Jane Elliott on the Menopause Consult

Jane shared a structure for approaching the menopause consult and reiterated the importance of long consults/repeat consults if needed, and that Menopause consults should be thought of as general midlife consults for women.

Susan Davis on Prescribing MHT

Susan updated Congress participants on the latest evidence base for MHT use, in this constantly changing landscape. It was a good reminder that "hormonal" blood tests have minimal use, and that prectitioners should treat the patient and not the numbers.

Christina Jang on Non-hormonal Management of Menopause Symptoms 

Christina provided an update on the current options available and the evidence (or lack thereof) for their use.

Rod Baber on Managing Complex Cases and Patients During Menopause / Understanding Risk

Rob took participants through some case studies on how to approach patients who might present as complex in terms of prescribing MHT, e.g. patients with migraine, cardiovascular disease, endometriosis. Rod also shared a fantastic explanation on interpreting risks of MHT use, and how to explain those risks to patients

John Stevenson on Cardiovascular Disease, the Menopause and Oestrogen 

John went through risk factors for cardiovascular disease, how they are different for women vs men, how menopause can affect the cardiovascular system, and how MHT use at perimenopause and menopause is probably beneficial for prevention of cardiovascular disease - but more studies are needed to confirm this. 

Daniel Green on Incretin Therapies and Body Composition

The presentation looked at research around the use of Incretins for weight loss in older people, and concerns that lean mass is also lost with fat mass. This translates to a loss of strength -  all incretin therapies should be prescribed along with strength and resistance training to overcome this concern.

Ee Mun Lim on Sex hormones gone rogue? Biochemical Sleuthing in the Peri- and Menopausal Years 

A fantastic and entertaining talk about which investigations are helpful, and which are not, in managing menopausal patients.

Lauren Sanders on Headaches and Midlife 

A look at how all headache disorders, and particularly migraine, occur more in women vs men, and that they all tend to worsen around menopause. Red flags were discussed, as well as usual headache/migraine management, and the potential role of MHT in treatment.

Cassandra Szoeke on Women and Cognition

An overview of research into dementia in women, and how it differs from dementia in men. She reminded us that heart health is brain health,  and that many risk factors for dementia are modifiable.

Prof Susan Davis discussed "Testosterone use and misuse"

Susan talked through the currently available evidence for use of testosterone in women - currently this only supports its use for management of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women.

Prof Amanda Vincent on the Summary of Changes in Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Guidelines

Prof Amanda Vincent provided a fantastic summary of the key points and changes in the recent update of the international guidelines on premature ovarian insufficiency. Links to the guidelines for both healthcare professionals and patients are available via the AMS website. 

Prof John Stevenson Talked About "The Role of MHT in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis"

Prof Stevenson took participants through the currently available options for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and reminded us that MHT is an effective option for  prevention in women who are able to use it.

A/Prof Caroline Gurvich spoke to us about "Cognition during Menopause" and Latest Research Updates

She discussed the intricacies of menopausal "brain fog", and its management, and reminded us of the importance of establishing good brain health habits as we age.

A/Prof Emmeline Lee spoke about breast screening and challenges around imaging, particularly of dense breasts. She touched on the emerging use of AI in interpretation of breast imaging.

Dr Hilary Martin spoke about the management of breast cancer and the sequelae of treatment, particularly of medically-induced menopause. She remined us that symptom management is important for quality of life, and that if patients have their symptoms well-controlled they are much more likely to be adherent to their required treatments.

Dr Meg Henze spoke on the endocrine consequences of breast cancer therapies and survivorship, especially those consequences of early menopause, bone issues and fracture risk, and fertility issues.

This bonus presentation from Dr Sonia Davison, entitled "MHT show and tell". Sonia talked about all of the available MHT products in Australia, and how they are used. This presentation was extremely well-received!

Dr Katie Penrose on "Bladder Problems in the Midlife" 

Katie spoke on recurrent UTI, over-active bladder and incontinence, and GSM. She went through assessment and management of these common midlife issues.

Dr Rachael Foster spoke on "When is it not GSM?"

Focusing her dermatology lens on diagnosis and management of vulvovaginal skin conditions in midlife.

Dr Lucy Williams spoke on "Managing the Symptomatic Perimenopausal Woman"

Lucy reminded attendees about the difficulties in managing symptoms that can be caused by oestrogen excess, oestrogen deficiency, or by the wild fluctuations in oestrogen around this time!

Professor Susan Davis and Professor Bronwyn Stuckey Debate

We were then treated to a debate by two Australian menopause giants - Professor Susan Davis (FOR) and Professor Bronwyn Stuckey (AGAINST) debating "Transdermal MHT should always be first line". Congratulations to Professor Stuckey on her victory!

Helena Green Presented "Embracing Change: Understanding Menopause, Libido and Sexual Wellness"

Helena Green, sexologist and psychosocial therapist, presented "Embracing change: understanding menopause,  libido and sexual wellness", reminding us to enquire about sex if our patients don't volunteer the information, and giving us a PLISSIT model to help achieve this.