Study Guide: Pathophysiology & Aging Concepts
I. Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Structural & Position Disorders
● Uterine Prolapse: Descent of the uterus due to relaxation of supporting structures
(uterosacral/cardinal ligaments)1.
○ Manifestations: Sensation of bearing down, vaginal discomfort, difficulty urinating.
● Cystocele: Protrusion of the bladder into the vagina due to a defect in the vaginal wall.
● Rectocele: Protrusion of the anterior rectal wall into the posterior vagina.
○ Manifestations: Difficulty with bowel evacuation, constipation, feeling of pressure.
● Retroplacement: The uterus moves to a posterior position in the pelvis; can cause pelvic
pain or infertility.
Inflammation & Infection
● Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Inflammation of the cervix, uterus, oviducts, and
ovaries.
○ Etiology: Often caused by Gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
○ Manifestations: Abdominal tenderness, cervical pain, fever, elevated WBC, purulent
discharge.
● Vulvovaginitis: Inflammation of the vulva and vagina caused by organisms like Candida
albicans (yeast) or chemicals.
○ Risk Factors: Diabetes (glucose promotes yeast growth), antibiotics, estrogen
supplements.
Abnormal Growths & Malignancies
Condition Pathophysiology & Etiology Manifestations
Uterine Fibroids Estrogen-dependent tumor Abdominal pain/pressure,
(Leiomyomas) growth. vaginal bleeding, backache.
Endometriosis Endometrial tissue located Dysmenorrhea, severe
outside the uterine cavity. abdominal pain, dyspareunia,
, infertility.
Cervical Cancer Neoplasm in the cervix; Vaginal bleeding, persistent
strongly linked to HPV. discharge, pain after
intercourse.
Endometrial Cancer Cancer of the endometrial
lining. Bleeding between periods or
post-menopause.
Ovarian Cancer Leading cause of death from
genital cancer. Late diagnosis common:
Increased abdominal girth,
weight loss, abdominal pain.
Breast Cancer Malignant cells in breast tissue; Painless, hard, immovable
BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations lump; nipple retraction; skin
increase risk. dimpling.
II. Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Inflammation & Infection
● Epididymitis: Inflammation of the testis caused by bacteria or sexually transmitted
organisms.
○ Manifestations: Enlarged/reddened scrotum, fever, pain radiating along the
spermatic cord.
● Fournier Gangrene: A severe, fatal gangrenous necrosis of the scrotum/genitalia.
● Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate, often bacterial (E. Coli).
○ Acute: Fever, chills, low back pain, dysuria.
Obstructions & Dysfunction
● Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Hyperplasia (tissue increase) of the prostate
gland that compresses the urethra.
○ Manifestations: Decreased stream, hesitancy, difficulty initiating voiding, urinary
retention.
● Urethral Strictures: Fibrotic narrowing of the urethra caused by scar tissue from prior
I. Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Structural & Position Disorders
● Uterine Prolapse: Descent of the uterus due to relaxation of supporting structures
(uterosacral/cardinal ligaments)1.
○ Manifestations: Sensation of bearing down, vaginal discomfort, difficulty urinating.
● Cystocele: Protrusion of the bladder into the vagina due to a defect in the vaginal wall.
● Rectocele: Protrusion of the anterior rectal wall into the posterior vagina.
○ Manifestations: Difficulty with bowel evacuation, constipation, feeling of pressure.
● Retroplacement: The uterus moves to a posterior position in the pelvis; can cause pelvic
pain or infertility.
Inflammation & Infection
● Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Inflammation of the cervix, uterus, oviducts, and
ovaries.
○ Etiology: Often caused by Gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
○ Manifestations: Abdominal tenderness, cervical pain, fever, elevated WBC, purulent
discharge.
● Vulvovaginitis: Inflammation of the vulva and vagina caused by organisms like Candida
albicans (yeast) or chemicals.
○ Risk Factors: Diabetes (glucose promotes yeast growth), antibiotics, estrogen
supplements.
Abnormal Growths & Malignancies
Condition Pathophysiology & Etiology Manifestations
Uterine Fibroids Estrogen-dependent tumor Abdominal pain/pressure,
(Leiomyomas) growth. vaginal bleeding, backache.
Endometriosis Endometrial tissue located Dysmenorrhea, severe
outside the uterine cavity. abdominal pain, dyspareunia,
, infertility.
Cervical Cancer Neoplasm in the cervix; Vaginal bleeding, persistent
strongly linked to HPV. discharge, pain after
intercourse.
Endometrial Cancer Cancer of the endometrial
lining. Bleeding between periods or
post-menopause.
Ovarian Cancer Leading cause of death from
genital cancer. Late diagnosis common:
Increased abdominal girth,
weight loss, abdominal pain.
Breast Cancer Malignant cells in breast tissue; Painless, hard, immovable
BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations lump; nipple retraction; skin
increase risk. dimpling.
II. Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Inflammation & Infection
● Epididymitis: Inflammation of the testis caused by bacteria or sexually transmitted
organisms.
○ Manifestations: Enlarged/reddened scrotum, fever, pain radiating along the
spermatic cord.
● Fournier Gangrene: A severe, fatal gangrenous necrosis of the scrotum/genitalia.
● Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate, often bacterial (E. Coli).
○ Acute: Fever, chills, low back pain, dysuria.
Obstructions & Dysfunction
● Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Hyperplasia (tissue increase) of the prostate
gland that compresses the urethra.
○ Manifestations: Decreased stream, hesitancy, difficulty initiating voiding, urinary
retention.
● Urethral Strictures: Fibrotic narrowing of the urethra caused by scar tissue from prior
