OnlineMedEd: Gynecology - "Menopause"

Question 1

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Answer 1

• Irregular bleeding
• Heavy bleeding
• Hot flashes (aka hot flushes)
• Frequent UTIs
• Decreased libido
• Irritability
• Mood swings

Question 2

The cause of menopause is _____________.

Answer 2

ovarian failure leading to loss of estrogen

Question 3

The diagnosis of menopause is given by ________________.

Answer 3

absence of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months

Question 4

Although you shoulf not obtain labs to diagnose menopause in a woman older than 40, you would see ______________ if you did.

Answer 4

decreased estrogen and elevated LH/FSH

Question 5

Workup premature menopause only if _____________.

Answer 5

the woman is younger than 40

Question 6

Describe the role of systemic HRT.

Answer 6

In general, HRT should be avoided due to the increased risk of DVT, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer. However, in life it can be used for temporary treatment of vasomotor symptoms. The woman should consider, though, that she will likely go through the same symptoms that she’s trying to treat again when she stops taking HRT.

Question 7

What are safer options to treat vasomotor symptoms?

Answer 7

SNRIs

Question 8

With menopause, you need to screen for ________________.

Answer 8

hyperlipidemia and osteoporosis

Question 9

DEXA screening should start _______________.

Answer 9

at 65

Question 10

Review the treatments for the following:
•Osteoporosis
•Vitamin D insufficiency
• Vitamin D deficiency

Answer 10

• Osteoporosis: bisphosphonates
• Vitamin D insufficiency: vitamin D (200o U QD) and calcium supplementation (varies)
• Vitamin D deficiency: 50,000 QW x 8 weeks