In this case study, the woman presents with hot flushes, night sweats, and genitourinary symptoms. 95% of women enter menopause at the age of 45 and 55 years old, since she is 46 years old, it is most likely that her symptoms are menopausal

In this case study, the woman presents with hot flushes, night sweats, and genitourinary symptoms. 95% of women enter menopause at the age of 45 and 55 years old, since she is 46 years old, it is most likely that her symptoms are menopausal

In this case study, the woman presents with hot flushes, night sweats, and genitourinary symptoms. 95% of women enter menopause at the age of 45 and 55 years old, since she is 46 years old, it is most likely that her symptoms are menopausal (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2017). The hot flashes and night sweat symptoms point towards the likelihood of vasomotor symptoms of menopause. Vasomotor symptoms are characteristic during the premenopausal period in approximately 80% of women (Roberts & Hickey, 2016). This patient is seeking relief of symptoms since menopausal symptoms interfere with activities of daily life. HRT such as estrogen replacement therapy may be the best and most appropriate for her presenting complaints. However, it has the following contraindications; patient with a history of heart disease, MI, DVT, breast cancer, PE, people with a vaginal bleeding history   with no known cause. The patient in this case study has a history of ASCUS, a possible CHD, hypertension, and a family history of breast cancer thus considered a high risk patient.

Women’s and Men’s Health Issues.

Recommendations to Revise These Drug Therapy Plans

Since this patient is considered a high risk patient for hormonal therapy, the most appropriate and best alternative would be SNRI or SSRI antidepressants. SSRI or SNRI antidepressants have demonstrated to be very effective in relieving vasomotor symptoms of menopause. Therefore, I would revise her drug therapy by prescribing escitalopram for the vasomotor symptoms and a topical estrogen for the genitourinary symptoms. Escitalopram, an SSRI, provides 50-60% reduction in vasomotor symptoms and is well tolerated (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2017).

Women’s and Men’s Health Issues.

I would also consider health education for this patient. Roberts & Hickey (2016) suggests starting with assessing a patient’s health literacy, identifying potential gaps in knowledge and providing baseline information. Education would include the side effects of using escitalopram, including diarrhea, headache, drowsiness, nausea and insomnia (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020). I would also include instructions on application of topical estrogen and lifestyle improvements to improve cardiovascular health. I will also stress on medication adherence, hypertension pathophysiology, cancer risk factors, and lifestyle modification for good health outcomes.