Pricing

ISMS members: Free
Non-ISMS members: $75.00

Course description

Every year, approximately 1.3 million women in the United States experience menopause, defined as 12 consecutive months without a period.  This transition is often characterized by vasomotor symptoms (VMS), mood changes, joint aches, sleep disturbance, brain fog, genitourinary and other physical changes.  In the 1960s, hormone therapy was approved for the treatment of VMS and was widely prescribed by the 1990s; however, hormone therapy fell out of favor in 2002 when the Women’s Health Initiative published research findings linking hormone therapy to a higher risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Subsequent analyses using age stratification revealed the risk: benefit ratio and safety profiles differed significantly depending on age, time since menopause, and co-morbidities.  Decades later, many physicians and patients are still unaware of these nuanced results.  Today, research indicates that the benefits of hormone therapy for women with bothersome VMS generally outweigh the risks for women when initiated within 10 years of menopause and <60 years of age; however, treatment should be individualized based on risk-benefit assessment. Newer FDA-approved nonhormone therapies are also effective in treating VMS and sleep disturbance and other effective treatments for other bothersome symptoms are available. Care for midlife women at menopause should also include consideration of menopause-related changes in cardiovascular, bone, and metabolic health.

Despite the high prevalence of menopausal symptoms and menopause-related chronic health risks, many clinicians lack up-to-date knowledge, confidence and skills to counsel patients about available treatment options to address the symptoms of menopause leading to sub-optimal shared decision-making and inconsistent care.  Physicians can benefit from a review of currently available hormonal and non-hormone treatment options, including appropriate patient selection, timing of initiation, type and route of administration, dosing, duration, and management of risks. 

Please join the Illinois State Medical Society in welcoming faculty members Drs. Makeba Williams, Lauren Williams, VK Gadi, and Dr. Pauline Maki from University of Illinois at Chicago and the Center for Health, Awareness, and Research on Menopause (CHARM) to learn more about Menopause Essentials and critical updates for the practicing physician.

Learning objectives

At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants will be able to:

• Describe the physiological changes associated with menopause and perimenopause and their impact on vasomotor, genitourinary, skeletal, cardiovascular, bone, psychological, cognitive, and metabolic health
• Evaluate menopausal symptoms and associated health risks using evidence-based diagnostic criteria and risk-stratification tools
• Compare hormone and non-hormone treatment options for menopause, including indications, contraindications, benefits, and risks
• Apply current clinical guidelines to individualize menopause management based on patient age, symptom burden, co-morbidities, and personal preference
• Implement shared decision-making strategies to counsel patients on menopause treatment options, monitoring, and long-term follow-up

Disclosure

Dr. Pauline Maki disclosed she is consultant for Astellas and Bayer, owns equity in Estrigenix, and Respin, and has, within the last 24 months, divested her interest in MidiHealth.  Dr. Maki’s presentation discusses the effects of menopause hormone therapy on sleep, cognition, and mood; menopause hormone therapy is not currently approved for those indications (guidelines cited for unlabeled use).  All relevant relationships have been mitigated.

All other planners, faculty, and others in control of content have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

CME information

The Illinois State Medical Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Illinois State Medical Society designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Illinois Nurse Practice Act rules deem CME credit provided by approved sponsors as acceptable to fulfill nursing continuing education requirements for licensure. Nurses may claim one contact hour per unit of CME in the state of Illinois.