Past Congress Meetings - ��ݮ��Ƶ

19th World Congress on Menopause

2024-10-17T00:00:00+11:00

19th World Congress on Menopause will be held in Melbourne on 19-22 October 2024.

imsmelbourne2024.com

Due to the overwhelming success of IMS2024, registrations have now reached full capacity and are officially closed.

We look forward to welcoming all registered attendees to an exciting event!

Missed Out? Join IMS2024 On Demand!

For those who couldn’t secure an on-site spot, we’ve got great news: IMS2024 On Demand. This gives you the chance to experience all sessions from the congress at your own pace.

How It Works:

Purchase Credits: Buy the credits needed to access the On Demand content.
Select Your Sessions: Choose from the available sessions based on your interests.
Watch the Videos: Credits will be deducted as you access each session.

Lectures will be available for 12 months from November 11th, 2024, allowing you ample time to explore all the content.

Not Sure How Many Credits to Purchase?

Check the program to estimate how many credits you might need. Don’t worry - you can always add more credits at any time!

Learn more and see the FAQs at https://imsmelbourne2024.com/ondemand/

Pre-congress course: Menopause Essentials Update - Friday October 18th 2024 13:30–18:00

AMS announces its popular MENOPAUSE ESSENTIALS UPDATE on October 18^th at 1.30-6pm.

You are eligible for CPD points by attending of 3 hours EA and 1 hour RP.

It gives you menopause management at your fingertips. $150 - join here.

Where and When

The pre-congress courses will be held at the Room 203 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 18 October 2024 from 13:30 to 17:30.

Note: This course will not be available online. In person attendance is required.

Registration

The pre-congress course is not included with the congress registration fee. In order to participate you are required to purchase it separately. The course costs $150.

Limited spots are available.

Course Overview

Menopausal symptoms can impact women's lives dramatically. Participating in the 19th IMS World Pre-Congress Menopause Essentials Update offers healthcare providers an invaluable opportunity to stay updated with the latest advancements and best practices in menopause care. This event equips participants with practical knowledge and strategies that can be directly applied in clinical settings. This can support them to deliver comprehensive care and empower patients to manage their symptoms during this transition.

Learning Outcomes

Describe how to diagnose and manage menopause within a structured consultation in primary healthcare setting.
Identify the benefits and risks of menopausal hormone therapy.
Describe the different non-hormonal treatment options for the symptoms of menopause.
Describe how to tailor treatment for complex cases to ensure patient safety.

CPD Points

RACGP CPD

ACRRM CPD

The Pre-Congress Menopause Essentials Update is an accredited ACRRM CPD activity 34502. It has been approved for:

3 hours Educational Activity (EA)
1 hour Outcome Measurement (OM)

If you require an ACCRM certificate of attendance, you must include your seven-digit ACRRM number and surname in your IMS profile. Badge scanning at least once per day is also required for all CPD accreditation.

RANZCOG CPD

The Pre-Congress Menopause Essentials Update has been approved has been approved for the following RANZCOG CPD, Domains & hours: Educational Activity Hours: 3.00, Outcome Measurement Hours: 1.00

Please note, if the activity meets more than one domain these will need to be logged separately in the CPD portal.

Meets program level requirement/s: Professionalism.

Speakers

Dr Jane Elliott

Menopause consultation: a structured approach

An introduction to the basic physiology of menopause, definitions of menopause and how to diagnose menopause. I will discuss why it is usually unhelpful to use hormone blood tests to diagnose menopause in the normal age range of 45 to 55 years. It will provide a practical structure of how to conduct an initial menopause consultation and the factors to be taken into account in the history. As well as symptoms of menopause I will discuss the ongoing health consequences of menopause that need to be considered in a menopause consultation. The talk will be clinically practical for all family medicine specialists and non-family medicine specialists.

Prof Susan Davis AO

Prescribing MHT: practical and evidence-based approach to treatment

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) describes the systemic administration of sex steroids to women with ovarian insufficiency following natural or surgical menopause, and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Similar regimens are also used for women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea and ovarian insufficiency secondary to hypopituitism. MHT is not transgender therapy, although the formulations used may be the same. MHT refers to oestrogen with or without a progestogen, but now also includes oestrogen with bazedoxifene (a selective oestrogen receptor modulator [SERM]) and tibolone (a steroid that exerts oestrogenic, progestogenic and androgenic effects). As testosterone therapy is not a first line therapy postmenopausal therapy it is not generally included in MHT but rather as androgen therapy. The term “progestogen” includes all therapies with progestational uterine effects and is an umbrella term for progesterone and the synthetic progestogens which are referred to as progestins. The primary indications for oestrogen therapy are symptoms relief and prevention of bone loss and fragility fracture. Oestrogen should be co-prescribed with a progestogen unless the patient has had a hysterectomy. Inclusion of a progestogen should be considered if women have had recent severe endometriosis or a subtotal hysterectomy. MHT is available in multiple formulations and doses, allowing for treatment individualisation. Patients should be advised that dose adjustment and/or trialling of different formulations is often needed to optimise the benefits without side effects. While there is substantial emphasis on “body identical” hormone therapy and nonoral oestrogen, synthetic progestogens and oral oestrogens still have an important role and provide many women with the best therapeutic effects. Understanding what options might be best used in different settings and the pros and cons of different formulations will achieve the best patient outcomes.

Afternoon Tea

Dr Premitha Damodaran

Non-hormonal options for managing troublesome symptoms of menopause

Women deserve the freedom to choose how they manage their perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms. For those who cannot or prefer not to use menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT), nonhormonal options are available. This includes women with contraindications to MHT, such as those with estrogen-related cancers, a history of venous thromboembolism, strokes, coronary heart disease, thrombophilia, or those who are intolerant or simply opt out of MHT. Lifestyle modifications are foundational in managing menopause. Obesity, for instance, can exacerbate vasomotor symptoms, while a healthy diet and regular exercise help reduce inflammatory visceral fat, benefiting heart health, bone strength, and overall mobility. Reducing alcohol, smoking, vaping, spicy foods, and caffeine can also improve overall well-being. Equally important, good sleep hygiene is crucial for reducing fatigue, brain fog, and aiding in weight management. A new addition to nonhormonal therapy is Fezolinetant, an NK3 receptor antagonist that effectively treats vasomotor symptoms by modulating neuronal activity in the brain's thermoregulatory zone. Herbal products such as black cohosh, soy-based and plant estrogens, and evening primrose oil have not shown significant benefits for vasomotor symptoms, sleep, or other menopausal challenges. Instead, evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy, supported by Level 1 evidence, have shown meaningful improvements in vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Other nonhormonal treatments include clonidine, gabapentin, pregabalin, SSRIs, and oxybutynin, though each comes with its own side effects. For managing genitourinary syndrome of menopause, nonhormonal options include vaginal lubricants, moisturizers, and local anaesthetic creams. Additionally, low-dose vaginal estrogen creams and tablets can be used to maintain vaginal health.

Dr Sonia Davison

Case studies: a discussion of complex cases and referral pathways in primary care

MHT in the setting of co-morbidities In general, hormone therapy (MHT) is first line pharmacological management for women with significant menopausal symptoms. While there are relatively few contraindications to MHT when compared with synthetic hormones, in the setting of certain co -morbidities, the majority of professional organisations and guidelines discourage the use of MHT in favour of non hormonal management. This presentation is case based and will discuss evidence for use or avoidance of MHT when a woman presenting with significant symptoms attributable to menopause has a pre existing history of VTE, endometriosis, menstrual migraine with or without aura, breast cancer, or a BRCA mutation.

Panel Discussion

Content updated October 2024

AMS Congress 2023

2023-03-27T00:00:00+11:00

The AMS is pleased to advise that the 26th AMS Congress will be held at The Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand from 1-3 September 2023.

The theme of the Congress is “Remarkable reflections on midlife and menopause”.

Dr Ashley Makepeace is Chair of the Scientific Committee and will be sure to put together an up-to-date and stimulating scientific program.

Dr Sylvia Rosevear is Chair of the Local Organising Committee and is looking forward to welcoming delegates to Queenstown to experience the beauty and adventure of this amazing destination.

As of 19 June 2023 we have had an overwhelming response to onsite registrations, especially from New Zealand attendees, which means we have reached capacity at the venue and have had to close off onsite registrations.

However, you can still register to attend the Congress as an Online attendee! Online attendance will still allow you to participate in all sessions and accrue your CPD points.

So please add the dates 1-3 September 2023 in your diaries and keep up to date about the Congress at www.amscongress.com.au

Call for Abstracts - now closed

AMS Awards and Prizes

AMS Award

The ��ݮ��Ƶ Award recognises a distinguished person in the field of menopause and women’s midlife health, who has given much of their life making a significant contribution to this field.

The Award is determined every two years by the AMS Board of Directors and the presentation includes a certificate, an honorarium of AUD$1,000 and a memento acknowledging the occasion.

AMS Scientific Publication Prize - now closed

AMS Congress Awards

The Barbara Gross Award is presented to the best overall free communication or poster by a current AMS member. All free communications and posters presented at the Congress by a current AMS member will be entered for this award. The winner will receive a certificate of honour and AUD$1,000.

The Jean Hailes Memorial Prize is presented to the best free communication or poster presentation by a current AMS member who is still within 10 years of having completed their tertiary degree. The presenter is to indicate their eligibility for this prize when submitting their abstract. The winner will receive a certificate of honour and AUD$500.

The Vivien Wallace Poster Prize is to encourage AMS members working in any area of midlife women’s health to submit a poster. The winner of the best poster will receive a certificate of honour and AUD$500.

Judges for the Congress Awards are appointed by the Chair of the AMS Education Subcommittee and there are two judges per room, with a prescribed scoring system. Judges reserve the right to not award a prize a minimum score is not met.

AMS Scholarships - now closed

AMS Travel Grants - now closed

Content updated 25 August 2023

AMS Congress 2022

2022-03-03T00:00:00+11:00

The AMS is pleased to announce the 25th Annual ��ݮ��Ƶ Congress will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre from 9-11 September 2022.

See the congress website at www.amscongress.com.au where you can subscribe to the AMS Congress mailing list.

The 2022 AMS Congress will be delivered as a hybrid event with both onsite and online attendance options. Whether you are participating as an onsite or an online delegate, the 2022 congress will offer you a stimulating scientific program designed to inform while encouraging time for reflection.

Our national and international speakers will explore the latest research across a range of topics, including women and heart disease, menopause in the workplace, genitourinary health, sensorineural issues, libido and arousal, and the ever-popular Sonia’s Snippets. Our clinically focused and always popular Pre-Congress Menopause Essentials Update will also be run again.

The Pre-Congress Program will run from 8.30am-12.00pm on Friday 9 September and the Congress will begin at 1.00pm on Friday 9 September and run through to 1pm Sunday 11 September.

We hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us in Cairns, Australia, but we are providing an online option to facilitate the participation of our colleagues who are unable to travel. All presentations, including those in the Update, will be streamed to online delegates, with presentations available to view by all attendees in the portal for 3 months following the Congress. Onsite and online delegates will be able to connect with each other via the Meeting Hub in the portal.

All sponsors and exhibitors will also have an online branding/resource presence to promote their products and services to online delegates.

So join us, renew old acquaintances and make new connections in Cairns or online in September 2022!

Content updated 29 September 2022

AMS Congress 2021

2021-12-08T12:57:48+11:00

Midlife and Menopause: Perception in the Pandemic

AMS Congress 26-28 November 2021

Join us in Adelaide as we share our experiences and knowledge gained as we have all adapted in our approaches to Midlife and Menopause issues across the pandemic.

This year’s conference offers you a stimulating scientific program designed to inform while encouraging time for reflection and renewal. The conference venue is adjacent to a vibrant market and restaurant precinct, with the coast a brief tram ride away.

Our national and international speakers will explore the latest research across a range of topics including ageing and its resistance, and gender differences affecting metabolic, immune and cardiac function. We will look at breast cancer and sleep. Telehealth, conflict resolution and time management are topics relevant for all of us.

Our clinically focused and always popular Pre-Congress Menopause Essentials Update will again cover all aspects of menopause management.

So join us, renew old acquaintances and make new connections in Adelaide in November 2021.

Dr Meredith Frearson

Chair, Local Organising Committee

www.amscongress.com.au

Speakers

AMS Congress 2019

2018-09-11T00:10:00+10:00

In 2019, our Congress will be at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart. Hobart has a cool climate but it is a hot destination, and our Congress will explore the hot issues in menopause.

We will have national and international speakers presenting up to the minute information on new medications, new drug delivery methods, new treatment methods, and new classifications, in menopausal symptoms, vulvovaginal symptoms, fibroids, breast cancer, and osteoporosis. Discuss and debate what’s new and what’s important in menopause.

We will also be running our popular Pre-Congress Menopause Essentials Update. This provides a clinically focussed update in all aspects of menopause management.

Meet colleagues from Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

The AMS Congress website is available at www.amscongress.com.au

Registration is now open! Early-bird registration extended to 19th July 2019.

Take advantage of the early-bird registration rates at www.amscongress.com.au/registration.

Karen Magraith

Chair, Local Organising Committee.

Speakers

Professor Pauline Maki

Dr. Pauline M. Maki is Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Obstetrics & Gynecology and serves as Senior Director of Research at the Center for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Maki received her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the National Institute on Aging. For the past 20 years, she has led a program of NIH-funded research on women, cognition, mood and dementia, with a particular focus on the menopause. She uses multiple methods including clinical trials of hormonal and non-hormonal treatments for vasomotor symptoms, cohort studies of the natural history of cognition and brain function across the menopausal transition, and neuroimaging studies.

Dr. Maki is Past President of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), Current Trustee of the International Menopause Society, Chair of the Society for Women’s Health Research Interdisciplinary Network on Alzheimer’s Disease, and Immediate Past Head of the Neurocognitive Working Group of the Women’s Interagency HIV Study. She won the 2018 Woman in Science Award from the American Medical Women’s Association and the Thomas B. Clarkson Outstanding Clinical and Basic Science Research Award from the NAMS. She has won a number of NIH awards for her research and service, serves as a research and career mentor to many students and junior faculty, serves on executive committees for several women’s health advisory boards, and is a frequent international and national speaker.

Professor Beverley Vollenhoven

Professor Vollenhoven is a Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility specialist. She is Head of Gynaecology at Monash Health, Deputy Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Monash University and a clinician at Monash IVF.

She has a sub-specialty qualification in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI) with her areas of clinical interest being infertility including IVF and ovulation induction, polycystic ovarian syndrome, eating disorders, paediatric and adolescent gynaecology and menopause. She also has a clinical and research interest in the cause and treatment of uterine fibroids (leiomyomas).

Beverley Vollenhoven has more than 140 publications in both journals and books. She is the Head of the Contraceptive Counselling Clinic and has an appointment as a Reproductive Endocrinologist at the Menopause Clinic and Long Term Follow Up of Children with Cancer Clinic at the Monash Health.

She is a member of committees for the Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Safer Care Victoria and the Therapeutic Goods Administration

Professor Martha Hickey

Martha Hickey is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of the Gynaecology Research Centre at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia. She is also an NHMRC Practitioner Fellow. In her clinical practice she runs the largest public menopause service in Australia and in 2002 established the first multidisciplinary service for managing menopausal symptoms after cancer (MSAC). This service has now been replicated across Australia. She is a Senior Editor for the Cochrane Collaboration Gynaecology and Infertility Group and leads the international COMMA (Core Outcomes in Menopause) initiative.

Dr Erin Nesbitt-Hawes

Dr Erin Nesbitt-Hawes is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with a special interest in laparoscopic surgery and endometriosis. She has completed an Australian Gynaecological Endoscopy Society (AGES) accredited laparoscopic surgery at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick. She is currently a director of Alana Healthcare for Women and staff specialist at the Royal Hospital for Women. Erin has a strong interest in clinical research and completed her PhD at UNSW in the application of three and four-dimensional ultrasound of the pelvic floor for women with pelvic pain. She is a conjoint lecturer at UNSW and enjoys teaching and training medical students and junior doctors. Erin has many publications in the field of gynaecology and has presented at both national and international conferences. Recently her work was awarded the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Clinical Fellow’s Research Scholarship.

Professor Gary Wittert

Gary Wittert is a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg South Africa. After a year in rural general practice, he trained as an Endocrinologist in Christchurch, New Zealand. His postdoctoral training was at Harvard Medical School and Oregon Health Sciences University. He joined the University of Adelaide in 1994, received a Personal Chair in 2004 and is currently Head of the Discipline of Medicine, Director of the Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men’s Health Research, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Senior Principle Research Fellow at SAHMRI. He has published over 350 research papers and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Professor Rob Norman

Robert Norman holds a personal chair as Professor for Reproductive and Periconceptual Medicine at the University of Adelaide and is a subspecialist in reproductive medicine (CREI) and in endocrine biochemistry (FRCPA). He was Director of the Robinson Research Institute at the University of Adelaide from 2008 to 2013, a collection of 60 Research Leaders in reproductive health and regenerative medicine, with more than 450 members. He has been leader of two NHMRC Program Grants and has published over 450 peer-reviewed publications and one book. He has an h score of 99 (Google Scholar) with more than 43,600 citations. He serves on the editorial board of major reproductive journals.

His major research contributions have been in IVF and reproductive endocrinology, particularly in PCOS, the effect of lifestyle on reproductive outcomes and periconception medicine. He is the former Medical Director and an active reproductive medicine specialist at Fertility SA and was formerly CEO of Repromed Pty Ltd. He was President of the Asia Pacific Initiative for Reproduction Society (membership 2000+), Scientific Chair of ASPIRE (2014 and 2016) and Scientific Chair of the Fertility Society (2012 – present). He was awarded an Order of Australia (AO) in 2013. In 2015 he became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and in the same year was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Medicine by the University of Adelaide. He has been given the top awards of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE).

Dr Seana Gall

A/Prof Seana Gall is a senior research fellow in cardiovascular epidemiology at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania and Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University. She holds a BSc (Hons) in physiology from Monash University and graduated with a PhD in stroke epidemiology from the University of Melbourne in 2008. She conducts epidemiological studies to understand ways to prevent, manage and improve outcomes of cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke. She has published 83 journal articles and has attracted over $6 million in funding for her research including current funding as a National Heart Foundation of Australia Future Leader Fellow. She is an active member of the scientific community including as chair of the Tasmanian Government’s Tobacco Control Coalition, a board director for the Cancer Council Tasmania and chair of the Stroke Foundation’s Health Promotion advisory committee.

Dr Jocelyn Lippey

Jocelyn Lippey is a breast surgeon from Melbourne, Victoria. Having completed her general surgery fellowship through the Austin hosptial she underwent post fellowship training through Breast Surg ANZ at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in 2015 and Perth in 2016 working at Royal Perth and Fiona Stanley Hospitals.

She is a current recipient of an NBCF practitioners grant to develop a risk communication tool as part of a risk-stratified Breast screening trial as well as doing clinical work at St Vincent’s and The Northern hospital in Melbourne. She also co-ordinates a unit of study for University of Sydney’s Masters of Breast Surgery.

Her interests include research into breast cancer, risk communication, tailored breast screening and DCIS as well as oncoplastic and reconstructive surgery.

Associate Professor Kirsten Black

Associate Prof Kirsten Black is an academic gynaecologist at the University of Sydney where she is Joint Head of the Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Neonatology. She works clinically at the Royal Prince Alfred and Concord Hospitals in contraception, preconception care, general gynaecology and menopause. Her PhD is from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London and she is a member of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health in the UK. Her research interests are in sexual and reproductive health and she chairs RANZCOG’s special interest group in this field. Between 2016 and 2017 she chaired the working group that developed the Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Clinical Care Standard for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

Dr Sonia Davison

Dr Sonia Davison was appointed to the Board in February 2017.

Dr Davison is an Endocrinologist with a special interest in Women’s Health. She is a Clinical Fellow at Jean Hailes for Women’s Health and has an adjunct appointment at the Women’s Health Research Program, Monash University.

Sonia is in private practice in Victoria at Cabrini Medical Centre and at Jean Hailes for Women’s Health. Her PhD and postdoctoral research examined sex steroid physiology in women, including measurement of androgens and their relationships with age, mood, sexual function and cognition.

Sonia was also editor of AMS’s Changes magazine for nine years.

Professor Mark Forwood

Professor Forwood was appointed by invitation as the Foundation Chair of Anatomy at Griffith University in 2009, and Head, School of Medical Science in 2013. His research has contributed to understanding the biology of skeletal adaptation, stress fracture repair and bone tissue quality in osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and tissue banking. He was a NHMRC Fellow at Indiana University Medical Centre from 1991-1994 with David Burr and Charles Turner, following which he returned to UQ, where he continued research in skeletal biology and taught gross and musculoskeletal anatomy. Prof Forwood’s research has been continuously funded by NHMRC since 1996. He is a member of Council of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society and the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Musculoskeletal Research Societies. He is also an Editorial Board member of Bone (Elsevier) and a section editor for Current Osteoporosis Reports (Springer). In 2016, Prof Forwood was elected as a Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Professor Janette Vardy

Professor Janette Vardy is a medical oncologist working as a clinician researcher at the Concord Cancer Centre and the University of Sydney. Together with Dr Haryana Dhillon she established and co-leads the Survivorship Research Group (SuRG) at the University of Sydney.

Her main areas of research are Survivorship and Quality of life, with a particular interest in cognitive function and physical activity in cancer survivors.

In 2013 she established the Sydney Survivorship Centre at Concord Cancer Centre.

Dr Naomi Saunder

Naomi is a general gynaecologist working in private and public practice in Hobart.

Naomi trained at Mercy Hospital for Women in Melbourne before moving to Hobart. She has a special interest in pelvic floor disorders and has done advanced training at Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne in surgery for prolapse and urinary incontinence.

She also has an interest in pelvic pain.

Associate Professor Craig Hassed

Associate Professor Craig Hassed works at the Department of General Practice and is coordinator of mindfulness programs at Monash University. His teaching, research and clinical interests include mindfulness-based stress management, mind-body medicine, meditation, health promotion, integrative medicine and medical ethics. Craig is regularly invited to speak and run courses in Australia and overseas in health, educational, government and corporate contexts and has collaborated with a number of national and international universities helping them to integrate similar content. He was the founding president of Meditation Australia and is a regular media commentator. He writes regularly for medical journals and has published thirteen books. Craig also featured in the documentary, The Connection and wrote the companion e-book, “The Mindfulness Manual” and co-authored with Richard Chambers the free online Mindfulness course in collaboration with Monash University and FutureLearn. In 2019 Craig was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to Medicine.

Professor Ego Seeman

Ego Seeman has worked in the field of bone biology for 38 years studying the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of bone fragility. He emphasized the role of growth as a forerunner of bone frailty in old age, emphasized the role of cortical and trabecular microstructural deterioration as a cause of bone fragility, and signaled that fractures in both sexes is a public health problem. He has contributed to studies of many drugs used today. He has over 390 publications. He is past President of the ANZBMS, Editor of Progress in Osteoporosis, and Associate Editor of Osteoporosis International and Board Member of the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

Dr Jim Tsaltas

Dr Jim Tsaltas is head of gynaecological endoscopy and endometriosis surgery at Monash Health and Monash University.

He is also senior IVF Specialist and a clinical director at Melbourne IVF.

His main areas of research are endometriosis and complex reproductive surgery. Also the impact of endometriosis non infertility and IVF outcomes. He has published widely and presented at many International Australian meetings.

Associate Professor Andrew Grey

Andrew Grey is an endocrinologist and Associate Professor of medicine at the University of Auckland, whose research interests include metabolic bone disease, research integrity, and research translation

Dr Jon-Paul Khoo

Content updated May 2019

AMS Congress 2018

2017-10-19T00:10:00+11:00

In 2018 our Congress will be in the warmth and sun of the Sunshine State and and the warm friendship of AMS colleagues.

Life is all about choices and so is the management of menopause.

National and international speakers will discuss midlife choices – hormonal v non-hormonal, weight loss choices, bone preservation choices, and risk reduction choices.

Discuss difficult cases, and learn all the latest from the literature and the clinical trials.

Meet with friends and colleagues and exchange ideas.

Expand your knowledge on

- primary vs secondary prevention of chronic disease
- choices for risk reduction surgery
- hormonal vs non-hormonal management of menopause
- diet vs pharmacotherapy vs surgery for weight management
- gender choices

Program

To download an archive copy of the program see 2018_AMS_Congress_Program87.71 KB

Linda Spinks

Conference Chair

Content updated December 2018

AMS Congress 2017

2017-01-25T00:10:18+11:00

Come and help us celebrate the 21^st anniversary of the ��ݮ��Ƶ, in the vibrant heart of Sydney. Mark the dates: 13-15 October 2017.

The 2017 Congress at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is designed to cut through the myths, prejudices and misconceptions surrounding menopause in favour of a rigorous, evidence-based approach to its management.

From Helsinki, Tomi Mikkola will present new evidence about cardiovascular risks associated with hormone therapy, as well as some exciting data on pelvic floor disorders. The 21^st anniversary Congress will bring you right up to date, boosting your confidence in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders associated with menopause and ageing.

You know about the sparkling harbour, the world-class beaches, the iconic Opera House and the rich diversity of its restaurant and entertainment scene. Sydney offers as much stimulation for the visitor as the Congress will offer your medical mind.

Sheila O’Neill
Chair, Local Organising Committee

Registration

Registration for AMS 2017 is now open. For more information, please visit the conference website .

Program

The preliminary program is available online, to view.

Abstract

Abstract submissions are now open.

Pre-Congress Program - Menopause Essentials Update

Friday 13 October 2017
0830 - 1200

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

The AMS Board is pleased to continue this very popular Menopause Essentials Update series as part of the AMS Pre-Congress Meeting in Sydney.

The workshop is aimed at all GPs, specialists and allied health workers who are seeking a comprehensive update in the field of menopause.

Prof Rod Baber and Drs Jane Elliott, Sonia Davison and Anna Fenton will present on:

Menopause and how to approach it
How to prescribe MHT
Non-hormonal treatments for menopausal symptoms, and sexual dysfunction
Case studies

Members: $75
Non-members: $150

Content updated Ocober 2017

AMS Congress 2016

2015-12-15T19:06:41+11:00

Join us in November 2016 for our 20th AMS Congress.

In 2016 our Congress will be at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle, right in the heart of the art and cafe culture of the historic port city and close by to beaches, the Swan river and Rottnest Island.

Pick up the latest on bones – how to assess fracture risk, what to use, what to avoid, when to start, when to stop, skin conditions of ageing, plastic surgery, useful tools for your practice. Discuss difficult cases, and learn all the latest from the literature and the clinical trials. Meet with friends and colleagues and exchange ideas.

Bronwyn Stuckey
Conference Chair

Call for Abstracts open!

AMS invites the submission of papers on original work for consideration for the Congress Program here...

Content updated June 2016

AMS Congress 2015

2015-02-18T12:47:17+11:00

19th AMS Congress Prize Winners

Download PDF version: 19th AMS Congress Prize Winners243.72 KB

Winner of the Barbara Gross Award

Dr Carolyn Ee

Acupuncture for menopausal hot flushes: an individually randomised sham-controlled trial

Dr Carolyn Ee, Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne
Prof Charlie Xue, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University
Dr Patty Chondros, Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne
Prof Stephen P Myers, NatMed-Research Unit, Southern Cross University
Assoc Prof Simon D French, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University
Prof Helena Teede, Diabetes Unit, Monash Health
Assoc Prof Marie Pirotta, Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne

Background: Menopausal hot flushes affect up to 75% of women and pose a significant health and financial burden. Acupuncture is a safe treatment with conflicting evidence for efficacy as a hot flush treatment.

Aims: To assess the efficacy of acupuncture against sham acupuncture for menopausal hot flushes.

Methods: We included Australian women aged over 40 in the late menopausal transition or postmenopause with at least seven moderate hot flushes daily, meeting criteria for the Chinese Medicine diagnosis of Kidney Yin deficiency. Exclusion criteria included breast cancer and hormone replacement therapy. Women were randomised, stratified by acupuncturist, to ten treatments over eight weeks of standardised Chinese medicine needle acupuncture designed to treat Kidney Yin deficiency, or non-insertive sham acupuncture. Participants, outcome assessors and investigators were blinded to treatment allocation. Primary outcome was the seven day Hot Flush Diary score at end-of-treatment (EOT). Secondary outcomes included quality-oflife, anxiety, depression, credibility, and expectancy. Participants were assessed at four weeks, end-of-treatment, then three and six months post-treatment. Analysis was by intention to treat using mixed effects modelling.

Results: 327 women were randomised to real (n=163) or sham acupuncture (n=164). At EOT, 16% and 13% were lost to follow up. There was no evidence of a between-group difference in hot flush scores at end-oftreatment (mean difference 0·33; 95% CI -1·87 to 2·52; p=0·77) or for secondary outcomes, and no serious adverse events.

Conclusion: Chinese medicine acupuncture did not exert additional benefit over sham treatment for women with moderately-severe menopausal hot flushes.

Winner of the AMS Scientific Award

Dr Pragya Gartoulla

For her paper: “Moderate-severe vasomotor symptoms are associated with lowered psychological general well-being in women at midlife”

Pragya Gartoulla, Robin J. Bell, Roisin Worsley and Susan R. Davis.
Women’s Health Research Program Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine Monash University.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the association between moderate-severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and psychological general well-being in women at midlife, taking into account sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Methods: We recruited 2020 Australian women, aged 40-65 years, to a cross-sectional survey between October 2013 and March 2014. Well-being was assessed by the Psychological and General Well-being Questionnaire (PGWB), with a higher score indicating greater well-being, and VMS by the Menopause-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the direction and strength of associations.

Results: 72.83% (95% CI 70.60 to 75.07) of women were peri/postmenopausal and 11.38% (95% CI 9.67 to 13.09) reported moderatesevere VMS. Moderate-severe VMS had a strong negative association with the total PGWB score ( = -8.17, 95% CI -10.90 to -5.45). The sociodemographic factors associated with a lower PGWB score included being un-partnered ( = -2.80, 95% CI -4.74 to -0.86), obese ( = -5.46, 95% CI -7.24 to -3.68) and a smoker ( = -3.47, 95% CI -6.10 to -0.84). Older age ( = 0.29, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.42) and participation in paid and/or volunteer work ( = 2.72, 95% CI 0.61 to 4.82) were positively associated with the total PGWB score. For those with insecure housing, being a carer was associated with better well-being.

Conclusions: Moderate-severe VMS are significantly and independently negatively associated with psychological general well-being in women at midlife. This consequence of VMS needs to be considered in the decision making about the treatment of moderate-severe VMS.

Winner of the Jean Hailes Memorial Prize

Dr Lydia Brown

Self Compassion: A Resilience Factor during the Menopause Transition

Authors: Lydia Brown (a); Christina Bryant (a, c); Valerie Brown (a); Bei Bei (b, d); Fiona Judd(c, d)

a. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne
b. Centre for Women’s Mental Health, Royal Women’s Hospital
c. Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne
d. School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University

Abstract

There is a wide variation in women’s experience of menopause, whereby some women find that menopause impacts their well-being more than others. This two-part study aimed to investigate the roles of selfcompassion (studies 1 and 2) and beliefs about the menopause (study 2) in predicting daily life functioning, depressive symptoms and well-being in a community sample of 206 midlife women currently reporting menopausal hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS). In a path analytic model, Study 1found that self-compassion predicted low hot flush daily interference ratings ( = -.37), and also moderated the relationship between HFNS frequency and daily interference ( = -.21), such that women high on self-compassion were less impaired by hot flushes, and subsequently symptoms of depression. Study 2 extended these findings to demonstrate that selfcompassion, women’s beliefs about control over menopause and HFNS interference ratings predicted high hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing, whereas biological aspects of menopause including menopausal stage and HFNS frequency did not. Taken together, these studies demonstrate psychological aspects of the menopause including menopause beliefs and self-compassion help explain individual differences in well-being in the context of menopause. Clinical care that fosters a woman’s sense of control over symptoms, together with advice on self-compassion could be a useful strategy to promote functioning and well-being across the menopause transition.

AMS Congress

Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September, 2015
Hotel QT Canberra, Australia

Differing opinions have been published regarding the link between hormone levels and mood disorders.

At the 2015 19th AMS Congress in Canberra, the focus was on "Menopause – Mind over Matter" with topics ranging from how memory works and normal age-related cognitive decline, why women are more at risk of dementia and reducing the risk, HRT and its links with cognition, also androgens and cognitive function. Other topics will pick up on the latest in managing menopause and more including strategies to improve well-being.

The Congress in Canberra coincided with school holidays and the stunning Floriade the biggest celebration of spring in Australia each year.

Dr Linda Welberry
Congress Chair

Plenaries, Debates, Free Papers and Discussion on the following topics:

Cognitive function
Memory - how it works
How do we detect mild cognitive impairment?
Mental health changeas over the menopause transition
Dementia – why women are more at risk
Ovarian/gynaecological cancer
Genetic tests – who to screen Bone management after diagnosis of ovarian/gynae cancer
Urogenital problems
Menopause – the latest

Invited Speakers

An outstanding line-up of local and internationally recognised experts has been invited to speak at the AMS 2015 Congress. Confirmed speakers include:

Rod Baber
Deborah Bateson
Robin Bell
John Boyle
Sue Davis
Sonia Davison

Jane Elliot
Martha Hickey
Melita Kenealy
Judy Kirk
Michelle Mielke
Gita Mishra

Ann Olsson
Bronwyn Stuckey
Anne Unkenstein
Amanda Vincent
Sue Wigg
Alessandro Zagami

Congress Program

AMS_Congress_2015_Scientific_Program857.24 KB

2015 Congress and AMS Awards

Abstracts chosen for presentation will also be considered for 2015 Congress Awards which will be announced during the Congress function on Saturday 26 September.

AMS Congress Awards – Free Presentations

Free papers may also be entered for consideration for an AMS Congress Award. Check the following details and also note the call for the AMS Scientific Prize for 2015.

The Jean Hailes Memorial Prize is presented to the best free communication or poster presentation by a current AMS member who is still within 10 years of having completed their tertiary degree. Presenter to indicate eligibility for this prize when submitting abstract. The winner will receive a certificate of honour and AUD$500.
The Barbara Gross Award is presented for the best overall free communication or poster by any delegate. All free communications and posters presented at the Congress will be entered for this award. The winner will receive a certificate of honour and AUD$1,000.
The Vivien Wallace Poster Prize is given to encourage delegates working in any area of medicine to submit a poster for inclusion in the 2013 Congress program. This is an annual Award to the value of AUD$250.•
Judges for the Congress Awards are appointed by the Chair of the Scientific Program Committee and there are 2 judges per room, with a prescribed scoring system.

AMS Society Awards

The following AMS Society Awards will also be announced at the Canberra Congress.

The ��ݮ��Ƶ Award
This prestigious Award is given by the ��ݮ��Ƶ in recognition of a distinguished person in the field of menopause and women's midlife health, who has given much of their life to making a significant contribution to this field.
The Award is determined every two years by the AMS Board of Directors, and the presentation includes a certificate, an honorarium of AUD$1000 and a memento acknowledging the occasion.
The ��ݮ��Ƶ Scientific Award is given to the most meritorious contribution to the field of menopause by an Australian or New Zealand investigator. This is an annual award based on a published/accepted paper in the past 12 months accepted and in press by 30 June. The paper should be on a specific subject related to menopause. The winner will receive a certificate of honour and AUD$500.00

Judges for the AMS Scientific Award are appointed by the Chair of the AMS Education Committee.

Content updated 31 December 2015

AMS Congress 2014

2013-12-15T23:00:06+11:00

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, with gender differences observed in cardiovascular disease presentation, investigation and outcomes.

Abstracts from AMS Congress 20141.63 MB

Content updated 30 October 2014

Past Congress Meetings - ��ݮ��Ƶ

19th World Congress on Menopause

Pre-congress course: Menopause Essentials Update - Friday October 18th 2024 13:30–18:00

Where and When

Registration

Course Overview

Learning Outcomes

CPD Points

Speakers

Dr Jane Elliott

Prof Susan Davis AO

Dr Premitha Damodaran

Dr Sonia Davison

AMS Congress 2023

Call for Abstracts - now closed

AMS Awards and Prizes

AMS Award

AMS Scientific Publication Prize - now closed

AMS Congress Awards

AMS Scholarships - now closed

AMS Travel Grants - now closed

AMS Congress 2022

AMS Congress 2021

Midlife and Menopause: Perception in the Pandemic

Speakers

AMS Congress 2019

Registration is now open! Early-bird registration extended to 19th July 2019.

Speakers

Professor Pauline Maki

Professor Beverley Vollenhoven

Professor Martha Hickey

Dr Erin Nesbitt-Hawes

Professor Gary Wittert

Professor Rob Norman

Dr Seana Gall

Dr Jocelyn Lippey

Associate Professor Kirsten Black

Dr Sonia Davison

Professor Mark Forwood

Professor Janette Vardy

Dr Naomi Saunder

Associate Professor Craig Hassed

Professor Ego Seeman

Dr Jim Tsaltas

Associate Professor Andrew Grey

Dr Jon-Paul Khoo

AMS Congress 2018

Program

AMS Congress 2017

Registration

Program

Abstract

Pre-Congress Program - Menopause Essentials Update

AMS Congress 2016

Call for Abstracts open!

AMS Congress 2015

19th AMS Congress Prize Winners

Winner of the Barbara Gross Award

Dr Carolyn Ee

Winner of the AMS Scientific Award

Dr Pragya Gartoulla

Winner of the Jean Hailes Memorial Prize

Dr Lydia Brown

AMS Congress

Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September, 2015Hotel QT Canberra, Australia

Plenaries, Debates, Free Papers and Discussion on the following topics:

Invited Speakers

Congress Program

2015 Congress and AMS Awards

AMS Congress Awards – Free Presentations

AMS Society Awards

AMS Congress 2014

Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September, 2015
Hotel QT Canberra, Australia