Women’s Health (HRT)

This course will review contemporary prescription compounding techniques and provide hands-on training utilizing the newest equipment and technologies.  An independent study component of the course will review menopause and the perimenopausal transition, current postmenopausal hormone therapy, and the effects of HRT regimens on heart disease risk factors in postmenopausal women.

Program goal:

In light of increased awareness of options available to women experiencing perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, the compounding pharmacist has a unique opportunity to tailor hormone replacement therapy to the specific needs of each woman.  Bioidentical and natural alternatives to “cookie cutter” therapies remain one of the major concerns of the contemporary female patient.  The objective of instruction in this certificate program is to prepare the compounding pharmacist to evaluate the patient, advise the physician on the benefits of alternate therapies, provide the best dosage form for each patient, and modulate hormone replacement to find the proper balance for the individual.

Hands On training using the following:

• Capsule machine
• Heater/stirrer/electric scale
• Troche Molds
• Ointment Mill

At the conclusion of this Certificate Program the pharmacist will be able to:

• Discuss the benefits of natural hormone replacement therapy with physicians and patients.
• Evaluate the need for hormone replacement in an individual patient, monitor improvement in symptoms, and adjust hormone replacement therapy.
• Demonstrate proper compounding techniques for preparation of various dosage vehicles for hormone replacement therapy including transdermals, capsules, and suppositories.