Mary’s Health Part C: Menopause
Due to Mary’s clinical condition, age, high risk for fractures and post menopausal hormone changes, Mary may require hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to regulate her hormone levels.
The anterior pituitary gland stimulates the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which facilitates the production of the hormones Estrogen and Progesterone in the ovaries.
FSH= Estrogen & Progesterone
Hormones
Estrogen
- Regulates menstrual cycle and reproductive tract
- Facilitate young women undergoing puberty
- Responsible for the development of sex organs
Progesterone
- Released primarily when a woman is pregnant
- Relaxes the uterine smooth muscles for dilation and delaying contractions
Estrogen and progesterone are produced by Granulosa cells of the ovaries.
What is menopause?
- Defined by 1 year of amenorrhea in women
- Typically occurs around the age of 50
- Fertility, reproductive function & metabolism declines with age
- Decreasing release of reproductive hormones
Declining estrogen levels increases the rate of bone reabsorption and increases osteoclast activity, in which the bone becomes porous and weak
Osteoblasts: bone building cells
Osteoclasts: bone crushing cells
Normal Osteoporosis
Critical Thinking & Application
What is the relationship between Calcium and Phosphate in bone breakdown and repair physiology?
The relationship between Calcium and phosphate simply is that Calcium builds bones and repairs/ strengthens the skeletal system, while phosphorus actively breaks down and reabsorbs bone cells essentially weakening the skeletal system and making the body susceptible to fractures. Therefore, the Parathyroid hormone actively regulates Calcium and Phosphate levels to regulate Bone Homeostasis to function.
What biomarker/ diagnostic test is commonly decreased in Mary’s age demographic’s musculoskeletal system?
Bone Density is decreased
Mary’s Symptoms
Treating Mary’s Menopause
Removing the ovaries stop the symptoms of Menopause. Mary is not ready to remove her ovaries, so she begins HRT.
Estrogen & Progesterone replacement therapy
- Most common treatment for women 50+
- Requires long-term commitment
- Stabilizes mood, restores libido, prevents further bone reabsorption, relieves symptoms