Menopause Flashcards
Menopause definition
permanent cessation of menses following the loss of ovarian follicular activity; occurs 1 year after last menses, FSH ≥40 IU
Perimenopause definition
immediately prior to menopause and 1st year after menopause begins , characterized by anovulatory bleeding
Postmenopausal definition
period greater than 1 year after menopause occurs
Non-hormonal factors that can contribute to menopause
Age, surgery (bilateral oophorectomy/hysterectomy), chemotherapy, pelvic radiation, smoking
Two categories of menopause symptoms
Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)
VMS Sx
Hot flashes, night sweats, occur 12-24 months after last menstrual period
GSM Sx: Genital
dryness, burning, irritation
GSM Sx: Urinary
dysuria, urgency, recurrent UTI Sx
GSM Sx: Sexual
dryness, dyspareunia
Other symptoms associated with menopause
Menstrual irregularity, sleep disturbances, mood changes, difficulty with memory and concentration, osteoporosis
Types of estrogens for HT
Conjugated equine estrogen (CEE), 17-beta estradiol, bioidentical hormones
Where does CEE come from?
Pregnant mare’s urine, natural product
17-beta estradiol
Synthetic product
Bioidentical hormone information
Compounded preparations which are said to provide a unique mix of estradiol, estrone, and estriol at dosages specifically designed for each woman but aren’t FDA regulated
Systemic estrogen routes of administration
PO, TD patch, TD emulsion, TD spray, TD gel, vaginal ring, implanted pellet
Vaginal/local estrogen routes of administration
Vaginal cream, vaginal tablet, vaginal ring
Common ADEs of estrogen
N/V, headache, breast tenderness, heavy bleeding
Serious ADEs of estrogen
CHD, stroke, VTE, breast cancer, gallbladder disease
Role of progestogen in combination HT
Mitigation of endometrial hyperplasia
Who do you give progestogen to?
Women with an intact uterus (aka no hysterectomy)
Progestogen dosing
Given a minimum of 12-14 days/month
Progestogen ADEs
irritability, depression, headache
Types of progestogen products
MPA, norethindrone, micronized progesterone
Preparations of progestogen
Systemic/oral
For cyclic use, how often must the progestogen be taken?
Minimum of 12-14 days per month
For a woman with a Hx of hysterectomy, is use of progestogens indicated?
No
For women with endometriosis with a Hx of hysterectomy, would you use progestogen?
Yes, if combined with estrogen it may minimize endometriosis exacerbations
Continuous cyclic treatment regimen
Estrogen daily, progestogen given the last 12-14 days of every cycle to give scheduled withdrawal bleeding 1-2 days after the last progestogen dose
Continuous combined treatment regimen
Estrogen and progestogen daily, associated with absence of vaginal bleeding
Who is the continuous combined treatment regimen reserved for?
Women 2 years post menopause
Continuous long-cycle treatment regimen
Estrogen daily, with progestogen given 12-14 days EVERY OTHER MONTH, bleeding periods may be heavier and longer than withdrawal bleeding
Intermittent combined treatment regimen
3 days of estrogen alone, followed by 3 days of combined estrogen and progestogen repeated without interruption
Undiagnosed or abnormal bleeding: absolute or relative CI
absolute