MENOPAUSE EXAM 170 QUESTIONS & CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST 2026/2027
What is the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of osteoporosis based on
bone mineral density (BMD) T-score? - ANSWER-A T-score ≤ -2.5 at the lumbar
spine, femoral neck, or total hip defines osteoporosis per WHO criteria.
At what age does the North American Menopause Society recommend routine
DXA screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women? - ANSWER-Age 65
years or older is the threshold for routine DXA screening in postmenopausal
women, or younger if risk factors are present.
How is osteopenia defined by T-score on DXA? - ANSWER-A T-score between -
1.0 and -2.5 defines osteopenia.
What is the primary effect of menopause on bone health? - ANSWER-Estrogen
deficiency after menopause accelerates bone resorption, leading to rapid bone loss.
List three major risk factors for low bone mass and fracture in postmenopausal
women. - ANSWER-Advanced age, prior fragility fracture, and glucocorticoid use
are major risk factors.
Which tool is commonly used to estimate 10-year fracture risk in clinical practice?
- ANSWER-FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) is commonly used to estimate
10-year fracture risk.
,What is the threshold 10-year risk of hip fracture or major osteoporotic fracture
that indicates pharmacologic therapy according to FRAX? - ANSWER-A 10-year
hip fracture risk ≥3% or major osteoporotic fracture risk ≥20% indicates
pharmacologic therapy per FRAX.
Name two first-line pharmacologic therapies for osteoporosis in postmenopausal
women. - ANSWER-Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic
acid) and denosumab are first-line therapies.
What is the role of hormone therapy in the prevention of postmenopausal
osteoporosis? - ANSWER-Hormone therapy is effective for prevention of bone
loss in early postmenopausal women at risk, but not first-line for osteoporosis
treatment.
Which pharmacologic agent is preferred for women at very high risk of fracture? -
ANSWER-Anabolic agents (e.g., teriparatide, abaloparatide, romosozumab) are
preferred for women at very high fracture risk.
What are the main contraindications to menopausal hormone therapy? -
ANSWER-Active or recent breast cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, active
thromboembolic disease, and liver dysfunction are main contraindications to
hormone therapy.
Why is progestogen added to estrogen therapy in women with an intact uterus? -
ANSWER-Progestogen is needed with estrogen therapy in women with a uterus to
prevent endometrial hyperplasia/cancer.
Compare the risks of oral versus transdermal estrogen therapy. - ANSWER-
Transdermal estrogen has a lower risk of venous thromboembolism and stroke
compared to oral estrogen.
, What is the recommended duration of systemic hormone therapy for vasomotor
symptoms? - ANSWER-The shortest duration necessary to control symptoms,
typically reassessed annually; often 3-5 years for systemic therapy.
Describe the difference between continuous and sequential hormone therapy
regimens. - ANSWER-Continuous regimens provide daily estrogen and
progestogen; sequential regimens provide estrogen daily and progestogen for 10-14
days/month.
List two common side effects of systemic hormone therapy. - ANSWER-Breast
tenderness and vaginal bleeding are common side effects of systemic hormone
therapy.
Name two types of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) used in
menopause management. - ANSWER-Raloxifene and bazedoxifene are SERMs
used in menopause management.
What are the risks associated with compounded or non-approved hormone therapy
preparations? - ANSWER-Compounded or non-approved hormone therapies carry
risks of inconsistent dosing, lack of efficacy, and increased adverse effects.
Which local therapy is recommended for genitourinary syndrome of menopause? -
ANSWER-Vaginal estrogen is recommended for genitourinary syndrome of
menopause (GSM).
Name two nonhormonal prescription options for vasomotor symptom management.
- ANSWER-SSRIs (e.g., paroxetine) and SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine) are
nonhormonal prescription options for vasomotor symptoms.
ANSWERS LATEST 2026/2027
What is the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of osteoporosis based on
bone mineral density (BMD) T-score? - ANSWER-A T-score ≤ -2.5 at the lumbar
spine, femoral neck, or total hip defines osteoporosis per WHO criteria.
At what age does the North American Menopause Society recommend routine
DXA screening for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women? - ANSWER-Age 65
years or older is the threshold for routine DXA screening in postmenopausal
women, or younger if risk factors are present.
How is osteopenia defined by T-score on DXA? - ANSWER-A T-score between -
1.0 and -2.5 defines osteopenia.
What is the primary effect of menopause on bone health? - ANSWER-Estrogen
deficiency after menopause accelerates bone resorption, leading to rapid bone loss.
List three major risk factors for low bone mass and fracture in postmenopausal
women. - ANSWER-Advanced age, prior fragility fracture, and glucocorticoid use
are major risk factors.
Which tool is commonly used to estimate 10-year fracture risk in clinical practice?
- ANSWER-FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) is commonly used to estimate
10-year fracture risk.
,What is the threshold 10-year risk of hip fracture or major osteoporotic fracture
that indicates pharmacologic therapy according to FRAX? - ANSWER-A 10-year
hip fracture risk ≥3% or major osteoporotic fracture risk ≥20% indicates
pharmacologic therapy per FRAX.
Name two first-line pharmacologic therapies for osteoporosis in postmenopausal
women. - ANSWER-Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic
acid) and denosumab are first-line therapies.
What is the role of hormone therapy in the prevention of postmenopausal
osteoporosis? - ANSWER-Hormone therapy is effective for prevention of bone
loss in early postmenopausal women at risk, but not first-line for osteoporosis
treatment.
Which pharmacologic agent is preferred for women at very high risk of fracture? -
ANSWER-Anabolic agents (e.g., teriparatide, abaloparatide, romosozumab) are
preferred for women at very high fracture risk.
What are the main contraindications to menopausal hormone therapy? -
ANSWER-Active or recent breast cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, active
thromboembolic disease, and liver dysfunction are main contraindications to
hormone therapy.
Why is progestogen added to estrogen therapy in women with an intact uterus? -
ANSWER-Progestogen is needed with estrogen therapy in women with a uterus to
prevent endometrial hyperplasia/cancer.
Compare the risks of oral versus transdermal estrogen therapy. - ANSWER-
Transdermal estrogen has a lower risk of venous thromboembolism and stroke
compared to oral estrogen.
, What is the recommended duration of systemic hormone therapy for vasomotor
symptoms? - ANSWER-The shortest duration necessary to control symptoms,
typically reassessed annually; often 3-5 years for systemic therapy.
Describe the difference between continuous and sequential hormone therapy
regimens. - ANSWER-Continuous regimens provide daily estrogen and
progestogen; sequential regimens provide estrogen daily and progestogen for 10-14
days/month.
List two common side effects of systemic hormone therapy. - ANSWER-Breast
tenderness and vaginal bleeding are common side effects of systemic hormone
therapy.
Name two types of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) used in
menopause management. - ANSWER-Raloxifene and bazedoxifene are SERMs
used in menopause management.
What are the risks associated with compounded or non-approved hormone therapy
preparations? - ANSWER-Compounded or non-approved hormone therapies carry
risks of inconsistent dosing, lack of efficacy, and increased adverse effects.
Which local therapy is recommended for genitourinary syndrome of menopause? -
ANSWER-Vaginal estrogen is recommended for genitourinary syndrome of
menopause (GSM).
Name two nonhormonal prescription options for vasomotor symptom management.
- ANSWER-SSRIs (e.g., paroxetine) and SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine) are
nonhormonal prescription options for vasomotor symptoms.
