This past month in Philadelphia at The Menopause Society’s 2023 Annual Meeting we were greeted and introduced to the new name and logo of the society. The rebranding and name change to The Menopause Society, previously known as The North American Menopause Society, now has a tagline, ‘Leading the Conversation’ and speaks to the fact that this society is the trusted source for midlife women’s health. The new logo is made up of 3 forward facing bars creating a monogram ‘M’ and each bar represents the three stages of menopause (premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause) followed by a period which signifies that the Menopause Society is the definitive resource on menopause. The M symbol is also forward leaning conveying optimism and the deep blue and violet colors denote wisdom and trustworthiness. Through this change, The Menopause Society continues to empower healthcare professionals from many disciplines that work across the menopause journey with certifications, patient resources, and professional development to improve women’s health. We also learned that membership in The Menopause Society is the highest it has ever been since it was founded and continues to be multidisciplinary. Those who have earned The Menopause Society’s certified practitioner credential and are now MSCPs (formerly NCMPs) have also grown substantially this year. The Society is also planning to launch its new website in the first quarter 2024.
One hot topic at the meeting was the 2023 non hormone position statement for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms which I chaired along with a panel of esteemed colleagues. The statement recognizes that menopause hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and should be considered in women under 60 years and within 10 years of their final menstrual period for vasomotor symptom without contraindication. However, for women with contraindication such as history of stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism or estrogen sensitive cancer or who personally chose not to use that there are non hormonal options.
This statement was an update from the 2015 guidelines and an evidenced-based review of the literature by sections which included lifestyle options, mind-body techniques, prescription therapies, supplements, and cannabinoids, as well as acupuncture and other treatments. The position statement supported the use of weight loss, cognitive behavioral therapy, clinical hypnosis, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors /serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, gabapentin, oxybutynin, fezolinetant, as well as stellate ganglion block for a select group of patients with an experienced anesthesia team. Fezolinetant is the first-in-class neurokinin B antagonist that is FDA approved for management of vasomotor symptoms. Its development and other ongoing developments came from the understanding of the vasomotor physiology with the kisspeptin, neurokinin B and dynorphin (KNDy) neuronal plexus which has direct effects on the adjacent hypothalamic thermoregulatory center. There was negative or insufficient data to support many reviewed options which can be found in the statement. Given the lack of rigorous, evidence-based scientific research supporting the use of any over-the-counter supplements and herbal therapies for the management of vasomotor symptoms, these remedies were not recommended. Neither was the use of cannabinoids.
Dr. Shufelt has no conflicts of interest to report.
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