Menopause and Secondary Amenorrhoea Flashcards
What is the definition of the menopause?
Women’s last period
Average is age 51
Perimenopause is approx. 5 years old
What happens during the menopause?
Ovarian insufficiency - oestradiol falls
FSH from pituitary rises
Still some oestriol from conversion of adrenal androgens in adipose tissue
What can cause menopausal transition?
Can be natural or sudden following oophorectomy/ chemotherapy/ radiotherapy
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Vasomotor - hot flushes/ night sweats
Vaginal dryness, low libido, muscle and joint aches and mood changes/ poor memory
What problems can occur when osteoporosis develops during menopause?
Fractured hip/ vertebrae
What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?
Thin, Caucasian, smoker, high EtOH, malabsorption vit D or calcium, prolonged low oestrogen amenorrhoea, oral corticosteroids and hyperthyroidism
What is the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis?
Weight bearing exercises, adequate calcium and vit D, HRT, bisphosphates, denosumab and calcitonin
What is used for symptom treatment for menopause?
Hormone replacement therapy - HRT
Local vaginal HRT
Systemic oestrogen transdermal patch/ gel/ oral
Describe local vaginal HRT
Oestrogen pessary, ring or cream
Minimal systemic absorption
Need to use long term to maintain benefit
Describe systemic oestrogen transdermal
Patch, gel or oral
Less risk of VTE
Oestrogen only if no uterus
Oestrogen and progesterone if uterus present
Progesterone oral, patch or LNG IUS
What does progesterone prevent in HRT?
Endometrial hyperplasia from unopposed oestrogen
Describe cyclical combined oestrogen and progesterone HRT
14 days oestrogen and 14 days combined
Expect withdrawal bleed after progesterone
Use if there may still be some ovarian function to avoid inconvenience of irregular bleeding
Describe continuous combined oestrogen and progesterone HRT
28 days oestrogen and progesterone gel/ patch
Expect to be bleed free
Use if more than one year after LMP or age 54+
What HRT regime gives contraceptive cover?
Mirena plus oestrogen
What are the contraindication to systemic HRT?
Current hormone dependant cancer breast/ endometrium
Current active liver disease
Un-investigated abnormal vaginal bleeding
Advise if previous VTE, thrombophilia, breast cancer or BRCA carrier