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How Much Do You Know About Menopause ?
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Dupuis, Kaitlin |
| Copyright Year | 2009 |
| Abstract | WHAT IS MENOPAUSE? M is defined as the cessation of a woman’s menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, a clinical diagnosis made after having ruled out any other causes of secondary amenorrhea.1,2 Perimenopause is the phase immediately before, or one year after, the cessation of periods, during which women may exhibit clinical features of menopause.3 The physiological and psychological changes that occur as a result of declining ovarian estrogen production include vasomotor symptoms, vulvar and vaginal atrophy, sleep and mood disturbances, decreased libido and increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiac disease.1,3 Obesity and diabetes risk has also been shown to increase after menopause.1 In the 1990s, hormone therapy (HT) was introduced, and was well received by both health care practitioners and patients alike for its effective control of bothersome menopausal symptoms.3 However, in 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative Study,4 along with several other randomized control studies, indicated that a closer examination of the risks and benefits of HT was necessary. While osteoporotic fractures were prevented, results indicated an increase in cardiovascular events, thromboembolism, breast cancer and cholecystitis among patients on combined estrogen-progestin HT.2-4 Estrogen-only HT was linked to an increase in cardiovascular disease, thromboembolism and ovarian cancer.4 While the designs of these studies have been disputed, the attitude towards hormonal therapy has shifted in the last several years.3 Today’s approach to the treatment of menopausal symptoms and disease prevention focuses on individualized therapy with increasing focus on lifestyle modifications. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and nicotine have shown to decrease hot flashes and improve sleep, while regular, vigorous exercise and a healthy diet are linked to decreased risk of obesity, osteoporosis and diabetes.1,3 Good evidence also exists demonstrating a decrease in colon, endometrial and breast cancer in regular exercisers.3 HT is now reserved for short-term management of moderate to severe menopausal symptoms after a full discussion of the risk and benefits with the patient.3 Its use should also be reassessed on an annual basis with each patient. This clinical quiz will test your knowledge of menopause. The answers are provided at the end of the quiz. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://mdprogram.mcmaster.ca/docs/default-source/MUMJ-Library/v6_72-75.pdf?sfvrsn=0 |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
