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Menopause: A Hot Topic Jo Ann Jones, RN and Myra Siminovitch, PT. Telehealth Presentation January 22, 2008. Common Symptoms Changes In Menstrual Cycle Hot Flashes/ Night Sweats Vaginal Dryness Disrupted Sleep Fatigue Mood Swings. Menopause Common Symptoms.
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Menopause: A Hot TopicJo Ann Jones, RN and Myra Siminovitch, PT.Telehealth PresentationJanuary 22, 2008 Common Symptoms • Changes In Menstrual Cycle • Hot Flashes/ Night Sweats • Vaginal Dryness • Disrupted Sleep • Fatigue • Mood Swings
MenopauseCommon Symptoms • Loss of sexual Desire/Painful Intercourse • Increased Body Fat • Memory and Concentration Difficulties • Wrinkles • Rogue Chin Hairs • Vision Changes
MenopauseLess Common Symptoms • Crawly Feeling Under Skin • Sensitivity To Touching By Others • Acne • Rapid Heart Beat • Chills Or Extreme Warmth • Vaginal Or Urinary Tract Infections • Bloating, Gas Pains, Flatulence • Urinary Leakage
MenopauseLess Common Symptoms • Migraine Headaches • Thinning Scalp Hair • Aching Ankles, Wrists, Knees, Shoulders • Anxiety and Panic Attacks • Easily Wounded Feelings • Sudden Inappropriate Bursts of Anger
Taboo Topics • Vaginal Dryness • Loss of sexual Desire/Painful Intercourse • Vaginal Or Urinary Tract Infections • Urinary Leakage • Perineal & Bladder Health • Bone health • Heart Health
Vulvovaginal Anatomy 101 • Vulva means “Covering” • Vulva: External Female Genital organs: Labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethra • Labia Majora: Outer larger lips • Fatty pads of tissue wrap around the vulva usually covered with hair • Labia Minora: Inner smaller lips • Thin stretches of tissue that protect the vagina, urethra and clitoris • Clitoris: Highly sensitive tissue • oval-shaped body of spongy tissue, located at top of labia minora
Vulvovaginal Anatomy 101 • Vagina: Opening that extends into your body • Intercourse, birth canal • Urethra: Passage for urine, connected to the bladder • Located below clitoris • Perineum: Stretch of skin from the bottom of the vulva to the anus • Vestibule: Area between the inner lips • Openings of urethra, vagina and many small glands
How the Bladder Works • The bladder is a muscle which is shaped like a balloon • The Bladder has two Functions: • The storage of urine • The elimination of urine • The bladder contracts when it is full to empty
How the Bladder Works • The sphincter muscle acts like a faucet. When closed it helps prevent urine from leaking. When open the urine can pass out • The brain and nervous system receive a message when the bladder is full to signal you to empty your bladder
Lack of Estrogenon Pelvic Tissues • Muscles and tissues become thin and lose some of their strength and support • More prone to urinary leakage incontinence • Vaginitis: Itching, redness +soreness in and around the vagina (vulva). • difficulty with penetration/sexual activity • Bladder infections become more frequent • discharge from the vagina can lead to UTI. • The bacteria irritates the bladder and makes it contract more often • Burning feeling or pain when voiding • Having to void frequently and urgently
Loss of Estrogen • Causes the tissues around the bladder to lose their tone • Causes loss of tightness of the sphincter muscle
Pelvic floor Muscles • Support, hold in pelvic contents • Bladder, urethra, bowel, vagina and uterus • Closing Force • When tightened, muscles around the urethra, vagina and anus place a closing force to stop leakage
Take Control • Bladder Health • “Leaking” Is Not A Normal Part Of Aging • Bone health • Broken Bones Can Be Prevented • Heart Health • Be Aware
Take Control • Dryness or mild discomfort • Lubricants: Astroglide, Gynemoistrine, • KY gel, Replens • Vulvar & Vaginal Atrophy • Local application of estrogen in the form of tablet, cream or ring
Personal Hygiene • Wash and wipe from the front to the back • Wash with warm water and pat or blow dry • Use Dove Liquid Soap • Avoid • feminine hygiene sprays • bubble bath • baby wipes • Wear white cotton underwear
Take Control • Bladder Health • “Leaking” Is Not A Normal Part Of Aging • Bone health • Broken Bones Can Be Prevented • Heart Health • Be Aware
Kegel Exercises • Contract your pelvic floor muscles as if you wanted to hold gas or as if you wanted to stop the urine flow • Do not contract your stomach, seat or leg muscles • Hold for 5-10 seconds, relax 10 seconds • Repeat 10 times in a row = 1 set • Repeat 6-7 sets per day
Menopause & Heart Health • Increase in cholesterol and other blood fats • Increase in blood pressure • Increase in weight • Prevention: • Healthy lifestyle • Check blood pressure and Cholesterol levels
Resources • The North American Menopause Society • www.menopause.org • Women’s Mid Life Health Centre Of Saskatchewan • www.menopausecentre.org