Low oestrogen states are among the most common yet under-recognised presentations in women’s health, particularly in primary care. They span a broad clinical spectrum, including hypothalamic dysfunction, premenstrual syndromes, perimenopause and menopause, and are frequently misattributed to primary psychiatric or lifestyle causes. For rural clinicians, where access to specialist care may be limited, confident recognition and management of these conditions is essential.
This session provides a clinically focused, evidence-based overview of low oestrogen physiology and its real-world manifestations. Dr Liz Jackson will revisit the menstrual cycle as a practical diagnostic framework, before exploring the pathophysiology underpinning common low oestrogen states. Emphasis will be placed on pattern recognition across mood, cognitive, vasomotor and urogenital domains, enabling clinicians to identify hormonal drivers of symptoms.
The session will also provide a pragmatic approach to management, including the role of oestrogen therapy, differences between oral and transdermal delivery, synthetic versus body-identical hormones, and appropriate use of progesterone. Risks associated with hormone therapy, including venous thromboembolism and breast cancer, will be discussed in absolute terms to support informed prescribing.
This talk aims to equip rural doctors with the knowledge and confidence to diagnose and manage low oestrogen states effectively, improving quality of life for patients who are often under-treated and misunderstood.