Join our comprehensive class dedicated to understanding and demystifying menopause. Participants will delve into the clinical diagnosis of menopause, learning to identify key diagnostic criteria and tests used in practice. Additionally, the course will address and debunk prevalent social myths, equipping healthcare professionals with evidence-based insights to enhance patient education and support.

After this class, participants will be able to:
Discuss the diagnosis of menopause by accurately identifying and explaining at least two diagnostic criteria or tests used in clinical practice.
Review and debunk at least three common social myths about menopause, providing evidence-based explanations during patient consultations or educational sessions.

Speaker Bio:
Dr. Jen Gunter is an internationally bestselling author, obstetrician, and gynecologist with more than three decades of experience as a vulvar and vaginal diseases expert. Her bestselling books, The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto, have been translated into 25 languages. She has a blog called The Vajenda, is the host of Jensplaining, a CBC/Amazon Prime video series that highlights the impact of medical misinformation on women, and is the recipient of the 2020 Media Award from The Menopause Society. Her TED Talk, “Why Can’t We Talk About Periods?” was the third most viewed TED Talk of 2020, leading to the launch of her popular podcast on the TED Audio Collective, “Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter.” She can be found online at www.thevajenda.com

This class will explore the symptoms of perimenopause alongside an overview of sexual dysfunction, providing a comprehensive understanding of these interrelated issues. Participants will learn about various symptoms and treatment strategies to effectively support their patients' wellbeing.

After this class, participants will be able to:
Discuss the importance of screening for and treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause by identifying at least two screening methods and three treatment options.
Recognize and list at least three symptoms of perimenopause and evaluate at least four different treatment approaches.
Discuss treatments for sexual health concerns by identifying at least two treatment options each for enhancing libido, addressing arousal issues, improving orgasm, and managing pain conditions.

Speaker Bio:
Dr. Rachel S. Rubin is a board certified urologist with fellowship training in sexual medicine. She is an assistant clinical professor in urology at Georgetown University and owns her own practice in Washington DC. Dr. Rubin provides comprehensive care to all genders. She treats issues such as pelvic pain, menopause, erectile dysfunction, and low libido. Dr. Rubin is the director at large and former education chair for the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) and an associate editor for the journal Sexual Medicine Reviews. Her work has been featured in the NYTimes, NPR, and PBS. She was named a Washingtonian Top Doctor in 2019-2023. 

This talk highlights the critical importance of recognizing and addressing racial and cultural diversity in menopause care to ensure equitable and effective treatment for all patients. Attendees will explore how cultural perspectives influence menopause experiences and discuss strategies for providing culturally sensitive care. By prioritizing diversity in menopause management, healthcare professionals can improve patient outcomes and foster inclusivity in their practice.

After the class, participants will be able to:
Identify and analyze at least two ways that racial and cultural differences impact menopause experiences, enabling more personalized patient care.
Implement at least two culturally sensitive strategies in their practice to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of menopause care for diverse patient populations.

Speaker Bio: 
Dr. Sameena Rahman, MD, FACOG, MSCP, IF, is a board-certified OB/GYN, founder of Center for Gynecology and Cosmetics, and podcast host of Gyno Girl Presents: Sex, Drugs, & Hormones. After years of practicing obstetrics and gynecology in a variety of large academic settings and locations, Dr Rahman opened a practice to focus on her special areas of interest - sexmed gynecology and menopause medicine – and to ensure patients have their best quality of life.

Through her research and dedication, Dr. Rahman is one of the few physicians nationally to receive the designation of ISSWSH (International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health ) Fellow (IF) and is actively involved with cutting edge approaches to sexual pain and sexual dysfunction. She also is an active member of the IPPS, International Pelvic Pain Society, and specializes in a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pelvic pain. For midlife women, Dr. Rahman is also a specialist in menopause management with the designation of Certified Menopause Physician through the North American Menopause Society (NCMP).

For patients navigating menopause and perimenopause, effective communication from health care providers can improve outcomes by fostering trust and conveying empathy. We will highlight the vital role of communication in health care settings, explore how clinician biases might affect a patient’s experience, and deliver techniques for communicating empathy and earning trust. Additionally, we will discuss and review practical strategies to support clients experiencing brain fog, helping them improve focus, memory, and overall clarity.

After this class, participants will be able to:

Identify key elements of effective communication with patients navigating menopause and perimenopause.

Identify techniques for active listening and empathetic communication to better support patients experiencing menopausal symptoms.

Employ practical strategies to help patients manage brain fog and improve cognitive clarity during perimenopause and menopause.

Speaker Bio:
Dr. Katherine Shephard, PT, DPT is passionate about improving pelvic health and communication in health care settings.  

After acquiring her BA in Politics and International Relations from Scripps College, she tried out various careers - from coaching golf to selling granite monuments. Upon learning about physical therapy, she knew she had found her calling. She brought the communication and people skills she learned in those careers to her physical therapy practice.

ADHD plays a large role in Katherine’s life - 3 out of the 5 brains in her household have ADHD. Driven to be a better partner and parent, she has gained a wealth of knowledge that she also shares with patients coping with the disorder. 

Along with treating patients and running New Normal PT, Katherine also mentors other pelvic health physical therapists and is the guest lecturer for the pelvic health content at St. Catherine University in their Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistant programs. 

Speaker Bio:
Nicola earned a BSc in Sports Science and Physiology (2002) and a BSc Hons Physiotherapy (2006) at the University of Glasgow. After an official move to Canada in 2008, Nicola joined a multidisciplinary health team in Nova Scotia, which initiated an extensive foundation of diverse health care practices. Her previous experience has included working in high level sports (soccer and Ice hockey). She currently is a teaching assistant for Antony Lo and teach at Loyalist College

Explore the complex medical implications of premature menopause in our comprehensive class designed for healthcare professionals. Participants will delve into the impacts on various organ systems, gaining insights to effectively identify and address these challenges. Additionally, the course will equip attendees with practical skills to counsel patients on a range of management strategies, including MHT, non-hormonal therapies, and lifestyle modifications for chronic disease management, ensuring holistic patient care.

After this class, participants will be able to:
Review the medical implications of premature menopause by identifying and explaining impacts on at least three specific organ systems.
Counsel patients on the management of premature menopause by providing at least two recommendations for MHT, two non-hormonal therapies, and two lifestyle or chronic disease management strategies.

Speaker Bio: 
Dr. Corinne Menn, DO, FACOG, MSCP is a board-certified OBGYN and menopause specialist. She is also a 23-year survivor of breast cancer and premature menopause and uses her experience to help women navigate their health challenges. She has dedicated her medical practice to menopause management, the unique healthcare needs of female cancer survivors.

She is also a Medical Advisor and prescribing doctor on Alloy, a menopause telehealth platform. She is a dedicated advocate and volunteer for the Young Survival Coalition, serving on their Council of Advisors, leading the Provider-Survivor support group, and serving on the Breast Cancer Alliance Research Grant Committee.