17. Menopause And The Menopausal Woman Flashcards
What is the definition of the menopause?
The time when there has been no menstrual period for 12 consecutive months and no other biological or physiological cause can be identified.
What is the average age of menopause?
45-55 years, average 50 years.
What is the premenopausal and what happens?
Time prior to the menopause, where changes in menstrual cycle start to occur. The follicular phase shortens, ovulation is early or absent, less eggs available to develop into follicles, so corpus luteum, less oestrogen is secreted, LH and FSH levels rise as reduced negative feedback, leads to reduced fertility.
What is the perimenopause and what happens?
Transition phase characterised by the physiological changes associated with the end of reproductive capacity, terminating with the completion of the menopause.
What is the post-menopause and what does it involve?
The time after which a woman has experienced 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea without period.
What is pathological menopause?
Gradual or abrupt cessation of menstruation before 40 years. Occurs idiopathically in about 5% of women.
When is it no longer possible for a woman to become pregnant?
12 months after cessation of menstruation (so at the menopause). Before then, whilst the quality of eggs has declined significantly, as have the number of follicles, if it still possible to become pregnant.
What hormone is measured to diagnose physiological menopause?
FSH.
Why aren’t oestrogen levels measured to diagnose physiological menopause?
Is not just produced by the ovaries, can also be produced by adipose tissues etc.
Give 4 symptoms seen in early menopause?
Hot flushes. Sweating. Insomnia. Menstrual irregularity. Psychological symptoms eg headache, irritability, fatigue, depression, insomnia.
Give 3 symptoms seen in intermediate menopause
Vaginal atrophy.
Dyspareunia.
Skin atrophy.
Urge-stress incontinence.
Give 3 conditions that can occur in late menopause?
Osteoporosis.
Atherosclerosis leading to coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease.
Alzheimer’s disease.
Why are post-menopausal women at increased risk of osteoporosis?
Increased osteoclast activity. Oestrogen inhibits their activity.
Give 2 non hormonal treatments to manage the symptoms of the menopause.
Dressing in light layers, avoiding caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods to minimise hot flushes and night sweats.
Reduce dietary fat intake and do regular exercise to help combat weight gain.
What are the advantages of HRT?
Improves wellbeing by minimising symptoms of the menopause.
Can limit osteoporosis.
