Female & menopause Flashcards
How do sperm move down the female reproductive tract?
Sperm motility and female reproductive tract helps this process
On what day of the menstrual cycle does ovulation occur?
About day 14
On what days does menstruation occur?
Days 1-7
What is menopause?
When a woman exceeds optimum child bearing age ovaries stop producing oestrogen and progesterone - so no ovum is released every month.
A woman has reached menopause when she’s not menstruated for 1 year
What is the average age to go through menopause in the UK?
52
Give a list of physiological changes the body goes through at menopause.
Fatigue, loss of libido Mood swings Headaches Hot flushes Thinning of hair Loss of elasticity in breast tissue Risk of CVD increases Back ache Weight gain Stress/urge incontinence Increased risk of osteoporosis Vaginal atrophy
What causes hot flushes?
Increasing gonadotropin levels in response the ovaries becoming unresponsive
Why does the menopause cause vaginal atrophy?
Oestrogen is responsive for vaginal elasticity and production of vaginal fluid.
So as oestrogen levels decline, the vagina becomes thinner & less elastic, more dry & sore, and more prone to infection.
What purpose does vaginal fluid serve?
Lubrication & moistening of vaginal walls
Acidity protects against infections
