Alterations Associated with Menopause Flashcards
Define Climacteric
Change of Life;
Menopause
Climacteric can be influenced by what?
1) Own Experience
2) Knowledge
3) Physical well-being
4) Family views
5) Marital Stability
6) Sociocultural Expectations
How many years before Menopause does Perimenopause begin?
2 - 8 years preceding menopause
What wanes during Perimenopause?
Ovarian function.
Should a women going through Perimenopause still be on birth control?
Yes. They can still get pregnant.
What happens to a woman’s libido during Perimenopause?
Decreases.
What causes the characteristic symptoms associated with perimenopause?
Hormonal deficiencies.
During Perimenopause, what causes decreased levels of estrogen?
Increased FSH levels.
When does Menopause begin?
When estrogen levels are so low that menstruation stops.
During the Menopause transition, what changes happen to the usual menstrual periods?
A lot of bleeding
Oligomenorrhea
Amenorrhea
What would lab tests show during Perimenopause?
FSH Increased
Serum Estrogen Decreased
LH Increased
What are the vasomotor symptoms of Perimenopause?
1) Hot Flashes
2) Night Sweats
3) Poor Sleep/ Insomnia
What happens to the sexual organs during the transition to Menopause?
Uterine, Fallopian tube & Ovarian Atrophy
What can happen to the vagina during the transition to Menopause?
Vaginal Dryness
What can vaginal dryness cause?
Dyspareunia.
Dyspareunia - Definition.
Painful intercourse.
What happens to the libido during the transition to Menopause?
Libido decreases
Back pain and mood changes are associated with what change to women?
Transition to Menopause.
What is the typical age for Menopause?
50 - 52.
What happens when someone is “becoming menopausal?”
Periods become lighter and less.
What happens to the bleeding during the transition from Perimenopause to Menopause?
Abnormal Bleeding.
Why would a woman need a myomectomy during her transition from Perimenopause to Menopause?
Fibroids;
The removal of which would allow the uterus to carry a pregnancy and allow the uterus to stretch.
What is a myomectomy?
Removal of muscle in the uterus.
What can bleeding after Menopause signify?
Cancer.
Amenorrhea for how long can equal Menopause?
1 year.
To get an idea of when a person will start the Menopause process, what history information would be most valuable?
The mother’s females and when they started Menopause.
What can happen if a women goes through Menopause before 40 years old?
1) Higher risk for Osteoporosis
2) Require surgery and/or possibly a hysterectomy
What psychosocial aspects should a nurse be observing a women while going through Menopause?
1) Positive Attitude
2) Effective coping
3) Time of personal growth
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a combination of what?
Estrogen & Progesterone.
What is the role of Progesterone in HRT?
It protects against cervical cancer.
What must a woman have before starting HRT?
Uterus.
Is there controversy with HRT?
Yes.
What must a woman have had in order to receive Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT)?
Hysterectomy
What are some contraindications for estrogen therapy?
1) DVT
2) Smoker
3) Family history of blood clots
What are some alternatives to HRT?
1) Diet and Nutrition
2) Weight bearing exercise
3) Stress Management Techniques
4) Homeopathic & Herbal treatments
What is one way to modify Diet and Nutrition as an alternative to HRT?
Avoid junk food.
What are some examples of weight bering exercise used as alternatives to HRT?
Walking & Lifting weights
What are some stress management techniques that can be used as alternatives for HRT?
1) Yoga
2) Stretching
3) Swimming
4) Jacuzzi
5) Biofeedback
6) Visualization
What are some examples of Homeopathic and Herbal Treatments?
Phytoestrogens
Where can Phytoestrogens be found and give some examples?
Foods
Red Sage, Mexican Yam
What is Osteoporosis?
Metabolic disease in which bone demineralization results in decreased density and resultant fractures.
What areas are most commonly affected by Osteoporosis?
1) Wrist
2) Hip
3) Vertebrae
Women lose _____ of their bone mass during their lifetime.
40 - 45%
Up to what age do women need to be consuming as much calcium as possible?
25.
What type of bone do women lose first?
Trabecular (spongy) bone
After women lose Spongy bone, what is the next type of bone to be lost?
Cortical (compact) bone
What is used to measure Bone Marrow Density (BMD)?
DEXA scan.
What does a DEXA scan measure?
The amount of calcium in the bone.
Which bones does a DEXA scan examine?
Look at the spine and left femur.
Osteopenia - Definition
“lack” of bone mass
What T score would be needed to classify as Osteopenia?
1 - 2.5
Osteoporosis - Definition
“loss” of bone mass
What T score would be needed to classify as Osteoporosis?
greater than 2.5
Primary Osteoporosis: who usually gets it?
1) Postmenopausal women
2) Men in 50s and 60s
Why does a Postmenopausal woman get osteoporosis?
Lack of Estrogen
Why do men in their 50s and 60s get osteoporosis?
Decreased levels of testosterone.
How does someone get Secondary Osteoporosis?
1) Hyperparathyroidism
2) Long term use of corticosteroids
3) Prolonged immobilization
Why would a COPD patient be at risk for developing Secondary Osteoporosis?
Because of long term use of corticosteroids.
Why would a patient with spinal chord injury be at risk for developing Secondary Osteoporosis?
Prolonged immobilization.
