April 20, 2001
Menopause — a life passage that affects every woman — often raises questions and concerns. Are the changes in a woman's body physical or emotional? Are the conflicting emotions many women feel a result of social stereotypes? Are the symptoms women experience treatable?
At the spring Women's Health Symposium, sponsored by the MGH Women's Health Committee and the MGH Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, more than 100 women gathered to find answers to these questions and others about the various effects of menopause. The symposium, "Menopause: Unlocking the Mysteries," held in the O'Keeffe Auditorium, was moderated by Karen Carlson, MD, director of Women's Health Associates.
Speakers
included: Isaac Schiff, MD, chief of the MGH Vincent OB/GYN Service, who discussed
"What's New in Estrogen?"; Diane Heislein, PT, MS, OCS, (left) of the
MGH Department of Physical Therapy, who addressed "Exercise to Prevent
Osteoporosis;" David M. Slovik, MD, of MGH Endocrinology and the Spaulding
Rehabilitation Hospital, who presented "'Why Am I Shrinking?' Recent Advances in
Osteoporosis Treatment and Evaluation;" and Jan L. Shifren, MD, MGH Vincent OB/GYN,
who spoke about "Sexuality and Menopause." The Women's Health Symposium is held
twice a year, and is open to all MGH patients.