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Epidemiology:
The mean age of menopause is 51; it occurs before age 40 in 5% of women
Average length of perimenopause is 4 years
Earlier menopause is seen in cigarette smokers, those living at higher altitude estrogen
Physiology:
Premenopausal women after age 40 often have shorter cycles which lengthen just before.
Physiology
Iincreased ovarian resistance to FSH
Increased FSH levels (diagnostic level > 40)
Decreased estrogen
Estrone (less potent than estradiol) is the major circulating estrogen menopaus
Symptoms:
Vasomotor instability - "hot flashes"
Affect 80% of women
Less severe in obese women
Hormonal Therapy Estrogen
Urogenital atrophy
Hormones Estrogen
UTIs
Mood disorders Hormonal Therapy Estrogen
Hot flashes may interfere with sleep
Treatment of symptoms: