New options, familiar principles: learning in Milan

New options, familiar principles: learning in Milan

Despite my appearance, I’m actually half Italian. I have a fair-to-middling grasp of the language, but this week I realised I already knew several essential phrases in my limited vocabulary: “Posso cominciare?” — may I start; “Pianissimo, pianissimo” — very gently, very gently; and “Basta, sto finito” — enough, I’m done.

I was amused that, despite an early education mostly based on gossip, conversations about food, occasional Italian Catholic church services and a long-forgotten GCSE, I had enough Italian for the essential phrases used when injecting one of the most delicate and sensitive parts of the human body.

Where new treatments may fit

I spent 26 hours or so in Milan learning about Hyaluxelle, a hyaluronic-acid-based treatment designed to improve hydration and tissue quality in vulvovaginal tissues. It is always interesting to work out where new treatments may fit within the broader landscape of care, rather than viewing them as replacements for established approaches.

For me, this sits further down the pathway for women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, after good vulval skincare, emollients and, where appropriate, local hormones have been optimised.

I can see a potential role for women who continue to struggle despite these measures, those who present later with more established tissue changes, or those who wish to avoid hormones for personal or medical reasons. It is not a replacement for established treatments, but may offer another option for selected women where the current toolkit is not quite enough.

Not every treatment suits every patient, and the more options we understand, the better we can individualise care.

It was also a real pleasure to meet wonderful colleagues, exchange ideas and expand my professional network. I’m convinced many of the best connections and potential collaborations happen in conversations over coffee and cannoli between sessions.

New skills, new colleagues and new Italian phrases seemed a fair exchange — especially with a helping of gelato and a plate of tiramisu before heading home.