When the Ovaries Retire: Menopause in the ED

About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of recognizing menopause in emergency medicine and its implications for patient care.

Menopause is not just “hot flashes”—it is a systemic hormonal shift that affects almost every organ system. For the emergency clinician, recognizing the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause is crucial for expanding the differential diagnosis once life-threatening conditions are ruled out. Dr. Pam Dyne joins us for a crash course on evaluating menopausal and perimenopausal patients in the ED. The “Why”: Why Menopause Matters in the ED The Mimic: Menopausal symptoms can mimic emergencies, including cardiac events, neurologic issues, and acute musculoskeletal injuries. The “Nothing Bad” Trap: After a negative workup (e.g., for chest pain or abdominal pain), telling a patient “everything is normal” often leaves them without answers. Identifying menopause as a potential etiology provides patient-centered closure and a path to treatment. Empowerment: Many medical providers are insufficiently trained when it come to menopause – ED clinicians can help patients advocate for themselves. Physiology Refresher: When the Ovaries Retire The Signal: Prior to menopause, the brain sends FSH/LH to the ovaries, and the ovaries answer with…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Pam Dyne

Topics covered

• menopause
• emergency medicine
• perimenopause
• hormonal shift
• patient care

Keywords

• menopause
• perimenopause
• emergency department
• hormone therapy
• symptoms
• FSH
• LH
• patient advocacy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: UC Davis Department of Emergency Medicine

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