Menopause describes the changes to the body occurring with the end of ovulation.
The mean age of onset is 51 for Canadian women. With an average life span of 81 years, a woman will spend over 1/3 her life in menopause.
urogenital tract: atrophy, vaginal dryness, incontinence.
blood vessels and heart: vasomotor instability, hot flashes, increased risk of CVD
bone: bone loss, fractures, loss of height
brain: depression, mood swings, memory loss
Encourage healthy living: exercise, smoking cessation, and a balanced diet.
Important to supplement with 1500 mg/800 IU daily.
Routine use of HRT is no longer recommended due to increased risk of breast cancer, CAD, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. However, risks of osteoporotics fractures and colorectal cancer appear to decrease, along with the symptoms of estrogen deprivation.
Accordingly, a thorough discussion of the patient's wishes and desires, history, symptoms, and risk factors is very important.
Venlafaxine, SSRI, or gabapentin can all be used to help with vasomotor instability.