Menopause Flashcards
(3 cards)
What is menopause?
Menopause defined as the cessation of menstruation resulting from loss of ovarian follicular activity after 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea (no periods).
Average is 48-52 years old is usual for menopause. Oestrogen levels slowly drop from aged 40 and are at their peak at about 35.
What is the pathophysioloy of perimenopause and menopause?
Perimenopause; physiology - can happen from age 40 onwards. You have about 1 million eggs which run out at about 50 years old which drives menopause.
FSH levels can rise and lower levels of oestrogen.
Progesterone levels decline before oestrogen which can lead to more freequent menstruation.
Symptoms reflect lower levels of oestrogen as well as its own adaptations as it gets used to this - night sweats, loss of libido, and much much more.
Post menopause - body loves the fat tissue as likes oestrogen, which can mean its hard to shift wegith. Adrenals become more important post menopause.
Impact of androgens increase so you can get puberty going backwards - acne and hair loss. “
How to treat it?
“Provide oestrogen - take HRT - which can also help prevent uterine cancer
Studies did show risks associated with HRT which did lead to several women not taking it anymore. Reanalysis of the studies data shows that the additional risk of additional breast cancer only comes with long exposure to HRT and the progesterone. oestrogen one. The oestrgoen only one seems better. Timing of taking HRT is also important too.
Herbal remedies can help!
