ISSWSH Advanced Hormone Course: Maintaining Sexual Health on the Hormone Highway and Addressing Factors That May Cause Derailments

Overall Objectives:

1. To define the physiology of sex steroid hormones in female sexual function including estradiol, estrone, estriol, progesterone, testosterone.
2. To define the changes in hormone physiology, address impact on sexual function, and develop evidence-based treatments to help manage dysfunction in the following life phases:
   1. Puberty
   2. Gender affirmation journey
   3. Pregnancy
   4. Perimenopause
   5. Menopause
   6. Testosterone
   7. Cancer
3. To develop a framework for addressing sexual health concerns in complex patient cases with intersectional identities.

On Demand Modules / Live “Ask the Expert” For Registered Attendees

MENARCHE & BEYOND (Menses, PMS, PMDD, Contraception) | Live Event: Friday, April 25, 2025 - 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT

Moderator: Sarah Cigna, MD, MS, IF
Speakers: Jill Kraft, MD, MEd, IF; Tami S. Rowen, MD, MS, FACOG, IF; John Vogel, DO, IF

Learning Objectives:

1. Hormones 201 - review the sex steroids: Estrone, Estriol, Estradiol, Testosterone, DHEA, DHT, Progesterone.
2. Basics of hormone physiology at time of menarche/pubertal transition.
3. PMS & PMDD.
4. Contraception - benefits and risks, considerations about various hormone types in regards to side effects and how to troubleshoot them.

• • • View video on demand (Available in Syllabus for registered attendees).
    • There will be a Live Interactive “Ask the Experts” Session - Friday, April 25, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT

GENDER AFFIRMATION JOURNEY | Live Event: Friday, May 30, 2025 - 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT

Impact of gender affirming hormone therapy on sexual functioning and how to treat sexual dysfunction in trans and nonbinary people.

Moderator: Juliana (Jewel) Kling, MD, MPH, MSCP, FACP, IF
Speakers: Joey Bahng, MD; Aleece Fosnight, SPAS, PA-C, CSCS, CSE, NCMP; Asa Radix, MD, PhD, MPH

Learning Objectives:

1. Effects of gender affirming therapies and surgeries on hormones.
2. Organize by age at time of therapy starting (preventing puberty, young adulthood, midlife).
3. Highlight that hormones are not gendered!
4. Sexual Dysfunction in trans and nonbinary people - what does the existing data say.
5. How to address desire, arousal, orgasm, pain concerns in this population.

• • • View video on demand (Available in Syllabus for registered attendees).
    • There will be a Live Interactive “Ask the Experts” Session - Friday, May 30, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT

PREGNANCY, POSTPARTUM & LACTATION | Live Event: Friday, September 26, 2025 - 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT

Explore the impacts of fluctuating hormones during these times on sexual functioning and how to address concerns.

Moderator: Anita Mikkilineni, MD
Speakers: Johannes Bitzer, MD; Sarah Cigna, MD, MS, IF; Rossella Nappi, MD, PhD

Learning Objectives:

1. Pregnancy
   1. Physiologic changes in hormones and effects on sexual health.
   2. How to support pregnant people’s sexual health and treat dysfunction.
2. Postpartum
   1. Physiologic changes postpartum affecting sexual health and mood.
   2. How to treat sexual dysfunction.
3. Lactation
   1. Physiologic changes in regards to lactation and effects on sexual health.
   2. How to treat sexual dysfunction.

• • • View video on demand (Available in Syllabus for registered attendees).
    • There will be a Live Interactive “Ask the Experts” Session - Friday, September 26, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT

PERIMENOPAUSE/MIDLIFE | Live Event: Friday, October 24, 2025 - 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT

Physiology of estrogens and progesterones in perimenopause, effects on sexual function, and prescribing, highlighting ways to optimize sexual health and address concerns.

Moderator: Heather Quaile, DNP, WHNP-BC, CSC, IF, FAANP
Speakers: Alessandra Graziottin, MD; Rachel Rubin, MD, IF

Learning Objectives:

1. Symptoms and goals of treatment (local vs vasomotor symptoms and effects on overall health).
2. Vaginal/local therapies.
3. Systemic Estrogen and Progesterone therapies.

• • • View video on demand (Available in Syllabus for registered attendees).
    • There will be a Live Interactive “Ask the Experts” Session - Friday, October 24, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT

MENOPAUSE - What Is Happening In Regards To Sexual Function And How To Manage With E And P | Live Event: Friday, January 23, 2026 - 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EST

Physiology of estrogens and progesterones in postmenopause, effects on sexual function, and prescribing, highlighting ways to optimize sexual health and address concerns.

Moderator: Sameena Rahman, MD, FACOG, NCMP, IF
Speakers: Juliana (Jewel) Kling, MD, MPH, MSCP, FACP, IF; James Simon, MD, Holly Thomas, MD, MS

Learning Objectives:

1. Symptoms and goals of treatment (local vs vasomotor symptoms and effects on overall health).
2. Vaginal/local therapies.
3. Systemic Estrogen and Progesterone therapies.

• • • View video on demand (Available in Syllabus for registered attendees).
    • There will be a Live Interactive “Ask the Experts” Session - Friday, January 23, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST

TESTOSTERONE | Live Event: Friday, February 27, 2026 - Time to be Announced

What does the data actually say and how can it be used to treat sexual dysfunction?

Moderator: Sharon Parish, MD
Speakers: Susan Davis, AO, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, FAHMS; Mohit Khera, MD, MBA, MPH; Elisa Maseroli, MD

Learning Objectives:

1. The role of testosterone in human physiology.
2. Vaginal/local therapies with emphasis on practical elements of application to vulvovaginal concerns.
3. Systemic Testosterone guidelines with emphasis on practical elements of application to various patient concerns.

• • • View video on demand (Available in Syllabus for registered attendees)
    • There will be a Live Interactive “Ask the Experts” Session - Friday, February 27, 2026 - Time to be Announced

BREAST & GU/GYN SPECIFIC CANCERS | Live Event: Friday, March 13, 2026 - 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. EDT

Impact of cancer and treatments on hormones and how to manage this safely for sexual health concerns.

Moderator: Corinne Menn, MD
Speakers: Laila Agrawal, MD; Carol Kuhle, DO, MPH; Holly Pederson, MD

Learning Objectives: (to follow)

• • • View video on demand (Available in Syllabus for registered attendees).
    • There will be a Live Interactive “Ask the Experts” Session - Friday, March 13, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT