Untitled Deck Flashcards
What is the clinical definition of menopause?
Permanent cessation of menses confirmed after 1 year of no menstrual bleeding due to ovarian follicular failure.
What is the average age of menopause in Western and Filipino populations?
Western: 51-52 years; Filipino: 47-48 years.
What key physiological change signals the onset of menopause?
Decreased AMH and ovarian inhibin-B, accompanied by increased FSH.
How does smoking affect the age of menopause onset?
It causes menopause 1-2 years earlier.
What impact does BMI have on the onset of menopause?
Higher BMI delays menopause onset.
What are common early symptoms of menopause (40-45 years)?
Hot flushes, sweating, insomnia, menstrual irregularity, and psychological symptoms.
What are the hallmark intermediate symptoms of menopause (50-60 years)?
Vaginal atrophy, dyspareunia, skin atrophy, and urge-stress incontinence.
Which late-stage conditions are associated with menopause (65+ years)?
Osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
What is the most symptomatic phase of menopause?
Perimenopause (the menopausal transition).
What is induced menopause, and what are its causes?
Menopause caused by medical interventions like bilateral oophorectomy, chemotherapy, or radiation.
What is the most common cause of premature ovarian insufficiency?
Autoimmune disorders.
What causes hot flushes in menopausal women?
Narrowing of the thermoregulatory zone due to decreased estrogen levels.
What is the role of estrogen in preventing Alzheimer’s disease?
Early estrogen exposure decreases free radical brain damage and promotes synaptic maintenance.
What is the ‘Timing Hypothesis’ in hormone therapy?
Early intervention with hormone therapy benefits cognition, but late intervention can be harmful.
How does menopause affect collagen levels?
Estrogen deficiency reduces collagen content, causing skin thinning and pelvic tissue weakening.
Which exercises can help stress incontinence in menopausal women?
Kegel exercises.
What is the new term for vulvovaginal atrophy?
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).
What are the treatment options for GSM?
Regular sexual activity, lubricants, moisturizers, and local vaginal estrogen.
What defines osteoporosis based on T-scores?
Osteoporosis: T-score ≤ -2.5; Osteopenia: -1.0 to -2.5.
What is the standard diagnostic tool for osteoporosis?
Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA).
How does estrogen prevent osteoporosis?
Estrogen suppresses osteoclast activity by increasing apoptosis and maintaining bone formation balance.
Why does cardiovascular disease risk increase after menopause?
Declining estrogen leads to increased LDL, reduced HDL, and vascular changes.
Which lifestyle management steps can reduce cardiovascular risk?
Maintaining cholesterol <200 mg/dL, BP <120/80 mmHg, and BMI <25 kg/m², and regular physical activity.
What is the recommended frequency of mammograms for women aged 50-74?
Every 2 years.
Which cancers should menopausal women regularly screen for?
Breast, colorectal, endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancers.
What lifestyle changes are recommended for menopausal women?
Smoking cessation, alcohol moderation, physical activity, and weight loss.
What common sense solutions can help vasomotor symptoms (VMS)?
Wearing comfortable clothing and staying hydrated.
When is unopposed estrogen therapy appropriate?
For women without a uterus.
What is the first-line pharmacologic treatment for menopausal symptoms?
Hormone Therapy (HT).
Why is progesterone added to estrogen therapy in women with a uterus?
To prevent endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.
What are contraindications to hormone therapy?
History of thromboembolic events, unexplained vaginal bleeding, and active liver disease.
Which medications are used for osteoporosis treatment?
Bisphosphonates, calcitonin, SERMs (e.g., raloxifene), and parathyroid hormone (e.g., teriparatide).
What adjunctive measures are recommended for osteoporosis prevention?
Calcium 1500 mg daily, vitamin D 400-800 IU, and weight-bearing exercises.
Which antidepressants are used off-label for vasomotor symptoms?
SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine) and SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine).
Which anticonvulsant is used for hot flushes?
Gabapentin.
What are examples of complementary therapies for menopause?
Soy isoflavones, black cohosh, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
What OTC hormone is commonly used for menopause symptoms?
Topical progesterone.
What is a key diagnostic difference between menopause and other forms of menstrual cessation?
Menopause involves absent or non-functional ovaries; hysterectomy with functional ovaries is not menopause.
What genetic causes might lead to premature ovarian failure?
Genetic mutations, enzymatic defects, or gonadotropin receptor abnormalities.
How does parity affect menopause onset?
Higher parity is associated with later onset of menopause.
What psychological symptoms may occur in early menopause?
Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and mild depression.
What causes dyspareunia in menopausal women?
Vaginal atrophy due to estrogen deficiency.
Which intermediate symptom involves thinning and drying of the skin?
Skin atrophy.
What cardiovascular condition is more likely in late menopause stages?
Coronary heart disease (CHD).
What is the primary treatment for irregular bleeding in perimenopause?
Short-term use of oral contraceptives with 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol.
What is the likelihood of spontaneous pregnancy in premature ovarian insufficiency?
Around 5%.
Which autoimmune condition is commonly screened for in premature ovarian failure?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
What neurotransmitter functions does estrogen enhance in the brain?
Cholinergic and serotonergic functions.
Why is late initiation of hormone therapy potentially harmful for cognition?
It may worsen cognition and increase the risk of stroke.
What hormone replacement timing improves mood disorders in menopause?
Early initiation of estrogen therapy.
What role does estrogen play in urinary incontinence?
Estrogen reduces collagen atrophy and improves bladder control.
Which type of incontinence is commonly seen early in menopause?
Stress incontinence.
What is a non-hormonal strategy to manage incontinence?
Weight loss in overweight women.
What is the pH change in vaginal atrophy caused by estrogen deficiency?
Vaginal pH increases above 5.