Menopause Flashcards
what is the average age of menopause in the UK?
51 years old
when is contraception recommended in menopausal women?
- 12 months after last period if < 50 years
- 24 months after last period if > 50 years
what is the definition of menopause?
permanent cessation of menstruation
amenorrhoeic for 12 months
how long do menopausal symptoms typically last?
7 years
what vasomotor symptoms can you experience in menopause?
- hot flushes
- night sweats
what urogenital symptoms can you experience in menopause?
- vaginal dryness and atrophy
- urinary frequency
what psychological symptoms can you experience in menopause?
- anxiety and depression
- short-term memory impairment
what long-term complications can you experience in menopause?
- osteoporosis
- increased risk of ischaemic heart disease
what lifestyle modifications can be used to help hot flushes?
- regular exercise
- weight loss
- reduce stress
what lifestyle modifications can be used to help sleep disturbance?
- avoiding late evening exercise
- maintaining good sleep hygiene
what lifestyle modifications can be used to help mood?
- sleep
- regular exercise
- relaxation
what lifestyle modifications can be used to help cognitive symptoms?
- regular exercise
- good sleep hygiene
what are the contraindications for HRT?
- current or past breast cancer
- any oestrogen-sensitive cancer
- undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- untreated endometrial hyperplasia
what increases the risk of endometrial cancer development in menopausal women?
unopposed oestrogen in a women with a uterus
what are the risks of HRT?
- venous thromboembolism
- stroke
- coronary heart disease
- breast cancer
- ovarian cancer
how can the increased risk of venous thromboembolism be decreased in women taking HRT?
no increased risk with transdermal HRT
non-HRT management
how can vasomotor symptoms be managed?
- fluoxetine
- citalopram
- venlafaxine
non-HRT management
how can vaginal dryness be managed?
vaginal lubricant or moisturiser
non-HRT management
how can psychological symptoms be managed?
- self-help groups
- cognitive behaviour therapy
- antidepressants
non-HRT management
how can urogenital symptoms be managed?
- vaginal oestrogen
- moisturisers and lubricants
who receives sequential (cyclical) HRT treatment?
- perimenopausal women
- LMP <1 year ago
who receives continuous HRT treatment?
- postmenopausal women
- LMP >1 year ago
how can unopposed oestrogen be avoided?
mirena coil
what advise should you give women wanting to stop HRT?
gradually reduce HRT to avoid recurrence
