This is summary of the menopause conference is super helpful and detailed! I look forward to your future post about Dr. Maki's presentation on dementia, hormone therapy and cognition.
I love that CBT has shown so many positive effects for menopausal women. Women are being pulled in so many directions these days--work, partner, kids, to be the perfect size, home maker, etc. Having someone to talk to and work through things is incredibly helpful. Movements, diet, therapy are all massive game changers.
Thank you for the summary- I’d welcome more peeks at your notes as I couldn’t make it this year. I wish recommendations for CBT were more specific as to what works. Not all therapy and therapists have the same effects, and I’d love for this non-pharmacologic tool to be more reliably available. Keep up the great work!
About misinformation--I think another place where it circulates is in Facebook groups on various medical conditions. There are multiple groups for menopause, hysterectomies, fibroids, even specific groups for procedures like uterine artery embolization. These groups have tens of thousands of members and can be incredibly helpful--for instance, sharing practical tips for post-hysterectomy recovery that women aren't getting from their doctors. But interspersed with useful practical advice is lots of misinformation.
the other aspect about Facebook is that misinformation influencers can run highly targeted ads and if they use the right demographics + keywords, get those ads, that look like content posts from experts, in front of a very specific audience. They can then get them to join their own groups where they are free to upsell overpriced services and untested products all in the name of helping women.
Someone please do something about Menopause Chicks! A closed FB group run by Shirley Weir with zero medicine or science cred who resells a vaginal moisturizer developed by a company in Burnaby that she claims she developed. One scam after another.
I was at the meeting as well - wish I had seen you! It was my first time attending, and I was (and am) blown away by the caliber of the presentations and how kind all of the highly accomplished women there are! Loved this recap and Dr. Maki’s talk :)
PS - I also have pages and pages of notes. So much great content and lots to think about!
Thank you for this information! I was unable to attend this year. As a Women’s health NP and NAMS menopause provider, I’m seeing a lot of menopausal patients in my practice. The misinformation is so exhausting. The menoverse grifting is accelerating! Just today, I had a patient who got angry I would not prescribe the non-hormonal “medication” that cures brain fog (not even sure what that is???) Many “menopause expert” accounts are outwardly hostile towards medical professionals who are “withholding” the truth and magic remedies from patients. This is so offensive. I care deeply about my patients and their experiences. It is not in the patient’s best interest to tell them what I WISH therapeutic interventions would do rather than what we know they do. The lack of data and robust studies on women is a fundamental problem, but the solution isn’t guesswork.
I couldn't agree more!! It is truly maddening to dispel the misinformation--I see so many women who come in after seeing a "functional medicine provider"--wanting to know why I won't "balance their hormones." I have seen reports from companies who have their own labs and lab parameters (which often don't align with what is considered "normal"). They bring in copies of reports (and all of their lab results) and the "recommendations" that were made, which are often for supplements or compounded hormones that cost hundreds of dollars. They don't understand WHY I won't check hormone levels to figure out what I should give them. I am so thankful for these type of forums and for The Menopause Society (I give out Menonotes every single day!)
Thank you so much for the summary. Interesting information about CBT. Unfortunately it’s not as easy as taking a pill, therefore may not be as attractive an option for some. Abhorrent how some in the influencer space would rather sell supplements than provide evidence based treatment.
Excellent summary, Dr. Jen — you rock, as always! I especially appreciate the recommendations on female pattern hair loss. I've been tempted to invest (probably too much) into one of those low-level light therapy devices, but I think I will start with the oral minoxidil and 100 mg Spironolactone if my PCP doesn't see any conflicts for me.
Interesting information. Some women could have an endocrine issue as well, hair loss both hypo and hyperthyroidism. Moods, weight, muscle pain and skin issues are a result of thyroid issues as well. The Menopause society does have a page set up that mentions this. I happened to read the posted 2024 information and noted that hypnosis and CBT were listed. The information did state that there is "mixed findings with minimal impact on hot flash reduction". The issue may be for many women the cost of such therapy. Where I live it is not covered by provincial health care and many can not afford this type of help.
This is summary of the menopause conference is super helpful and detailed! I look forward to your future post about Dr. Maki's presentation on dementia, hormone therapy and cognition.
I love that CBT has shown so many positive effects for menopausal women. Women are being pulled in so many directions these days--work, partner, kids, to be the perfect size, home maker, etc. Having someone to talk to and work through things is incredibly helpful. Movements, diet, therapy are all massive game changers.
Thank you for the summary- I’d welcome more peeks at your notes as I couldn’t make it this year. I wish recommendations for CBT were more specific as to what works. Not all therapy and therapists have the same effects, and I’d love for this non-pharmacologic tool to be more reliably available. Keep up the great work!
That would be fantastic!
About misinformation--I think another place where it circulates is in Facebook groups on various medical conditions. There are multiple groups for menopause, hysterectomies, fibroids, even specific groups for procedures like uterine artery embolization. These groups have tens of thousands of members and can be incredibly helpful--for instance, sharing practical tips for post-hysterectomy recovery that women aren't getting from their doctors. But interspersed with useful practical advice is lots of misinformation.
the other aspect about Facebook is that misinformation influencers can run highly targeted ads and if they use the right demographics + keywords, get those ads, that look like content posts from experts, in front of a very specific audience. They can then get them to join their own groups where they are free to upsell overpriced services and untested products all in the name of helping women.
Someone please do something about Menopause Chicks! A closed FB group run by Shirley Weir with zero medicine or science cred who resells a vaginal moisturizer developed by a company in Burnaby that she claims she developed. One scam after another.
Good point. I totally agree.
I like this format. Thanks Jen :) The information is super helpful.
I was at the meeting as well - wish I had seen you! It was my first time attending, and I was (and am) blown away by the caliber of the presentations and how kind all of the highly accomplished women there are! Loved this recap and Dr. Maki’s talk :)
PS - I also have pages and pages of notes. So much great content and lots to think about!
Thank you for this information! I was unable to attend this year. As a Women’s health NP and NAMS menopause provider, I’m seeing a lot of menopausal patients in my practice. The misinformation is so exhausting. The menoverse grifting is accelerating! Just today, I had a patient who got angry I would not prescribe the non-hormonal “medication” that cures brain fog (not even sure what that is???) Many “menopause expert” accounts are outwardly hostile towards medical professionals who are “withholding” the truth and magic remedies from patients. This is so offensive. I care deeply about my patients and their experiences. It is not in the patient’s best interest to tell them what I WISH therapeutic interventions would do rather than what we know they do. The lack of data and robust studies on women is a fundamental problem, but the solution isn’t guesswork.
I couldn't agree more!! It is truly maddening to dispel the misinformation--I see so many women who come in after seeing a "functional medicine provider"--wanting to know why I won't "balance their hormones." I have seen reports from companies who have their own labs and lab parameters (which often don't align with what is considered "normal"). They bring in copies of reports (and all of their lab results) and the "recommendations" that were made, which are often for supplements or compounded hormones that cost hundreds of dollars. They don't understand WHY I won't check hormone levels to figure out what I should give them. I am so thankful for these type of forums and for The Menopause Society (I give out Menonotes every single day!)
Thank you so much for the summary. Interesting information about CBT. Unfortunately it’s not as easy as taking a pill, therefore may not be as attractive an option for some. Abhorrent how some in the influencer space would rather sell supplements than provide evidence based treatment.
I had to work this past weekend and couldn’t go to NAMS. I appreciate this post SOOOO much!! Looking forward to the separate post on dementia
Excellent summary, Dr. Jen — you rock, as always! I especially appreciate the recommendations on female pattern hair loss. I've been tempted to invest (probably too much) into one of those low-level light therapy devices, but I think I will start with the oral minoxidil and 100 mg Spironolactone if my PCP doesn't see any conflicts for me.
bummer, I just checked the side effects of oral minoxidil and the side effects might be a deal breaker for me. Waaaaa
Interesting information. Some women could have an endocrine issue as well, hair loss both hypo and hyperthyroidism. Moods, weight, muscle pain and skin issues are a result of thyroid issues as well. The Menopause society does have a page set up that mentions this. I happened to read the posted 2024 information and noted that hypnosis and CBT were listed. The information did state that there is "mixed findings with minimal impact on hot flash reduction". The issue may be for many women the cost of such therapy. Where I live it is not covered by provincial health care and many can not afford this type of help.
Very helpful, especially since the NAMS meeting sold out so quickly! Thank you Dr. Gunter.
Thank you. As a GP I appreciate the science and your summary of these meetings.
Thank you as always! So helpful!
thank you thank you thank you. :)
Thank you!