Menopause

Question 1

perimenopause/ climateric

Answer 1

refer to time period immediately before menopause

more correct= menopausal transition

Question 2

Menopausal transition

Answer 2

develops over period of 4-7 years

begins with menstrual cycle irregularity and extends to one year after permanent cessation of menses

Question 3

Who experiences earlier menopause?

Answer 3

smokers and pts who have had a hysterectomy

Question 4

Hot flash sequence of events

Answer 4

typically lasts 1-5 minutes
HR and skin blood flow peak after 3 min
5-9 min after the start, the core temp begins to decrease

Question 5

Why do younger women have lower risk of CV disease?

Answer 5

Estrogen normally increases HDL levels and decreases LDL levels in the bloodstream

Question 6

What does estrogen do to bones?

Answer 6

Normally reduces bone resorption

Question 7

HRT in heart disease

Answer 7

HRT should NOT be given strictly for the prevention of high cholesterol or heart disease

Question 8

HRT and thromboembolic events

Answer 8

increase in number of blood clots in women taking progestin/estrogen

Question 9

HRT and stroke

Answer 9

increase risk of stroke in estrogen-only pts

Question 10

HRT and osteoporosis

Answer 10

fewer hip fractures and fractures in women taking it but it does not help for osteoporosis if you only take it at time of menopause
have to keep taking it if trying to prevent osteoporosis b/c the bone effects stop when the HRT is D/C

Question 11

HRT and CNS health

Answer 11

WHI showed increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s in women taking HRT
does not improve cognitive function and may actually worsen QOL in women w/o vasomotor symptoms

Question 12

side effects of HRT

Answer 12

mood swings, water retention, bloating, nausea, headache, breast soreness, irregular bleeding