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Dr. Carmen Simón, a specialist in gynecology and obstetrics at Son Espases Hospital, talks to us about menopause and cystic fibrosis in this new informational segment.
The new paradigm
Thanks to scientific advances, people with cystic fibrosis are living to ages that were unimaginable 30 years ago, and as a result, they and their team of specialists are facing previously unknown challenges, such as menopause.
Differences between menopause with and without Cystic Fibrosis
Dr. Simón explains that the symptoms are the same in women with and without cystic fibrosis, both in terms of intensity and number; however, because women with the disease already have underlying respiratory and/or nutritional problems, their symptoms may be more severe. Another difference may be that menopause can occur slightly earlier in women with cystic fibrosis.
Symptoms of menopause
As for symptoms that may occur, in addition to the well-known hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, depression, and brain fog (forgetting things), etc., in some cases, these symptoms can be confused with those caused by Kaftrio, so it is recommended to seek specialized advice.
Hormone therapy: Yes or no?
Dr. Simón states that hormone therapy not only can be administered, but should be administered, as it can significantly improve symptoms and prevent osteoporosis, as well as improve metabolism (insulin resistance). It is important to assess which medications the patient is taking to avoid, as much as possible, any interference that might reduce the effectiveness of the estrogens, as well as to evaluate the patient’s individual risks (risk of thrombosis, catheterizations, infections, and corticosteroid treatments). In this case, transdermal or vaginal therapy is recommended, as these are safer options.
Interaction with modulators
Regarding the possible interaction of the new modulators with estrogens, it has been shown that Orkambi could indeed cause some interaction, but the triple combination (Kaftrio) did not; these results were obtained by extrapolating from studies involving contraceptives.
How to take care of yourself to stay healthy as you approach menopause
To reach old age in the best possible condition, women with cystic fibrosis should do strength training and pay close attention to their diet, in addition to avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking, poor nutrition, excessive stress, etc.
Coordination among teams
Coordination between gynecology and other specialties should be strengthened in hospitals so that the interactions between different treatments can be better studied.
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