Nursing 151 ; Perimenopause/Menopause
What are some biocultural variations and complimentary/alternative therapies for menopause?
- Acupuncture- no evidence - Meditation- evidence - Massage-evidence - Aromatherapy-evidence - Yoga- no studies - Bioidentical hormones - Botanicals- watch contraindications
Where will you see body changes when someone hits menopause?
- Breast tissue decreases - Body hair decreases - Skin elasticity decreases - Subcutaneous fat decreases - Ovaries and uterus become smaller - Cervix and vagina decrease in size and become pale in color (These changes may result in problems with vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, urinary stress incontinence, urinary tract infections, and vaginitis) - Mood alterations
What are the latest recommendations for hormone replacement therapy?
- HRT ok for healthy women up to age 59 or within 10 yrs of menopause - Low dose vaginal estrogen if only vaginal sx
What are the 3 causes of menopause?
- Physiologic - Surgical: Menopause that is induced when the ovaries are surgically removed - Chemical: Menopause induced by chemotherapy or other chemicals or medications
What is typical age for menopause?
48-55 genetics play a factor women spend 1/3 life post menopausal
Permanent cessation of menses
Definition of menopause
Time in which reproductive function gradually ceases
Definition of perimenopause - For most women, the perimenopausal period lasts several years
How do they diagnose menopause?
Diagnosis: No menstraul period for 1 year Diagnostics: Elevated FSH and LH (not routinely done but are useful if the diagnosis is in question)
What is the pharmacologic treatment for menopause?
Hormone replacement therapy: - Estrogen/Progestin combo - Estrogen only- hysterectomy women typically.
T or F ; Nursing care during and after the menopausal period focuses on minimizing the symptoms associated with hormonal changes ; reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis ; and educating the client about lifestyle changes important to health and well-being
True!
T or F ; Menopause is not a disease or disorder! It is a normal physiological process.
True! - Can increase risk of other disorders - Does affect women's health
When the PH changes during menopause what risk is increased?
UTI and fungal infections vaginally.
What are clinical manifestations of menopause?
Vasomotor instability: - Hot flashes - Palpitations - Dizziness - Headaches - Insomnia - Frequent awakening - Night sweats - Osteoporosis - Increased cardiovascular disease
Why is HRT controversial?
increases the risk of CVA, heart disease, pulmonary E, and breast cancer significantly
What are some disorders menopause can increase the risk of?
osteoporosis macular degeneration breast cancer heart disease cognitive function
What are the stages of menopause?
premenopause- irregular periods Menopause- ceasing of period 1 year postmenopause- after 1 official year of no period
What occurs during menopause?
the slow decline of estrogen and progesterone estrogen turns to estradiol/estronin- which only has 1/10 of the activity of estrogen. essentially much less effective estrogen loss of ovarian function
