In this edition
- Severe menopause symptoms may take toll on brain health
- IMS World Congress on Menopause in Melbourne 2024
- Explore the Scientific Program for IMS World Congress: Plenary Lectures
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) patch shortages August 2024
Health Professionals - join AMS for Members-only content
- Menopause Matters
- A New Interactive Tool for Safe Contraceptive Prescribing in Perimenopause
- 2023 AMS Congress presentations: Individualising MTH: Australian and NZ Perspectives
- European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Online School 2024
- European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Newsletter
In this edition
Severe menopause symptoms may take toll on brain health
With more than 24 million people globally living with dementia without a cure in sight, there is a lot of focus on ways to prevent and delay cognitive impairment. A new study suggests that severe menopause symptoms such as hot flushes and depression can negatively affect cognitive function in postmenopausal women.
In conjunction with our ageing population, dementia diagnoses are on the rise. It is estimated that 4.6 million new cases are diagnosed every year, which translates into one person being diagnosed with dementia every 7 seconds. That means dementia cases are expected to double every 20 years, reaching 81.1 million by 2040.
The good news is that medical experts estimate that 40% of cases of Alzheimer disease, the most common form of dementia, can be prevented or, at minimum, delayed. Because of this fact, there is a lot of interest in identifying risk factors. Recent research has focused on the importance of estradiol in female cognitive ageing. Because the menopause transition is characterized by a decline in estrogen, postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of dementia.
A new study involving nearly 1,300 late-postmenopausal women from nine Latin American countries suggests that severe menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep, and mood disturbances were linked with cognitive impairment. Whether effectively treating hot flushes with hormone therapy or other approved therapies can help improve cognition in the form of memory, attention, language, and executive function, is unknown.
Based on these results, the researchers concluded that there is intricate interplay between hormonal, lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors involved with cognitive health.
Read more here
Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) patch shortages July 2024
Australia
Patch Shortages
There are a number of MHTs that are currently unavailable. Please note that the TGA has approved some unregistered products under Section 19A and some substitute doses are currently in supply in Australia. Pharmacists are encouraged to contact suppliers Medsurge Healthcare Pty Ltd on 1300 788 261 for orders of Estramon and Sandoz on 1800 726 369 for orders of Estradiol Transdermal System.
Oestradiol patches
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Expected supply due
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Alternative supply under Section 19A
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Dose
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Estradot
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Estraderm
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Estramon
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Estradiol Transdermal System
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25 mcg
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20 Jan 2025
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Low avaiability
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Available
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37.5 mcg
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16 Dec 2024
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Available
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Available
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50 mcg
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20 Jan 2025
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Available
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Available
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Available
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75 mcg
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16 Sep 2024
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30 Sep 2024
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Available
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Available
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100 mcg
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18 Oct 2024
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Available
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Available
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Available
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Combined patches
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Dose
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Estalis Sequi
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Estalis Conti
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50/140
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17 June 2024
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8 Jun 2024
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50/250
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15 Jul 2024
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3 Aug 2024
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All doses of Climara have been deleted from the market and there will be a reduction in supply until supply is exhausted.
The AMS Guide to MHT Doses (Australia only) provides a guideline to approximately equivalent doses of the different MHT/HRT products in Australia.
New Zealand
As at 15 May 2024, patch availability is provided below.
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Dose
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Estradot
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Viatris
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Estraderm MX
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25mcg
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Low
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Available
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Available
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50mcg
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Low
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Available
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75mcg
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Low
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Available
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100mcg
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Low
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Available
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More information can be found here
The AMS Guide to MHT Doses (New Zealand only) provides a guideline to approximately equivalent doses of the different MHT/HRT products in New Zealand.
IMS World Congress on Menopause in Melbourne 2024
The the 19th World Congress on Menopause is fast approaching. There are around 800 attendees from Australia and New Zealand of which 256 are AMS members, with 80 of those from New Zealand.
Registration for Australian and New Zealand trainees is still FREE until 23 September 2024. Simply go here to register.
Menopause Essentials Update
Want to refresh your understanding of the basic physiology of menopause, its health implications and implement effective treatment strategies? Join us in Room 203 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday the 18th of October for the Menopause Essentials Update. This Update is designed to be globally applicable and clinically practical for specialists and non-specialists alike. It is also a fantastic opportunity to earn valuable CPD points while enhancing your expertise. Book your place here!
Explore the Scientific Program for IMS World Congress: Plenary Lectures
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Peter Van Keep Lecture - Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Prof. Nick Panay (GB)
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Heart Matters: The unique landscape of CV health in women
Prof. Gemma Figtree (AU)
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Bringing Sex Back into the Relationship
Prof. Rossella Nappi (IT)
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Long Term Strategies for Osteoporosis Care
Prof. Eugene McCloskey (GB)
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Not Just Sex: Other roles for testosterone in women
Prof. Susan Davis AO (AU)
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Medical Management of Obesity: Unlocking the potential
Prof. Priya Sumithran (AU)
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Menopause, Women and the Workplace
Prof. Karen Walker Bone (AU)
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Understanding the Perimenopause Journey
Prof. Nanette Santoro (US)
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Enhancing Quality of Life: Addressing vulvovaginal atrophy
Prof. Angelica Lindén Hirschberg (SE)
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Laser for GSM: What we know and what we need to know
Prof. Jason Abbott (AU)
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See the full Scientific Program Here
Health Professionals - join AMS for Members-only content
Menopause Matters: Professor Athol Kent has reviewes and comments on recent journal articles.
A New Interactive Tool for Safe Contraceptive Prescribing in Perimenopause
2023 AMS Congress presentations: Individualising MTH: Australian and NZ Perspectives
European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Online School 2024: Details here.
European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) Newsletter AMS is an affiliate of EMAS. See latest copy.
