Menopause: providing comprehensive care for women in transition

Knowledge and research on the physiological changes associated with menopause is steadily expanding. A partnership between women and health care providers can contribute to the quality of women's life expectancy which is estimated to be 79.1 years (United States Bureau of Census, 1993). Menopause is a normal phenomena of aging and women experiencing menopause must have access to comprehensive care, including a complete history, thorough physical exam, risk factor and age-appropriate screening, and patient education. Studies confirm women's lack of knowledge concerning menopause and the need for education on bodily changes and approaches to self-care during transition. Decline in the ovarian production of estrogen and the feedback effect of gondatropins leads to an increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) of 40 mlU/mL. Vasomotor flushing, night sweats, vaginal dryness, shortening of the menstrual cycle with heavy flow progressing to longer cycles and scant flow and eventual cessation of menses for a period of 12 consecutive months confirms menopause. A program of screening and education for self-care can enhance women's quality of life.