Medication, Women's Health

Beyond Estrogen: Exploring Innovative Therapy for GSM in Menopausal Women

This is a CFPC-accredited expert brief for Canadian primary care providers and other healthcare professionals. The discussion focuses on the practical management of vulvovaginal symptoms associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). This expert brief aims to equip healthcare providers to recognize GSM early and provide personalized treatment strategies, with a focus on two newly Health Canada-approved targeted prescription therapies: prasterone and ospemifene. This expert brief video features a detailed discussion with family physician Shafeena Premji and menopause specialist Michelle Jacobson.

DURATION

30 min

PROFESSION

Physician

# OF CREDITS

0.5

ACCREDITATION

Mainpro+

EXPIRY DATE

2025-11-05

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) encompasses a range of symptoms resulting from sex steroid deficiency, affecting the vagina, vulva, and lower urinary tract (ie. bladder and urethra). Vulvovaginal symptoms of GSM are characterized by thinning of the vulvar and vaginal tissues, resulting in dryness, irritation, bleeding, itch, and pain. Despite its prevalence, GSM remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in primary care settings. Recent advancements have introduced new ways of treating hormone deficiency using therapies that incorporate both estrogen and androgen, and oral therapies. This expert brief explores the evolution of targeted prescription treatment options, with a special focus on the two newly Health Canada-approved effective therapies for GSM: prasterone, an inactive precursor of sex steroids that enters the vaginal cells and is converted intracellularly into estrogens and androgens, and ospemifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Through patient case discussions, this expert brief aims to provide healthcare providers with practical guidance on selecting appropriate candidates for these newer targeted prescription GSM therapies, educating patients on treatment benefits and risks, and integrating these therapies into primary care.

Faculty

Michelle Jacobson, MD, FRCSC

Shafeena Premji, MHA, MD, CCFP, FCFP, MSCP

Naomi Pliamm, MD, CCFP

Phuongbich Nguyen, MD, MCFP

Learning objectives

After viewing this expert brief, participants will be better able to:
  • Identify signs and symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) 
  • Describe newly Health Canada-approved targeted prescription treatments for GSM 
  • Treat root causes of GSM 
  • Implement best practices for management of GSM in primary care

Accreditation

This self-learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 0.5 Mainpro+ credits.

Cert+ Program ID#: 203498


Cost of course:  
Free
# of credits: 0.5
Duration: 30 min

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Beyond Estrogen: Exploring Innovative Therapy for GSM in Menopausal Women

30 min

Duration

Physician

Profession

0.5

# of credits

Learning Objectives

After viewing this expert brief, participants will be better able to:

  • Identify signs and symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) 
  • Describe newly Health Canada-approved targeted prescription treatments for GSM 
  • Treat root causes of GSM 
  • Implement best practices for management of GSM in primary care

Mainpro+

ACCREDITATION

Medication, Women's Health

Learning Category

Medication, Menopause, Women's Health

Topic

0

Price

2025-11-05

Expiry Date

CAN-eng

Region/Language

Course Description

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) encompasses a range of symptoms resulting from sex steroid deficiency, affecting the vagina, vulva, and lower urinary tract (ie. bladder and urethra). Vulvovaginal symptoms of GSM are characterized by thinning of the vulvar and vaginal tissues, resulting in dryness, irritation, bleeding, itch, and pain. Despite its prevalence, GSM remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in primary care settings. Recent advancements have introduced new ways of treating hormone deficiency using therapies that incorporate both estrogen and androgen, and oral therapies. This expert brief explores the evolution of targeted prescription treatment options, with a special focus on the two newly Health Canada-approved effective therapies for GSM: prasterone, an inactive precursor of sex steroids that enters the vaginal cells and is converted intracellularly into estrogens and androgens, and ospemifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Through patient case discussions, this expert brief aims to provide healthcare providers with practical guidance on selecting appropriate candidates for these newer targeted prescription GSM therapies, educating patients on treatment benefits and risks, and integrating these therapies into primary care.

Faculty

Michelle Jacobson, MD, FRCSC

Shafeena Premji, MHA, MD, CCFP, FCFP, MSCP

Naomi Pliamm, MD, CCFP

Phuongbich Nguyen, MD, MCFP

Accreditation

This self-learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 0.5 Mainpro+ credits.

Cert+ Program ID#: 203498