Endocrinology and management of hormone therapy in older women

1.0 CME/CE Credits

Symposium held November 2008 at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California. Supported by an independent educational grant from Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Presenters

	John E. Buster, MD Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology Warren Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University Women and Infants' Hospital Rhode Island Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Providence, Rhode Island	A supplement containing additional information from this webcast appeared in the May 2009 issue of SRM.
	Nanette Santoro, MD Professor and Director Division of Reproductive Endocrinology Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, New York

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The typical American woman spends approximately one third of her lifetime in the postmenopausal state, which is associated with dramatic changes in body composition and metabolism. As medical care improves worldwide and the population ages, physicians are called upon increasingly to help women adjust to their postmenopausal physiology. While hormonal therapy for postmenopausal symptoms has focused on the use of estrogens, an emerging problem for postmenopausal women is hypoactive sexual desire associated with decreased androgen production. Participants in prior educational activities have requested discussions of the physiology and pharmacotherapeutics of postmenopausal hormone therapy, including estrogens, progestogens and androgens. The goal of this course is to assess critically evidence-based approaches to menopausal medicine for physicians and allied health professionals. Internationally prominent experts will consider contemporary evidence-based management of postmenopausal women with special consideration given to cardiovascular disease, osteopenia and osteoporosis, incontinence, mood disorders, and decreased libido. The beneficial and detrimental effects of gonadal steroids will be considered in detail. Healthcare providers should become aware of the risks and benefits of the various preparations available. This activity is intended to meet the critical need of identifying symptoms that require treatment and discussing appropriate treatment options to provide optimal patient care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

1. Describe the changes in circulating concentrations of estrogens, androgens and progestogens in aging women and the physiologic consequences of these changes.
2. Identify postmenopausal patients who might benefit from therapy with estrogens, androgens and progestogens, alone or in combination.
3. Evaluate the differences between oral and transdermal delivery systems of postmenopausal hormones.
4. Implement the appropriate hormonal regimen for treatment of postmenopausal symptoms.
5. Discuss the evidence pertaining to androgen deficiency in women.
6. Diagnose and treat hypoactive sexual desire in women.

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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.^TM

All speakers were required to complete a disclosure of commercial and financial relationships with manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, laboratory supplies, or medical devices and with commercial providers of medically related services. These disclosures were reviewed and potential conflicts of interest resolved by the Subcommittee on Standards of Commercial Support of the Continuing Medical Education Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. The disclosures are listed in the presentations.

Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause © 2008 Quadrant HealthCom Inc.