Link to EAHP Statements
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Abstract
The safe and appropriate use of hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) in women is one of the most misunderstood treatments in healthcare. The WHI study, where older HRT preparations were studied, raised concerns about the safety of HRT. However, a number of studies published since then provide reassurance about these safety concerns, as well as showing good evidence of the benefits women can obtain from the sensible use of modern HRT preparations.
Fluctuating hormone levels during perimenopause and menopause are associated with an increased prevalence of anxiety, low mood and depression in midlife. Around 1 in 3 perimenopausal and menopausal women are offered or prescribed antidepressants or anxiolytics for negative mood symptoms. There is no clear evidence of benefit for antidepressants when used to treat low mood in perimenopausal or menopausal women not diagnosed with clinical depression. Offering HRT to perimenopausal and menopausal women with psychological symptoms can improve quality of life and enables deprescribing in women already initiated on antidepressant therapy, reducing the risk of side effects and harms associated with long term antidepressant use.
Overview: This interactive, workshop will discuss the latest evidence for the use of natural, body identical HRT. It will also use specific cases to explore the practical aspects of menopause care and demonstrate how to deprescribe in certain situations. The cases will allow for brief discussions regarding the therapeutics at play. The session will also allow for and include brief discussion around decision making and communication, focusing on how to have meaningful conversations with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals. It will also highlight the key components of a menopause consultation.
The session will also explore the role of a menopause specialist pharmacist and how they approach consultations in a person-centred way ensuring shared decision making and individualised care.
Learning objectives
After the session, the participant should be able to:
– Improve understanding of perimenopause and menopause care and disease prevention.
– Identify the principles of management of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
– Learn to recognise and deal with specific circumstances for deprescribing in perimenopause and menopause care in certain patients linked to antidepressants and anxiolytics.
Educational need addressed
This session will address the value of having meaningful conversations with patients, carers and healthcare professionals and how this can enable pharmacy professionals to become more confident in considering options for management of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
Keywords
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