Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a client about strategies to manage menopausal symptoms. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

1) Drink green tea to relieve menopausal hot flashes.
2) Take vitamin D supplements to relieve menopausal hot flashes.
3) Use water-based lubricant during intercourse to reduce discomfort.
4) Apply estrogen cream during intercourse to reduce discomfort.

Answer 1

To manage menopausal symptoms, using a water-based lubricant during sexual activity can help reduce discomfort caused by vaginal dryness. Estrogen cream may also be applied for localized hormone therapy, but should be used with caution due to potential risks. Vitamin D supplements are beneficial for maintaining bone health but do not directly relieve hot flashes.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching a client about managing menopausal symptoms, a nurse could include several strategies. One of the options given, using a water-based lubricant during intercourse to reduce discomfort, is a recommendation that can address vaginal dryness, which is commonly reported during menopause. This is due to the decrease in estrogen which impacts the moisture and elasticity of vaginal tissues. The use of a water-based lubricant during sexual activity can mitigate this issue and provide symptomatic relief.

Another option might be the application of estrogen cream during intercourse. This also aims to address vaginal dryness by providing localized hormone therapy. However, given the potential for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to have various negative side effects, including an increased risk of breast cancer or cardiovascular disease, the usage of estrogen cream should be approached with caution and guided by medical advice.

Additionally, taking vitamin D supplements can be important for bone health during menopause. Due to declining estrogen, which is involved in calcium metabolism, there's an increased risk of bone density loss, potentially leading to osteoporosis. Vitamin D helps maintain bone health, although it does not directly address menopausal hot flashes. As for drinking green tea, while commonly thought of as healthy, there is no strong evidence that it specifically relieves menopausal hot flashes.

It's important to note that hormone therapy (HT) is currently approved for the reduction of hot flashes and is typically considered at the onset of menopausal changes, wittoe the lowest effective dose for the shortest period necessary.