Menopause and older age Flashcards
Menopause is a retrospective diagnosis, made after when a woman has no periods for __ months
12
Average age of menopause is __ years old
51
Post-menopause describes the period from ________ months after the final menstrual period onwards.
12 months+
Perimenopause occurs in women older than __ years
45 years
Premature menopause is before the age of ___ years. It is the result of _______________________________.
40 years
Premature ovarian insufficiency (not enough eggs left in ovaries)
During menopause, the following sex hormones change how?
Oestrogen
Progesterone
LH
FSH
Oestrogen - low
Progesterone - low
LH - high
FSH - high
*LH, FSH high due to absence of negative feedback from oestrogen
Why is LH and FSH high with menopause?
Lower oestrogen, therefore no negative feedback on Hypothalamus and Pitutary gland. LH and FSH thus increase.
Inside the follicle, oestrogen is secreted by which cells of the follicle?
Granulosa cells
Without oestrogen, what happens to:
Ovulation
Menstrual cycles
Menstruation
Anovulation
Irregular menstrual cycles
Amenorrhoea
*Also lower levels of oestrogen cause perimenopausal symptoms
Oestrogen can lead to perimenopausal symptoms.
List 5.
Hot flushes Emotional lability / low mood PMS Irregular periods Joint pain Heavier / lighter periods Vaginal dryness / atrophy Reduced libido
A lack of oestrogen with menopause can lead to increased risks of which conditions?
List all 4.
Cardiovascular disease/stroke
Osteoporosis
Pelvic organ prolapse
Urinary incontinence
How is a diagnosing of perimenopause and menopause made in a normal woman?
Woman aged 45+ years and shows typical symptoms.
No investigations needed.
How is diagnosis of menopause made in the following groups:
Women aged under 40 years with suspected premature menopause
Women aged 40-45 years with menopausal symptoms or a change in the menstrual cycle
FSH blood test (?high)
Fertility gradually declines after __ years of age
40
Women need to use effective contraception for:
___ years after last menstrual period in women under 50
___ years after last menstrual period in women over 50
2 years if under 50
1 year if over 50
Do hormonal contraceptives affect menopause - when it occurs, how long it lasts?
No
But it can suppress and mask the symptoms of menopause
Therefore, can make it difficult to diagnose menopause with women on hormone contraceptives.
What are good contraceptive options for women approaching menopause?
Barrier methods Mirena/copper coil Progesterone only pill Progesterone implant Progesterone depot injection (<45 years) Sterilisation
COCP (if advantages outweigh risks) if 40-50 years. - certain ones have less VTE risk such as norethisterone and levonorgesterel.
What are 2 key side effects of the progesterone depot injection (e.g. Depo-Provera)?
Weight gain
Reduced BMD (osteoporosis)
- These S/E do not occur with any other forms of contraception.
- Depot thus is unsuitable for women over 45 years old as they have less protective oestrogen.
What are conservative treatment options for perimenopausal symptoms?
No treatment
CBT
Vaginal moisturisers (Sylk, Replens, YES)
What are pharmacological treatment options for perimenopausal symptoms?
HRT
Tibolone (hormone that acts as continuous combined HRT. Only to be used 12+ months after amenorrhoea)
Clonidine (agonists of alpha-adrenergic and imidazoline receptors)
SSRIs (fluoxetine, citalopram)
Testosterone gel/cream (treat reduced libido)
Vaginal oestrogen cream/tablets (help with vaginal dryness and atrophy. Can be used with systemic HRT alongside)
Pelvic organ prolapse refers to the descent of pelvic organs into the _______.
Vagina
Prolapse is the result of weakness and lengthening of the _______ and _______ surrounding the _______, _______ and ________.
ligaments
muscles
uterus
rectum
bladder
Uterine prolapse is when the uterus itself descends into the _______.
Vagina
Vault prolapse occurs in which women?
What happens during it?
Women who have had hysterectomy (no uterus)
Top of the vagina (the vault), descends into the vagina.
What is a rectocele and what is it caused by?
Defect in posterior vaginal wall
Allows rectum to prolapse forwards into the vagina
Rectocele usually presents with what?
Constipation
Faecal loading (in part of rectum that has prolapsed into the vagina)
Urinary retention (due to compression on urethra)
Palpable lump in vagina (part of rectum that has fallen into it)
How can women with rectoceles self-manage this condition and open their bowels?
Women can use their fingers in their vagina to press the rectal lump backwards.
This corrects the rectum back into its normal anatomical position, and allows them to open their bowels`
What is a cystocele and what is it caused by?
Defect in anterior vaginal wall
Allows bladder to prolapse backwards into the vagina
- prolapse of urethra = urethrocele
- prolapse of both urethra and bladder = cystourethrocele
What are risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse?
Weak, stretched muscles and ligaments. Caused by:
Multiple vaginal deliveries Instrumental, prolonged or traumatic delivery Advanced age/postmenopausal Obesity Chronic resp disease causing coughing Chronic constipation causing straining
What is the typical presentation for someone with pelvic organ prolapse?
Feeling of “something coming down” in the vagina
Dragging/heavy sensation in the pelvis
Urinary symptoms (incontinence, urgency, frequency, weak stream and retention)
Bowel symptoms (constipation, incontinence, urgency)
Sexual dysfunction (pain, altered sensation, reduced enjoyment)
Lump or mass in vagina
Prolapse worse on straining or bearing down