Menopause Flashcards
Perimenopausal bleeding
may have irregular periods for up to 4 yr before
Definition of menopause
permanent cessation of menses after cessation of ovarian follicles
Menapause is premature if it occur before this age
premature: before 40 y/o
Hormonal changes in menopause
follicles decrease, inhibin falls, increased FSH
progesterone ceases, initially unopposed estrogen
Increased risk of endometrial cancer in menopause
early in menopause
due to unopposed estrogen, ie no progesterone
Hormone replacement therapy for weight gain from menopause
hormone therapy does not help with weight gain
due to change in metabolism
Why is there thinner skin in menopause
decreased collagen
- thinner skin
- atrophic vaginitis
- prolapse of pelvic structures
- urinary incontinence
Hot flash hormone associations
- directly related to estrogen levels
- also related to GnRH levels
- pulsitile, up to 30x per day coinciding w/ GnRH pulses
Abnormal uterine bleeding most commonly due to
anovulation
Abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal period
common
often due to irregular bleeding cycles
Osteoporosis rate after menopause
lose 1-2% of bone density per year
Common results of osteoporosis in elderly
compression fractures of vertebrae
hip fracture
When to start DEXA scanning when there are no other risk factors
age 65
When to use hormone replacement therapy
symptomatic menopause
Caution when determining what type of hormone replacement therapy to use
do not use unopposed estrogen if woman this has her uterus intact
increased risk for cancer
