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IDCP 2026-2027
M11: Hormones and the Skin in Dermatology: Physiology, Clinical Implications, and the Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Course Overview
Preview what you'll learn in this program
What You'll Learn
Welcome to Module 11, focused on hormones and the skin in dermatology. This module explores how hormonal physiology shapes dermatologic health across the adult lifespan from clinical diagnostics to evidence-based treatment, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and integrative lifestyle approaches.
The Hormone-Skin Connection: Physiology and Clinical Relevance for Dermatologic Practice
This course provides a clinically relevant overview of how hormonal signaling and hormonal transitions across the adult lifespan influence skin health in women and men. Emphasis is placed on perimenopause, menopause, age-related androgen changes, and how these physiologic shifts affect inflammation, barrier function, pigmentation, hair biology, and cutaneous aging. The course also addresses common systemic and whole-body symptoms associated with hormonal changes that may present alongside cutaneous findings, supporting a more comprehensive, patient-centered dermatologic approach.
After completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Review key hormonal pathways relevant to skin physiology, including sex hormones, adrenal hormones, thyroid hormones, and insulin
- Summarize clinically relevant hormonal changes across the adult lifespan, with emphasis on perimenopause, menopause, and androgen changes in men
- Identify dermatologic conditions commonly influenced by hormonal factors, including acne, hair disorders, pigmentary changes, pruritus, xerosis, and skin aging
- Recognize common systemic symptoms associated with hormonal changes that may coexist with dermatologic complaints and inform clinical assessment
- Apply hormone-skin insights to dermatologic practice, including patient counseling and interdisciplinary collaboration
Hormone Assessment: Diagnostic Workup and Testing Protocols for Dermatologists
This course explores the critical role of endocrine signaling in skin physiology and its impact on common dermatologic conditions. Learners will gain the skills to recognize cutaneous manifestations of hormonal imbalances and accurately interpret key laboratory tests, including functional medicine testing options, used in clinical practice. Through a structured diagnostic framework, participants will learn how to evaluate and address hormonal contributors to skin disease.
After completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe the role of endocrine signaling in skin physiology
- Recognize dermatologic manifestations of hormonal imbalance
- Interpret commonly used hormonal laboratory tests
- Apply a structured diagnostic approach for investigating hormonal causes of skin disease
HRT Fundamentals: Core Principles and Evidence-Based Approaches to Hormone Replacement
This course provides a comprehensive overview of hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause and their clinical implications. Participants will learn to evaluate appropriate candidates for hormone replacement therapy, compare delivery systems, and implement effective monitoring strategies for patient safety and outcomes. The session will also review current evidence on the use of topical estrogen for aesthetic and skin-related benefits.
After completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause
- Identify indications and contraindications for hormone replacement therapy
- Compare different hormone therapy delivery systems
- Discuss monitoring strategies for patients receiving hormone therapy
- Review the evidence on topical estrogen for aesthetic outcomes
Integrative and Lifestyle Approaches to Hormonal Health
This session examines integrative and lifestyle-based approaches to hormonal health and their impact on dermatologic outcomes across the lifespan. Participants will explore how endogenous hormonal shifts and exogenous hormone therapies, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), affect skin aging, acne, hair disorders, pigmentation, and inflammatory conditions. The session will review evidence-based lifestyle interventions, nutrition strategies, stress and sleep optimization, and adjunctive therapies that support hormonal balance in both HRT and non-HRT populations. Practical guidance will be provided on patient stratification, safety considerations, and collaborative care models to optimize skin health while supporting overall hormonal resilience and longevity.
After completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Briefly describe the relationship between hormonal fluctuations, aging, and common dermatologic conditions in patients using and not using hormone replacement therapy.
- Discuss how lifestyle factors including nutrition, metabolic health, stress physiology, sleep, and environmental exposures, modulate hormonal signaling and dermatologic outcomes.
- Compare clinical considerations for dermatologic management in patients on HRT versus those managed without exogenous hormones.
- Identify evidence-based integrative interventions that can support hormonal health, skin barrier function, and inflammatory balance across diverse patient populations.
- Discuss strategies for interdisciplinary collaboration and patient counseling to safely integrate lifestyle and hormonal considerations into dermatology care plans.
Faculty
Accreditation Information
Target Audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of clinicians and non-clinicians involved in the care of patients within dermatology.
Physician Credit
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Your CE Source and LearnHealth. Your CE Source is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
Your CE Source designates this enduring material for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing Credit
This CE activity provides 4 contact hour of continuing nursing education. Your CE Source is a provider of continuing nursing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP 16031.
Method of Participation
Participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures, 2) study the educational activity, 3) complete the posttest by recording the best answer to each quiz question, and 4) complete the evaluation form. A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed post-test with a score of 70% or better. Statements of credit will be available once the evaluation form is completed.
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Your CE Source ensures balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all our educational programs. In accordance with this policy, Your CE Source identifies conflicts of interest with its instructors, content managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of an activity. Conflicts are resolved by Your CE Source to ensure that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a continuing education activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. Your CE Source is committed to providing its learners with high-quality activities that promote improvements or quality in health care and not the business interest of a commercial interest.
The faculty reported the following financial relationships with commercial interests whose products or services may be mentioned in this activity:
| Name of Faculty | Reported Financial Relationship |
|---|---|
Karolina Skrzypek, MD MBA ABOIM FMACP | No relationships with a commercial interest to disclose |
Rubaina Dang, ND | No relationships with a commercial interest to disclose |
| Name of Editor / Scientific Reviewer | Reported Financial Relationship |
|---|---|
Apple Bodemer, MD | Consulting Fees (e.g., Advisory Board): Codex Labs |
The content managers reported the following financial relationships with commercial interests whose products or services may be mentioned in this activity:
| Name of Content Manager | Reported Financial Relationship |
|---|---|
Venita Sivamani, Planner | LearnHealth founder and shareholder |
Planners at Your CE Source | No relationships with a commercial interest to disclose |
All other faculty, planner and/or content managers have nothing to disclose nor do they have any vested interests or affiliations. All conflicts of interest have been resolved.
Disclaimer
The content, views, and opinions presented in this educational activity are those of the faculty/authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Your CE Source, and/or LearnHealth. The faculty/authors have disclosed if there is any discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA in their presentations. Before prescribing any medicine, primary references and full prescribing information should be consulted. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Learners are required to adhere to the privacy and confidentiality policy as it relates to the CE activities provided on the Internet. Please see the policy at https://www.yourcesource.org
Contact Information
This activity is jointly provided by Your CE Source and LearnHealth.
Questions about CE accreditation or CE certificates related to this course, please contact us via email at [email protected]. For all other questions, please contact [email protected].
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The Hormone-Skin Connection: Physiology and Clinical Relevance for Dermatologic Practice
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Hormone Assessment: Diagnostic Workup and Testing Protocols for Dermatologists
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HRT Fundamentals: Core Principles and Evidence-Based Approaches to Hormone Replacement
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Integrative and Lifestyle Approaches to Hormonal Health
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Post-Quiz
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- Questions
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- Passing Score
- 70%
- Average Score
- 0%
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