Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Reproductive system > 10- The end of reproductive life > Flashcards

10- The end of reproductive life Flashcards

1
Q

what is mensopause

A

the ceasing of menstruation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

greek menopause translation

A
  • From the Greek “mens” meaning “monthly’’ and
  • “pausis” meaning “cessation”.
  • Menopause is a part of a women’s natural ageing process
  • It is when her ovaries produce lower level of the oestrogen and progesterone
  • She is therefore no longer able to become pregnant.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

basic physiology behind menopause

A

Normal decline in ovarian function due to ageing begins in most women between ages 45 to 55 on average 50

Results in infrequent ovulation

Decreased menstrual function and eventually cessation of menstrual function and eventually cessation of menstruation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

2 definitions for menopause

A
  • Permanent cessation of menstruation at the end of reproductive life due to loss of ovarian follicular activity
    • Defo of menopause: defined as the time when there has been no menstrual periods for 12 consecutive month and no other biological or physiological cause can be identified
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

early menopause

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

premature menopause

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Physiologic menopaus

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Pathologic menopause

A

The gradual or abrupt cessation of menstruation before 40 years occurs idiopathically in about 5% of women in USA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

how many menopausal phases

A

Phase broken down into four categories

  1. Premenopausal slight changes in FSH/LH levels but cycle will be relatively normal)
  2. Peri-menopausal (transition menopause starts to happen to the cycle)
  3. Menopause
  4. Post menopause

FSH is big indicator that menopause is taking place- but no follicle left to stimulate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

pre-menopause definition

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

peri-menopause

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

climacteric

A

physiological period in a womens life where there is regression of ovarian function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

post menopause

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

which hormone is the biggest indicator that menopause is taking place

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

reproductive ageing graph

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

why do levels of oestrogen decrease before and during menopause

A
  • by 45 years old only a few primordial follicles (producing oestrogen) remain to be stimulated by FSH and LH
    *
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

why do we see an increase in FSH (esp) and LH

A

When oestrogen production falls below a critical value (few primordial follicles remaining) the oestrogens can no longer inhibit production of gonadotrophin (FSH and LH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

as women age the quantitu and quality of ovarian follicle pool

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

summary of the cause of menopause

A

Menopause occurs when the ovaries are totally depleted of follicles and no amount of stimulation from gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) can force them to work

i.e primary ovarian failure

Cessation of menstrual cycles

Average age ~50, but variable

No more follicles to develop

Oestrogen levels fall dramatically

FSH & LH levels rise, FSH dramatically

No inhibin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

FSH levels rise dramatically due to there being

A

no inhibin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) during menopause

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

physiological symptoms of menopause

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

bloating caused by

A

Loss of oestrogen = loss of smooth muscle tone in the gut, leads to bloating or constipation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Physiological symptoms

A
  • Itching- psoriasis
  • Restless limbs
  • Change in body temperature- increased sweating
  • Sleep changes – feel more sleepy during the day (due to restless nights? See temp changes)
  • Bloating
  • Mood changes
25
Q

mood changes and forgetfullness caused by

A

Psychological changes- oestrogen and serotonin

26
Q
  • early consequences of loss of oestrogen
A
  • hot flushes
  • sweating
  • insomnia
  • menstrual irregularity
  • psychological symptoms
27
Q

intermediate consequences of loss of oestrogen

A
  • vaginal atropy
  • dyspareunia
  • skin atrophy
  • urge-stress incontinence
28
Q

late consequences of loss of oestrogen

A

osteoporosis

atherosclerosis

CHD

Cardiovascular disease

Alzheimers

29
Q

what are hot flushes driven by

A

The hot flush driven by effects on the vasomotor system

  • Vascular changes
  • Effects 80% to some degree
  • Transient rises in skin temp and flushing
  • Relieved by oestrogen treatment
30
Q

The hot flush driven by effects on the vasomotor system

A
  • Vascular changes
  • Effects 80% to some degree
  • Transient rises in skin temp and flushing

Relieved by oestrogen treatment

31
Q

symptoms of dyfunctional uterine bleeding

A

Spotting between cycles

Extremely heavy bleeding

Mid-cycle bleeding

Longer, shorter, or unpredictable lengths of time between periods

Longer, shorter or unpredictable durations of periods

32
Q

cause of dyfunctional uterine bleeding

A

Changes in Oestrogen

Causes the endometrium to keep thickening

Leads to a late menstrual period followed by irregular bleeding and spotting

Greater thickening – hyperplasia

No corpus luteum= no progesterone

Increased risk of carcinoma (unopposed oestrogen) aromatisation

33
Q

changes in oestrogen and dysfunctional uterine bleeding

A

Causes the endometrium to keep thickening

Leads to a late menstrual period followed by irregular bleeding and spotting

Greater thickening – hyperplasia

No corpus luteum= no progesterone

Increased risk of carcinoma (unopposed oestrogen) aromatisation

34
Q

The psychological changes are mainly manifested by

A
  • frequent headache
  • irritability
  • fatigue
  • depression and insomnia
35
Q

psychological changes thought to be less related to hormones and more related to

A

more likely to be related to the loss of sleep due to night sweat.

36
Q

Diminished interest in sex may be due

A

to emotional upset or may be secondary to painful intercourse due to a dry vagina.

37
Q

changes to the ovaries

A

The ovaries become smaller (atrophic)

  • Oestrogen production decreases
  • Will have produced small amount of androgen during reproductive life
  • Important as aromatase converts androgens to oestrogens in ovary and adipose tissue
  • After menopause the substantially increased gonadotropin levels maintain ovarian androgen secretion despite substantial oestrogen demise
38
Q

changes to skin

A

The skin loses its elasticity and becomes thin and fine. This is due to the loss of elastin and collagen from the skin.

39
Q

changes in weight

A

weight increase is more likely to be the result of irregular food habit due to mood swing . There is more deposition of fat around hips, waist and buttocks.

40
Q

hair changes

A

Hair become dry and coarse after menopause . There may be hair loss due to the decreasing level of oestrogen.

41
Q

voice changes

A

Voice become deeper due to thickening of vocal cords.

42
Q

GI tract changes

A

Motor activity of the entire digestive tract is diminished after menopause.

The intestines tend to be sluggish resulting in constipation.

43
Q

changes to the urinary system

A

As the oestrogen level decreases after menopause, the tissue lining the urethra and the bladder become drier, thinner and less elastic .

  • Changes in bladder
  • loss of pelvic tone (see pelvic floor lecture)
  • Urinary incontinence
  • This can lead to increased frequency of passing urine as well as an

increased tendency to develop UTI.

44
Q

changes to the uterus

A

•The uterus can become small and fibrotic due to atrophy of the muscles after the menopauses

45
Q

changes to the cervix

A

•The cervix become smaller and appears to become flush (closer) with vagina. In older women the cervix may be very difficult to identify separately from vagina

Thinning of cervix

Vaginal rugae lost

46
Q

vulva changes

A

The fat in the labia majora and the Mons pubis decreases and pubic hair become sparse.

47
Q

breast changes

A
  • In thin built women the breast become flat and shrivelled
  • In heavy built women they remain flabby and pendulous
48
Q

Menopause causes significant changes in bone

A
  • Calcium loss from the bone is increased in the first five years after the onset of menopause, resulting in a loss of bone density.
  • The calcium moves out of the bones, leaving them weak and liable to fracture at the smallest stress.
    • Bone mass reduces by 2.5% per year for several years
    • Reduced oestrogen enhances osteoclast ability to absorb bone
    • Osteoporosis (reduced osteoclast activity)
  • Much greater in some than others
    • Major reason for fractures in later life
    • Can be limited by oestrogen therapy
49
Q

why is calcium loss from the bone increased in the first five years after the onset of menopause, resulting in a loss of bone density?

A

Reduced oestrogen enhances osteoclast ability to absorb bone

Osteoporosis (reduced osteoclast activity)

50
Q

reduction in bone density can be reduced by

A

oestrogen therapy

alendronic acid

51
Q

cholesterol changes

A

Increased cholesterol level in the blood: Hyperlipidemia or an increase in the level of cholesterol and lipids in the blood is common.

–> due to lack of oestrogen and progesterone

52
Q

cardiovascular system changes due to lack of oestrogen and progesterone

A
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • The lack of oestrogen and progesterone

causes many changes in women’s physiology that affect their health and well-being .

changes in the metabolism of the body.

Increased cholesterol level in the blood: Hyperlipidemia or an increase in the level of cholesterol and lipids in the blood is common.

•Gradual rise in the risk of heart disease and stroke after menopause

53
Q

body composition changes

A

women gain fat mass and lose lean body mass

54
Q

glucose metabolism changes

A

insulin resistance increases

insulin sensitivity decreases

55
Q
A
56
Q

interventions to limit the symptoms of menopause

A
  • There are variety of menopausal treatments both natural and medical that can alleviate the symptom of menopause:
  • Dressing in light layers can alleviate hot flashes and night sweats; avoiding caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods can also minimize these symptoms.
  • Menopause and weight gain tend to go together due to life style changes than to the hormonal changes .
  • Reducing dietary fat intake and regular exercise help to combat weight gain during menopause.
57
Q

•HRT can be administered

A

•HRT can be administered orally

in pill form,

Vaginally (oestrogen as a cream: can help with UI),

Trans-dermally (in patch form)

58
Q

how does HRT work

A

•Due to it replacing female hormones produced by the ovaries, hormone

replacement therapy minimises menopause symptoms. It can be used before, during and after menopause.

  • Can improve well-being
  • Can limit osteoporosis

Current advice no longer recommended for first line protection

• Not advised for cardio-protection

59
Q
A

Reproductive system (28 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions