A Dedicated Women’s Health Day at 9th Annual Boca SMH, January 23-26
The 9th Annual Symposium for Metabolic Health, scheduled for January 23–26, 2025, in Boca Raton, FL, will feature a full day devoted to Women’s Health on January 24th. This special session is set to explore many critical topics, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), fertility, endometriosis, hormonal disruptors, women’s cancers, and PCOS. Attendees will benefit from actionable insights delivered by a dynamic panel of leading experts in the field. Among these experts is Dr. Barbara Levy, a renowned OB/GYN with over 40 years of experience, who will bring her unique expertise to the stage to demystify the often-misunderstood subject of hormone therapy.
About Dr. Barbara Levy
Dr. Barbara Levy, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and a certified menopause provider. With a career spanning more than four decades, she has devoted her professional life to advancing the health and well-being of women. Currently, Dr. Levy serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Visana Health, Inc., a virtual-first women’s health company, and Uroshape. She also holds prominent roles in national medical organizations, including Vice-Chair of the American Medical Society’s CPT Editorial Panel. A prolific researcher, Dr. Levy has authored over 95 peer-reviewed studies and articles.
Dr. Levy’s presentation at the Symposium will focus on “Perimenopause: What’s Not Linked to Cancer”, highlighting the profound misunderstandings surrounding menopausal hormone therapy that persist to this day.
A Mission to Correct Misconceptions
Dr. Levy’s passion for women’s health is rooted in her extensive expertise in hormone management and her frustration with the lasting impact of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, which she says led to widespread misinterpretation and fear around HRT.
“That study devastated the menopause community,” says Dr. Levy. “It claimed hormones were dangerous—causing heart disease, breast cancer, and more. But 22 years later, we know those conclusions were flawed. The risks were overstated, and the benefits of menopausal hormone therapy, when properly understood, are transformative.”
Dr. Levy will explore the errors in the WHI study, such as recruiting older, asymptomatic women with preexisting health risks and relying on a single type of hormone therapy (Premarin and Provera). “The results of this study were inappropriately extrapolated to younger, symptomatic women entering menopause,” she explains.
Her presentation will clarify the safety and benefits of HRT, emphasizing its efficacy in alleviating menopausal symptoms and improving overall health. Dr. Levy will also address how hormone therapy can reduce the risk of heart disease, prevent osteoporosis, and improve insulin sensitivity—offering holistic benefits that extend far beyond symptom management.
The Value of Attending in Person
Dr. Levy encourages practitioners, researchers, and laypeople alike to attend the Symposium in person, emphasizing the unique value of face-to-face interactions with experts.
“There’s nothing like rubbing elbows with experts,” she says. “It’s not just about hearing the talks but gaining the experience behind the talks. Hormones are nuanced, and treating women requires a holistic approach—food as medicine, understanding inflammation, and managing the full spectrum of health challenges that come with menopause.”
A Call to Women Seeking Answers
For women who have struggled to find effective solutions for their symptoms, Dr. Levy offers a message of hope. “If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again,” she says. “Find someone who listens and looks at the whole picture—not just your hormone levels. Your symptoms are real, and you deserve care that addresses you as a whole person.”
Dr. Levy also cautions against the lure of expensive supplements and “snake oil” solutions, urging women to seek evidence-based care from practitioners who prioritize listening and comprehensive evaluation.
Why You Should Be in Boca Raton This January
The Symposium for Metabolic Health promises to be an invaluable opportunity for anyone interested in advancing their understanding of metabolic and women’s health. Women’s Health Day, in particular, offers an unparalleled chance to engage with leading experts like Dr. Levy, who are challenging outdated paradigms and advocating for science-based, patient-centered care.
Register today to attend in person and be part of this transformative event. For those unable to join in Boca Raton, virtual options will be available, but the chance to network and engage directly with speakers like Dr. Levy is an experience best captured in person.
For more information and to secure your spot, visit the Symposium event page.
