Menopause Flashcards
what is menopause?
Cessation of menses for >12/12
Age of menopause?
Western women between 45-55 with average of 50-51y
What is early menopause?
Menopause before 45y
What is surgical menopause?
Bilateral oophorectomy
What are the phases of menopause?
- Premenopausal: 5y before LMP
- Perimenopausal: presence of early menopausal symptoms with vaginal bleeding (usu irregular)
- Menopausal: LMP
- Postmenopausal: ~5y after the menopause
Outline physiological changes of menopause
- Ovarian follicles decline rapidly
- FSH and LH increase (15x; 3x) that of the follicular phase ==> ovary doesn’t secrete oestrogen but continues to secrete androgens
Urogenital aspects of oestrogen withdrawal?
- Epithelium of vagina, vulva, urethra and base of bladder becomes thin and dry
- can lead to dysuria, frequency, itching, dyspareunia and atrophic bleeding
How can the urogenital aspects of menopause be managed?
HRT can ameliorate urogenital dysfunction of menopause
What are the vasomotor symptoms of menopause?
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Palpitations
- Lightheadedness / dizziness
- Migraine
- Formication (ants crawling under skin)
What are the psychogenic aspects of menopause?
- Irritability
- Depression / anxiety
- Tearfulness
- Loss of concentration
- Unloved feelings
- Sleep disturbance
- Mood changes
- Decreased self confidence
What are the urogenital symptoms of menopause?
- Atrophic vaginitis
- Vaginal dryness
- Dyspareunia
- Decline in libido
- Bladder dysfunction (e.g. dysuria)
- Stress incontinence / prolapse
Skin/tissue changes of menopause?
- Dryness
- Formication
- New facial hair
- Breast gland atrophy
Hx to elicit in menopause evaluation?
- Menstrual Hx
- Other Sx related to oestrogen deficiency (esp hot flushes, mental state)
- Sexual Hx (contraception, microturition, relationships)
- FHx: osteoporosis, CVD, Ca
PEx in menopause evaluation?
- BP, height and weight
- Breast exam
- Abdo exam
- Vaginal exam
- Pap smear
Ix to consider in menopause work up?
- Urinalysis
- FBE
- Lipids
- LFTs
- Mammography (better 3/12 pre or post HRT)
- Diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial Bx IF undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Bone density (if RFx)
What is the role of hormone Ix? What are they?
If diagnosis is in doubt (e.g.
Ddx of menopausal Sx?
- depression
- anaemia
- thyroid dysfunction
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Gynae d/o (e.g. dysfunctional bleeding)
Mx of menopause?
-Importance healthy lifestyle >diet, exercise >smoking, caffeine >pelvic floor exercise -Sexual activity + lubricant -Discuss HRT -Osteoporosis screen, Vit C and D
Points to emphasise when discussing HRT?
- HRT pros: decreases symptoms, enhances QoL, reduces risk of bowel Ca, osteoporosis and fractures
- HRT negs: increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia, breast Ca and VTE
-no firm evidence of increased risk of breast Ca
What are the hormones for consideration in HRT?
- Oestrogen
- Progesterone
- Testosterone