Reproductive Function Flashcards
list 6 health aging tips R/T reproduction
- drink water everyday - thirst signals decrease in the older adult
- understand your response to medications - Kidney’s are not able to excrete as well
- urinary incontinence is not normal
- screening for prostate, cervical & breast cancers may not be of benefit; talk to your HCP before scheduling
- it is NORMAL to desire sex; it is also normal to have little interest if that is a long-term pattern for you
- if you are sexually active, protect yourself from STDs; use condoms (HIV is prevalent in the older adult)
what is the main hormone females start to lose when they get older?
estrogen
what happens to the vagina as females age?
gets shorter, narrower, walls get thinner, & stiffer
less vaginal lubrication (may take some time to “warm up”
name 2 things that can be used because of less vaginal lubrication
- water-based lubricating jelly (KY jellies)
- lubricated condoms
what is dyspareunia?
painful sexual intercourse
what does the med Ospemifene (Osphena) do? name 3 risks associated w this med
helps w vaginal lubrication (works as a hormone replacement for estrogen as well)
risks:
1. blood clots
2. strokes
3. uterine cancer
what does the med Prasterone (intrarosa) do?
vaginal suppository used daily to lubricate the vagina
what does desensitization therapy do?
vaginal relaxation techniques
what is impotence?
erectile dysfunction
- loss of ability to have & keep erection
- increased time to arousal, ejaculation, refractory period (times between sexual encounters)
- decreased firmness of erection
- decrease force of ejaculation
what does the med Sildenafil (Viagra) do?
effective for 4-5 hours or more if men have mild-moderate erectile dysfunction
list one intervention
intervention:
most effective taken on an empty stomach one hour before sex
vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
list 3 interventions
most effective taken one hour before sex; can be taken w or w out food
- low fat meal: high fat can keep it from absorbing
- effective for 4-5 hours if men have mild-mod erectile dysfunction
Tadalafil (Cilis) how can it be taken?
can be taken w or w out food 1-2 hours before sex but if effective for up to 36 hours
- can be taken in a small daily dose or one larger dose as needed
list 5 contraindications of erectile dysfunction meds
what can this lead to?
- Nitrates
- hypotension
- uncontrolled HTN
- severe liver disease
- renal failure w/ dialysis
can lead to severe life threatening hypotension
list 5 side effects of erectile dysfunction meds
- flushing
- HA
- indigestion
- vision changes
- back pain
what is a serious side effect of an erectile dysfunction med?
Priapism: an erection that does not go away; is rare but requires medical treatment to avoid permanent damage to penis (erection lasting longer than 4 hours)
what is the average age in U.S. for menopause to begin? when can it officially be diagnosed?
51; diagnosed when there has been no period for 12 months
what age can some women experience pre-menopause?
in their 30s
list 7 s/sx of menopause
- irregular periods
- hot flashes / night sweats / chills
- sleep problems
- mood changes
- weight gain & slowed metabolism
- thinning hair & dry skin
- loss of breast fullness (pendulous or saggy) due to decrease estrogen leading to loss of collagen & elasticity
list & describe 4 complications of menopause
- CVD: healthy diet & exercise (check BP & cholesterol)
- Osteoporosis: bone matrix begins to thin due to lack of estrogen; women are more at risk for fractures! weight bearing exercises help to build that bone
- Urinary incontinence: loss of elasticity in the urethra (sexual function - dyspareunia)
- weight gain: menopause slows metabolism (make sure patients are getting exercise)
list & describe 5 ways to treat menopause
- Hormone therapy: lowest dose for a short period of time to get women through that “rough” time
- vaginal estrogen
- low-dose antidepressants (SSRIs): minimize hot flashes! & mood flashes
- Gabapentin / Clonidine: minimize hot flashes!
- prevent / treat osteoporosis
name 6 ways to educate patients going through menopause
- help w hot flashes (educate that some women can recognize triggers; educate them to wear layers, have cold water, wear cool towels around neck)
- decrease vaginal discomfort (Astroglide, K-Y jelly, sliquid (water-based OTC vaginal lubricants) & Replens, K-Y liquibeads, Sliquid (silicone-based lubricant)
- sleep hygiene (avoid exercise & caffeine too close to bedtime)
- relaxation techniques to help w mood & triggers (yoga, massage, meditation)
- strengthening pelvic floor (helps w incontinence)
- good diet, exercise, & quit smoking
describe andropause
- when does it usually occur in men?
Gradual decline (as opposed to plummet in F) in hormones
On average, 1% a year after 40 y/o; only 10%-25% have low testosterone as an older adult
list 9 s/sx of andropause
- most of the time go unnoticed!
- reduced sexual desire / activity
- decreased erections / ED
- breast discomfort / swelling
- infertility
- loss of height
- hot flashes / sweats
- decreased energy, motivation, confidence, poor concentration, depression
- increased fatigue, sleep disturbances, reduced muscle bulk & strength, increased body fat
list 2 forms of treatment for andropause
name the 5 risks of the one
- healthy diet, adequate sleep, exercise, stress reduction
- hormone replacement but high risk for breast cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, cardiovascular problems, stroke, blood clots
what is the PLISSIT model for and what does it stand for?
- way to talk about sexual health w an older adult
P = permission
LI - limited info (talk to them in a factual manner about the changes they are having; tell them that these are normal!
SS = specific suggestions (different meds or positions to try)
IT = intensive therapy (ARPN) sexual health experts
name 3 specific surgeries that are considered roadblocks to a healthy sex life
- hysterectomy
- mastectomy
- prostatectomy
list 7 types of meds that are considered roadblocks to a healthy sex life
- BP
- antihistamines
- Parkinson’s disease
- cancer meds
- appetite suppressants
- mental health medications
- ulcer drugs
sexual orientation
sexual attraction to others (men, women, both, neither, or other)
transsexual
live transgender full time & undergo hormone supplementation or gender reassignment (or both)
Genderqueer
those who redefine, refute, or break traditional gender norms. May identify w neither gender or both genders
Transvestite
(aka cross dressers) wear the clothes and otherwise take on the social roles of the opposite sex - regularly or occasionally - and are comfortable w their anatomical sex
