Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which of the following is NOT a possible finding during the early stages of menopause?

1. Hot flashes

2. Irregular menstrual periods

3. Severe vaginal atrophic changes

4. Cyclic mood swings

The correct answer is: Severe vaginal atrophic changes

In the early stages of menopause, commonly known as perimenopause, women may experience a variety of symptoms as hormonal levels begin to fluctuate. Hot flashes, irregular menstrual periods, and cyclic mood swings are all typical findings during this transition. Hot flashes are caused by changes in the body's temperature regulation linked to decreasing estrogen levels, which can lead to sudden feelings of warmth, often accompanied by sweating and sometimes followed by chills. Irregular menstrual periods are also prevalent during this phase, as the menstrual cycle may become inconsistent before menstruation ceases completely. Cyclic mood swings can occur due to hormonal fluctuations, impacting neurotransmitter levels that affect mood. Many women experience emotional variability during this time as estrogen and progesterone levels are not stable. Severe vaginal atrophic changes, on the other hand, are typically more pronounced in the later stages of menopause, known as postmenopause. During the early stages, while some women might experience mild changes related to vaginal dryness, the more significant atrophic changes related to loss of estrogen—such as thinning of the vaginal walls, decreased lubrication, and other aspects of vaginal atrophy—are less likely to be present at this stage. Therefore, it is accurate to say that severe vaginal atrophic changes are not a