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Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, Menopause, and Hormone Replacement Therapy

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Advanced Practice in Endocrinology Nursing

Abstract

Menopause and the years preceding it are associated with a wide variety of symptoms that are often missed in a routine consultation. Informed choice regarding hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle options can alleviate much of the burden of the menopause when this change in life has a major impact on well-being. Premature ovarian insufficiency is one of the most difficult conditions in reproductive medicine. It occurs in 1% of women. The impact of the diagnosis can dissipate with time assisted by full evaluation and discussion of the implications of POI. The role of the nurse includes assessment of symptoms, discussion of implications for fertility as well as assisted fertility treatment options and then to give guidance through choices of sex steroid replacement. Ongoing education is required in order to adapt the level of information and types of treatment according to life circumstances. Women with ovarian insufficiency frequently feel isolated or that there is insufficient time in a clinic visit for full discussion. Nursing input can overcome some of these limitations.

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Abbreviations

AMH:

Antimullerian hormone

APS:

Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes

BMI:

Body mass index

COCP:

Combined oral contraceptive pill

DXA:

Dual X-ray absorptiometry

Fra-X:

Fragile X

FSH:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

HRT:

Hormone replacement therapy

LH:

Luteinising hormone

LOR:

Low ovarian reserve

POI:

Premature ovarian insufficiency

TS:

Turner Syndrome

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Marie Gerval, Co-Chair, The Daisy Network (www.daisynetwork.org.uk) for the contribution to this chapter with a case study and information on the Patient Advocacy Group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK

    Gerard S. Conway

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  1. Gerard S. Conway
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Correspondence to Gerard S. Conway .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK

    Sofia Llahana

  2. Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden

    Cecilia Follin

  3. Northwest Pituitary Center Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA

    Christine Yedinak

  4. Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Ashley Grossman

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Conway, G.S. (2019). Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, Menopause, and Hormone Replacement Therapy. In: Llahana, S., Follin, C., Yedinak, C., Grossman, A. (eds) Advanced Practice in Endocrinology Nursing. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99817-6_41

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99817-6_41

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-99817-6

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