Objectives

Objectives

Knowledge:

Learn about menopausal symptoms that women regard as most debilitating and for which they most frequently seek medical intervention.
Know about a range of integrative therapies (e.g., lifestyle changes, bioidentical hormones, phytoestrogens, herbs/supplements, body-based therapies) that can be used to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.
Have a basic understanding of the scientific evidence supporting use of integrative therapies in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
Understand that lifestyle changes have by far the best evidence of efficacy for treating menopausal symptoms.
Know what information to communicate to patients regarding the physiological basis for menopause in order to significantly decrease the discomfort they associate with menopausal symptoms.
Know what information to communicate to patients regarding alternative medical systems shown helpful in treating menopausal symptoms.
Understand the basic history underlying use (and disuse) of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- Know about current trends in use of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

Skills:

Identify the most debilitating menopausal symptoms and the most frequently cited reasons for seeking medical intervention.
Access evidence-based information regarding the use of integrative therapies in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
Apply knowledge of integrative treatments for depression to a clinical scenario.

Attitudes: