menopausal hormonal therapy

Question 1

menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT)

Answer 1

may be instituted any time there is loss of the body’s ability to produce estrogen and progestin
- treat moderate to severe menopausal symptoms

Question 2

vasomotor s/s

Answer 2

o caused by rapid changes in estrogen levels
o tend to abate gradually over time
o ET/MHT are effective treatments for these s/s

Question 3

urogenital tract changes

Answer 3

• Uterus atrophies and decreases in size
• Vagina narrows, shortens, and loses some of its elasticity
• Vaginal walls lose their ability to lubricate quickly
• Vagina pH increases –> Contributed to a higher incidence of vaginitis
• Vagina epithelium atrophies
• urethral tone declines –> increased risk for urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence

topical estrogens are effective in helping relieve these s/s

Question 4

other postmenopausal changes outside of the reproductive system

Answer 4

o Bone mineral density is reduced
o CV disorders increase
o Risk for various cancers increases

Question 5

goals of treatment for MHT

Answer 5

• prevent or reduce vasomotor s/s
• prevent or reduce vaginal atrophy associated with estrogen decline
• reduce the risk for osteoporosis

ensure that the benefits of ET/MHT outweigh any risk associated w/ treatment by providing comprehensive pretreatment evaluation of contraindications and risk and assisting women in making informed decisions about therapy

Question 6

when to start MHT

Answer 6

at the time of menopause onset
–> should only be continued for up to 5 years