17. Menopause Flashcards
Define: Menopause (2)
- lack of menses for 1 yr
- types of menopause
- physiological; average age 51 yr (follicular atresia)
- primary ovarian insufficiency; before age 40 (autoimmune disorder, infection, Turner’s syndrome)
- iatrogenic (surgical/radiation/chemotherapy)
Describe clinical features: Menopause (5)
- associated with estrogen deficiency
- vasomotor instability (tends to dissipate with time)
- hot flushes/flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, formication, nausea, palpitations
- urogenital atrophy involving vagina, urethra, bladder
- dyspareunia, pruritus, vaginal dryness, bleeding, post-coital bleeding, urinary frequency, urgency, incontinence
- inspection may reveal: thinning of tissues, erythema, petechiae, bleeding points, dryness on speculum exam
- skeletal
- osteoporosis, joint and muscle pain, back pain
- skin and soft tissue
- decreased breast size, skin thinning/loss of elasticity
- psychological
- increased anxiety, depression, irritability, fatigue, decreased libido, memory loss
- vasomotor instability (tends to dissipate with time)
Describe investigations: Menopause (3)
- increased levels of FSH (>35 IU/L) on day 3 of cycle (if still cycling) and LH (FSH>LH)
- FSH level not always predictive due to monthly variation; use absence of menses for 1 yr to diagnose
- decreased levels of estradiol (later)
Describe tx of menopause for: Vasomotor Instability (7)
- HRT (first line)
- SSRI
- venlafaxine
- gabapentin
- propranaolol
- clonidine
- acupuncture
Describe tx of menopause for: Vaginal Atrophy (6)
Local estrogen:
- cream (Premarin®)
- vaginal suppository (VagiFem®)
- ring (Estring®)
- lubricants (Replens®)
- oral or transdermal hormone replacement therapy
- intravaginal laser
Describe tx of menopause for: Urogenital Health (3)
- Lifestyle changes (weight loss, bladder re-training)
- local estrogen replacement
- surgery
Describe tx of menopause for: Osteoporosis (7)
- 1000-1500 mg calcium OD
- 800-1000 IU vitamin D
- weight- bearing exercise
- smoking cessation
- bisphosphonates (e.g. alendronate)
- selective estrogen receptor modifiers (SERMs) (e.g.raloxifene [Evista®])
- HRT (second-line treatment)
Describe tx of menopause for: Decreased Libido (3)
- Vaginal lubrications
- counselling
- androgen-replacement testoterone cream or the oral form (Andriol®)
Describe tx of menopause for: Cardiovascular disease (1)
Manage CVD risk factors
Describe tx of menopause for: Mood And Memory (2)
- Anti- depressants (first line)
- HRT (augments effect)
Describe: Menopause Pathophysiology (Figure)
Name the single most important health hazard associated with menopause
Osteoporosisis
Name the leading cause of death post-menopause (1)
Cardiovascular disease
Increased risk of breast cancer is associated with which HRT? (1)
estrogen+progesterone HRT, but not with estrogen-only HRT
All women taking HRT should have what type of surveillance? (1)
periodic surveillance and counselling regarding its benefits and risks