, 7 and 12 as well as epigenetic factors involving enzyme and metabolic activities may cause polyps to develop. Cervical polyps found in 2-5% of cases are of low clinical significance and can cause, although rarely, post coital bleedings. Cervical polyps grow during pregnancy and mucorrhoea. Trans vaginal ultrasound (TVU) provides an excellent diagnostic technique to diagnose the size and the anatomic location of endometrial polyps (EPs). In asymptomatic young woman with small EPs <10 mm in size, conservative management can be safely followed by monitoring the polyp growth. EPs located at the fundal and tubocornual regions mechanically affect fertility and disturb normal cellular function due to chronic inflammation. In cases where Eps are a cause of subfertility mechanical hysteroscopic resection is advisable. When the sole reason for infertility is an EP, the patient often becomes spontaneously pregnant shortly after removal. EP Detection in either peri- or post-menopausal age, in symptomatic or asymptomatic patients calls for meticulous hysteroscopic examination and polypectomy is mandatory. Endometrial curettage is also recommended to rule out sub clinical endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. Hysteroscopic surgery for large EPs using bipolar resectoscopes, hysteroscopic morcellators or shavers are considered equally efficient and safe under general anaesthesia. Recurrence rate of EPs after resection is unknown. The recent advances in TVU and hysteroscopy, however, should provide an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of polyp in the female reproductive tract with minimal recurrence or surgery complications. The significantly increased incidence of colorectal polyps in cohorts that also had EPs might indicate that patients with EPs should be also referred for colonoscopy. EPs have the lowest incidence of malignant transformation as compared to colon, urinary bladder, oropharyngeal, nasal and laryngeal carcinomas.