menopause

Question 1

what is the average age for menopause

Answer 1

51
90% of people by 55

Question 2

how long does perimenopause last

Answer 2

4 to 5 years but for most people it is 2 years.

Question 3

what changes occur in perimenopause

Answer 3

• unintended pregnancy
• skips to some menstrual periods
• changes in length of menstrual cycle
• change in amount or duration of menstrual flow

Question 4

Symptoms most commonly associated with hormonal status (oestrogen deficiency-related
menopause symptoms)

Answer 4

• hot flashes, day sweats and night sweats
• vaginal dryness and dyspareunia

Question 5

other symptoms by midlife women that can be associated with menopause

Answer 5

• Stiffness/soreness
• Headaches and backaches
• Forgetfulness
• Insomnia/sleep disturbances
• Palpitations
• Urine leakage
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Changes in libido
• Fatigue
• Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression

Question 6

what are the general measures that need to be taken before menopause hormonal therapy

Answer 6

• mammography
• cervical screening
• do breast and gynaecological examination

Question 7

indication in menopause hormonal therapy

Answer 7

• therapy should be for less than 5 years
• short term symptoms relief for severe menopause side effects

Question 8

contraindication in menopause hormonal therapy

Answer 8

Known or suspected oestrogen-dependent malignant tumours (endometrial
cancer)
* Coronary heart disease
* Active liver disease
* Women > 60 years of age
* Current, past or suspected breast cancer
* Thrombophilia
* Undiagnosed genital bleeding
* Previous idiopathic or current venous thromboembolism
* Untreated endometrial hyperplasia
* Porphyria cutanea tarda
* Family history of Breast cancer (NICE Guidelines)

Question 9

what happens when counselling women about menopause

Answer 9

• a goal should be decided if the therapy is short term for severe menopause or for long term in order to treat another underlying pathology.
• make the treatment patient based –> look at family history and patients age and needs.
• use quality decision making tools that are for educational purposes for the patient.

Question 10

menopause definition

Answer 10

is a biological stage in a woman’s life that occurs when she stops
menstruating and reaches the end of her natural reproductive life. Usually it is
defined as having occurred when a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive
months (for women reaching menopause naturally). The changes associated with
menopause occur when the ovaries stop maturing eggs and secreting oestrogen and
progesterone.

Question 11

perimenopause definition

Answer 11

is the time in which a woman has irregular cycles of ovulation
and menstruation leading up to menopause and continuing until 12 months after her
final period.

Question 12

post menopause definition

Answer 12

is the time after menopause has occurred, starting when a woman
has not had a period for 12 consecutive months