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Managing Menopause

Managing Menopause. Beverly M. Vaughn, M.D. Clinical Assist. Prof. Ob/Gyn Thomas Jefferson University. Some Definitions.

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Managing Menopause

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  1. Managing Menopause Beverly M. Vaughn, M.D. Clinical Assist. Prof. Ob/Gyn Thomas Jefferson University

  2. Some Definitions • Perimenopause: The time before the final menstrual period characterized by irregular periods. Some women experience hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, and/or changes in mood. • Menopause: Begins 12 months after the final period

  3. How do I know if I’m menopausal? • Are hormonal levels useful? • Will I become menopausal after chemo and/or radiation therapy? • What happens if I have my ovaries removed?

  4. Every woman’s perimenopause and menopause is unique.

  5. Healthcare Provider Concerns • Cardiovascular disease • Cancer prevention • Osteoporosis • Obesity • Symptoms of menopause

  6. Patient Concerns • Hot flashes • Vaginal dryness • Libido • Poor sleep • Mood changes • Weight gain • Memory problems • Osteoporosis • Cancer prevention

  7. What’s happening to my body? • Cardiovascular changes: Shifts in HDL and LDL, decreased elasticity of blood vessels, increased formation of plaque • Musculoskeletal: Muscle converts to fat, decrease muscle strength, decrease in calcium absorption from the intestine, increase bone turnover resulting in decrease bone density • Weight gain: hormonal influence, caloric requirements decrease

  8. What’s happening to my body? • Skin: increased dryness, thinner skin, decreased collagen • Genitourinary: decreased blood flow, elasticity, and ability to retain moisture, thinner tissue, shorter vaginal canal, painful intercourse, possible increased susceptibility to bladder infections, increased incontinence

  9. What’s happening to my body? • Sexuality: Diminished perception of touch, changes in body image, prolonged arousal time, less intense orgasms, changes in libido

  10. What’s happening to my body? • Mood: Increased depression and moodiness occurs in the perimenopausal period

  11. Who manages my menopause symptoms?

  12. Hot flashes • Can occur with natural, surgical or chemotherapy induced menopause • Removal of the ovaries will cause immediate menopause but not necessarily immediate symptoms • Tamoxifen™, Arimidex™, Femara™ all cause hot flashes

  13. What about estrogen therapy?

  14. Controversial • Does the hormone receptor status matter? • Does the length of time since diagnosis matter? • Does age matter? • * Will it effect my risk of recurrence?*

  15. What about progesterone/progestin? • Synthetic progestins were used very effectively in the past. Their use is currently controversial.

  16. Bioidenticals • Bioidenticals are exogenous hormones biochemically similar to those produced endogenously by the body or ovaries

  17. Lifestyle changes • Avoid common triggers: alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, hot and/or spicy foods, stress • Eat well, eat less and exercise • Dress in layers • Use natural fibers

  18. Non pharmaceutical therapies • Paced breathing • Relaxation therapy • Soy • Herbs ( i.e. black cohosh, red clover, flaxseed) • Vitamin E • Acupuncture

  19. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) • Paxil ™, Prozac™, Effexor™, Celexa™, Lexapro™ • Works at the thermoregulatory center of the brain • Effective • Relief occurs quickly • Side effects

  20. Other pharmacologic options • Gabapentin ™ , Clonidine™ • Effectiveness • Side effects

  21. Vaginal dryness • Over the counter lubricants such as, K-Y™, Astroglide™, Slippery Stuff™, silicone products • Over the counter moisturizers like Replens™ • Almond oil • Vaginal estrogen ring, tablet or cream • Dilators • Patience, non intercourse intimacy

  22. Libido

  23. Libido • Vulnerability • Body image • Painful sex • Fatigue • Duration of relationship • Effect of hormones • Difficulty with arousal and achieving orgasm

  24. Libido • Look at all of the factors • Testosterone?????????? • Viagra™??????????

  25. Resources • www.soulsource.com • www.vaginismus.com • www.passionparties.com • www.middlesexmd.com • www.menopause.org • www.mainlinehealth.org/whs

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