Return to Course Calendar
Please read current information in the online journals. This is such a fast changing area! What are"Bioidentical" hormones?
An excellent web site with menopause information is www.menopause.org.
"I think I’m starting menopause." "My periods have changed; sometimes they are 3 weeks apart; sometimes 5 or 6 weeks apart." "I’m having trouble sleeping." "I’m having night sweats and hot flashes." "I’m teary and depressed and more emotional than I used to be. What is your advice about taking hormone replacement therapy?"
The last question has become more complicated! How do you believe patients should be counseled?
Menopause (Natural Menopause). The permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity. Other factors: 12 months of amenorrhea, no other pathologic or physiologic cause for amenorrhea.
Perimenopause. The time period immediately prior to menopause (when there are endocrinologic (level of FSH), biologic hot flashes) and clinical features amenorrhea) and the first year after menopause (the 12 months of amenorrhea?)
Menopausal transition. The period of time before the final menstrual period when there is menstrual cycle variability, also called premenopause.
Climacteric. The phase in women from the reproductive state to the nonreproductive state. This overlaps perimenopause. I personally prefer perimenopause. BLB
Climacteric syndrome. Common symptoms of menopause.
Premenoapuse. Ambiguous term used to describe the one or two years before menopause, the entire period of time up to the final menstrual period.
Premature menopause. 40 years of age or 2 standard deviations below the mean of the reference population.
Postmenopause. The time after the final menstrual period regardless of whether it was spontaneous or induced.
Induced menopause. Surgical removal of ovaries or medical ablation.
Perimenopause/Menopause
Endocrine disorders including diabetes, thyroid, pituitary, or polycystic ovarian disease.
Hypothalamic Perimenopause/menopause
Pregnancy dysfunction
Uterine/endometrial abnormalities including polyps, malignancy, Asherman’s syndrome.
Physiology of Perimenopause/Menopause:
Refer to text readings and articles.
Suggested follow-up for perimenopausal/menopausal women:
9/02 Note: The USPSTF (US Preventative Services Task Force has a web site with the newest guidelines for all preventative services. www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstfix.htm or www.guideline.gov
| Organization | Pap Smear | Screening Mammography | Hormone Therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Return to Course Calendar