Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health

What’s New in Menopause Care?

In our seventh episode of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we discuss a truly “hot” topic—menopause. As a public benefit corporation devoted to serving safety net clinicians and their patients, Afaxys recognizes the disparities in menopause care for women seeking treatment at public health clinics, so we brought in world-renowned experts to talk about the ins and outs of menopause care, particularly during perimenopause. The esteemed Dr. Steven Goldstein and Dr. Lauren Streicher joined us for a lively discussion around the importance of individualizing treatment based on patient goals and medical history rather than following one-size-fits-all approaches.  * Dr. Steven Goldstein is Past President of the International Menopause Society, Past President of the North American Menopause Society, and Past President of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. He currently is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU School of Medicine. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles and 60 book chapters. He authored the book Could It Be Perimenopause 27 years ago, as well as the first Textbook of Perimenopausal Gynecology 24 years ago. * Dr. Lauren Streicher is a clinical professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. She is also a Certified Menopause Practitioner of the Menopause Society and the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. Dr. Streicher is a best-selling author of multiple books and the host of the podcast series “Inside Information” as well as “Come Again,” an educational audio series for patients and clinicians. She is a noted and sought-after authority in menopause and sexual health, having appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, the Oprah Winfrey show, and many other media outlets. Disclosures: Dr. Goldstein is a speaker for Bayer and Astellas, served on an advisory board for Astellas, and served on a safety monitoring board for Bayer and Mithra. Dr. Streicher is a stockholder in Sermonix and gives educational lectures to healthcare professionals on behalf of Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Resources: * Dama Assist [https://www.damaassist.com/] – an AI clinical co-pilot for hormone health * Menopause: The Inside Info [https://drstreicher.substack.com/s/come-again] with Dr. Lauren Streicher (Substack) * Inside Information Podcast: Menopause, Midlife and More [https://open.spotify.com/show/3va7qi3eD45J6qC7t5rptS] with Dr. Lauren Streicher * Come Again for Healthcare Clinicians [https://www.drstreicher.com/comeagain] with Dr. Lauren Streicher * World Class CME Survival Skills for WH – Experts Teach Menopause [https://worldclasscme.com/events/survival-skills-for-womens-health/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21784396731&gbraid=0AAAAAC7CfQnTdP4rTCt-O5JljjaN6rA8q&gclid=CjwKCAiAtLvMBhB_EiwA1u6_PtHiPrHAVpTLypYFcrFroXsdWFDgoKOft9xFHMjzyME8tqMYM4wzPxoCqmoQAvD_BwE] April 17-19 in New York City Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com [http://www.afaxys.com] for resources.

Contraception Mis- and Disinformation on Social Media

In our sixth episode of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we explore the world of contraception misinformation, disinformation and negative sentiment on social media. With our expert guests, Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett and Dr. Sarah Ann Anderson-Burnett, we define what contraception mis-/disinformation is (and what it is not). We walk through how clinicians can assess what sort of information their patients are seeing online, including how to query patients and tools such as Bedsider Providers+ [https://providers.bedsider.org/]. Our experts guide us through talking with patients about online contraception information, including acknowledgment of their worries and fears that are often the foundation of misinformation belief. Should clinicians post on social media to educate their patients? Our experts say YES and talk about how to get started. * Donna Adams-Pickett, PhD, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB/GYN, CEO of Four Girls For Girls Foundation and Afya Partners in Health Equity and Health Education. * Sarah-Ann Anderson-Burnett, MD, PhD, FAAP, is assistant vice president of Health and Wellness and the director of Health Services and Quality Improvement at Barnard College. Disclosures Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett and Dr. Sarah Ann Anderson-Burnett have no disclosures. Resources White paper: Combating misinformation in sexual and reproductive health care [https://www.healio.com/news/womens-health-ob-gyn/20251119/combating-misinformation-in-sexual-and-reproductive-health-care]  Bedsider Providers+ [https://providers.bedsider.org/] Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett on social media: ·       https://www.instagram.com/drdonna_thegirlfriendsgyn/ [https://www.instagram.com/drdonna_thegirlfriendsgyn/] ·       https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552125051772 [https://www.facebook.com/people/Dr-Donna-The-Girlfriends-GYN/61552125051772/] ·       https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirlfriendsgyn [https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirlfriendsgyn] Whitfield B, Wilkinson TA, Lindberg LD. Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Receipt of Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling [https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2843177]. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(12):e2551287. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.51287 By Emily Pfender and colleagues: Social Media Is Influencing Contraceptive Choice [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1089/jwh.2023.1152?icid=int.sj-abstract.similar-articles.1&_gl=1*jlukzt*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjA3MDc3NTUzNi4xNzY4NTkyODUy*_ga_60R758KFDG*czE3Njg1OTI4NTEkbzEkZzAkdDE3Njg1OTI4NTEkajYwJGwwJGgxOTMxNTIwNjkx] Hormonal Contraceptive Side Effects and Nonhormonal Alternatives on TikTok: A Content Analysis [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/15248399231221163] What Do Social Media Influencers Say About Birth Control? A Content Analysis of YouTube Vlogs About Birth Control [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10410236.2022.2149091] Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com [http://www.afaxys.com/] for resources. Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com [http://www.afaxys.com] for resources.

Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment: New ACOG Partner Treatment Recommendations

In our fifth episode of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we discuss the recently published “StepUp” randomized controlled trial of male partner treatment for the prevention of bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrence in female partners with our expert guests, Dr. Craig Cohen and Dr. Ina Park. Building on our previous episode 4, part 2, we take a deep dive into the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Clinical Practice Update: Concurrent Sexual Partner Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence. This guidance was based on the StepUp clinical trial and published after we spoke with Dr. Christina Muzny in our last episode. Today’s discussion covers why the vaginal microbiome is central to BV, what the recent clinical trial from Australia actually showed, a critical look at the new clinical practice update, and why applying the Australian trial findings in U.S. clinics requires appreciation of the nuances of the trial population. Our experts also explore whether BV should be viewed as a sexually transmitted infection, plus the practical challenges of treating male partners. They also highlight emerging strategies—such as microbiome-restoring therapies—and key questions that still need research before widespread adoption. Disclosures: Dr. Cohen discloses that he is on the scientific committee for Osel and Evvy. Dr. Park has no disclosures. Resources: ***Free CME!*** STI Expert Hour Webinar - Male Partner Treatment to Prevent BV Recurrence: Evidence and Implementation on December 18, 2025 [https://courses.nnptc.org/class_information.html?id=4254&_gl=1*d4jdw8*_ga*MTMxNTc5NDgwMi4xNzY0ODU1Njcz*_ga_QG4NSTXXQL*czE3NjQ4NTU2NzMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NjQ4NTU2OTIkajQxJGwwJGgwGetting Everyone on Board to Break the Cycle of Bacterial Vaginosis, the Qualitative Study of Partner Treatment for BV. ] Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40043236/]  Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40043241/]  Getting Everyone on Board to Break the Cycle of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Recurrence: A Qualitative Study of Partner Treatment for BV [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11985585/] ACOG PUBLICATIONS: CLINICAL PRACTICE UPDATE [https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2025&issue=12000&article=00025&type=Fulltext] Concurrent Sexual Partner Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence [https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2025&issue=12000&article=00025&type=Fulltext] Melbourne Sexual Health Centre - BV in focus [https://www.mshc.org.au/sexual-health/bacterial-vaginosis] Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com [http://www.afaxys.com] for resources.

Updates in Bacterial Vaginosis Prevention

In our third and fourth episodes of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we talk with Dr. Olivia van Gerwen and Dr. Christina Muzny about recent updates in prevention strategies for HIV and bacterial vaginosis (BV).  In Episode 3 (Part 1), Dr. Olivia “Libby” van Gerwen walks us through oral versus injectable medications as HIV prevention strategies, including the findings from the Purpose 1 and Purpose 2 trials of lenacapavir. We also discuss real-world nuances of HIV PrEP care such as insurance, cost, patient preference, and the clinical logistics of these preventive medications. In Episode 4 (Part 2), Dr. Christina Muzny tackles our tough questions: Is BV a sexually transmitted infection? Does male partner treatment prevent BV recurrence? Which patients are eligible for this type of therapy? Learn how today’s guest experts are advancing STI prevention and improving patient care—insights every sexual and reproductive health clinician can use. Disclosures: Dr. van Gerwen discloses research funding from NIH and Gilead, including the Purpose 2 and Purpose 365 trials. Unrelated to this episode, she has served as a consultant for GSK, Abbott, and BioMeriuex. Dr. Muzny discloses research funding from NIH, Gilead, BioNTech, and Abbott. Resources for Part 1: Bekker LG, Das M, Karim QA, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir or Daily F/TAF for HIV Prevention in Cisgender Women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2024;391(13):1179-1192. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2407001 Kelley CF, Acevedo-Quiñones M, Agwu AL, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention in Men and Gender-Diverse Persons. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025;392(13):1261-1276. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2411858 Resources for Part 2: https://www.mshc.org.au/sexual-health/bacterial-vaginosis [https://www.mshc.org.au/sexual-health/bacterial-vaginosis] Vodstrcil LA, Plummer EL, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Law MG, Petoumenos K, Bateson D, Murray GL, Donovan B, Chow EPF, Chen MY, Kaldor J, Bradshaw CS; StepUp Team. Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis. N Engl J Med. 2025 Mar 6;392(10):947-957. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2405404. PMID: 40043236. Muzny CA, Sobel JD. Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners. New England Journal of Medicine. Published online March 6, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMe2500373 Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com [http://www.afaxys.com] for resources.

Updates in HIV Prevention

In our third and fourth episodes of Afaxys Candid Conversations in Public Health, we talk with Dr. Olivia van Gerwen and Dr. Christina Muzny about recent updates in prevention strategies for HIV and bacterial vaginosis (BV).  In Episode 3 (Part 1), Dr. Olivia “Libby” van Gerwen walks us through oral versus injectable medications as HIV prevention strategies, including the findings from the Purpose 1 and Purpose 2 trials of lenacapavir. We also discuss real-world nuances of HIV PrEP care such as insurance, cost, patient preference, and the clinical logistics of these preventive medications. In Episode 4 (Part 2), Dr. Christina Muzny tackles our tough questions: Is BV a sexually transmitted infection? Does male partner treatment prevent BV recurrence? Which patients are eligible for this type of therapy? Learn how today’s guest experts are advancing STI prevention and improving patient care—insights every sexual and reproductive health clinician can use. Disclosures: Dr. van Gerwen discloses research funding from NIH and Gilead, including the Purpose 2 and Purpose 365 trials. Unrelated to this episode, she has served as a consultant for GSK, Abbott, and BioMeriuex. Dr. Muzny discloses research funding from NIH, Gilead, BioNTech, and Abbott. Resources for Part 1: Bekker LG, Das M, Karim QA, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir or Daily F/TAF for HIV Prevention in Cisgender Women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2024;391(13):1179-1192. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2407001 Kelley CF, Acevedo-Quiñones M, Agwu AL, et al. Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention in Men and Gender-Diverse Persons. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025;392(13):1261-1276. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2411858 Resources for Part 2: https://www.mshc.org.au/sexual-health/bacterial-vaginosis [https://www.mshc.org.au/sexual-health/bacterial-vaginosis] Vodstrcil LA, Plummer EL, Fairley CK, Hocking JS, Law MG, Petoumenos K, Bateson D, Murray GL, Donovan B, Chow EPF, Chen MY, Kaldor J, Bradshaw CS; StepUp Team. Male-Partner Treatment to Prevent Recurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis. N Engl J Med. 2025 Mar 6;392(10):947-957. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2405404. PMID: 40043236. Muzny CA, Sobel JD. Bacterial Vaginosis — Time to Treat Male Partners. New England Journal of Medicine. Published online March 6, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMe2500373 Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. Opinions are those of the speakers and not necessarily of Afaxys. Visit Afaxys.com [http://www.afaxys.com] for resources.