(Pre) Menopause Matters | Early Education for a Healthier Future (Full Course)

Affiliate Course

17.75 Contact Hours

Step-by-Step Mastery Available with Part A 'Fundamentals' & Part B 'Advanced Topics'

This course is designed to put healthcare practitioners at the forefront of menopause practice through early education on the menopause transition. Menopause is the final taboo in women’s health, often associated with dysfunction and disease that are largely preventable if women make lifestyle changes early in life, and manageable if women are already experiencing symptoms.

Women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s have the most to gain from education about hormonal changes prior to symptoms appearing, however, few receive the guidance they need and most have no idea menopause applies to them. Menopause is a natural transition in life involving a complex physiological process of hormonal changes over twenty years or more. If unchecked, women face increased risks for chronic diseases or dysfunctions affecting quality of life.

Two million U.S. women will experience menopause this year, and an estimated 1.1 billion women worldwide will be post-menopause by 2025. Most will live a third or more of their lives after menopause, yet few medical programs offer education specific to the menopause transition. Women often report difficulty finding knowledgeable healthcare providers who can advise them on evidence-based preventative measures or effective management of their symptoms. This course fills that gap in provider education and demystifies a natural transition of life all women who live long enough will experience. This course provides the clinical tools providers require to better prepare their adult female patients for menopause through early education. 

Participants will learn the latest evidence related to menopause evaluation tools and treatment options to better identify and provide effective care of their female clients. This independent study course includes 14 hours of pre-recorded lectures and two hours of online written materials for a total of 16 hours of continuing education. The participant advances through the course modules at their own pace. 

1. Understand the etiology and health implications of menopause and the latest evidence pertaining to evidence-based treatment.
2. Learn clinical evaluation tools for differential diagnosis of and risk factors for common dysfunctions and diseases associated with menopause.
3. Discuss the risks and benefits for medical management, alternative medicine, and physical therapy management of menopause-related physiologic changes and associated disease processes.
4. Recognize specific challenges and risk factors related to women experiencing premature menopause.
5. Develop an appropriate exercise prescription based on symptoms and risks to optimize function and promote healthy lifestyle in midlife women.
6. Recognize the cultural implications and psychological impact of menopause on women.
7. Provide women evidence-based resources that promote healthy lifestyle choices and informed healthcare decisions

Part A: Fundamentals (9.5 Contact Hours)

MODULE 1: Scope of the Topic

• What do women know about menopause?
• How is menopause defined?
• Overview of signs and symptoms
• Historical perspective
• Implications in clinical practice

MODULE 2: Female Aging: Anatomy and Physiology

• The Climacteric
• What are hormones?
• Homeostasis and aging
• What makes female aging unique?
• Oxidative stress, metabolism & aging
• Physical signs of menopause

MODULE 3: Management of Autonomic Symptoms

• Hot flashes
• Body odor
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Brain fog
• Headaches
• Clinical Considerations

MODULE 4: Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMS)

• CAM Categories
• Prevalence and Evidence of CAMs
• Mind-Body CAM Options for Menopause Symptoms
• Botanical Dietary Supplements
• Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation in Menopause
• General Precautions with All Supplements
• Questions to Ask Before Taking Supplements

MODULE 5: Cardiovascular Health

• Cardiovascular Disease in Women
• Cardiac Research
• Health Disparities
• CVD Risk Factors
• Signs and Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest
• Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Health
• Screening
• Prevention and Treatment Guidelines

MODULE 6: Bone Health: Part A: Physiologic Changes in Menopause

• Anatomy and Physiology of Bone
• Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
• Tests
• Screening for Osteoporosis

MODULE 7: Pelvic Health: Bowel & Bladder Dysfunctions

• Statistics on PF Dysfunctions in Older Women
• Estrogen Effect on the Pelvic Floor
• Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Fecal and Anal Incontinence
• Mini-Anatomy Review for Non-Pelvic Health Providers
• How to Find, Contract & Relax Your Pelvic Floor

MODULE 8 & 9: Hormones Part A & Hormones Part B

• What is Hormone Therapy (HT)?
• Prevalence/Modes of Transmission
• Key Hormone Pathways: Estrogens, Androgens, Progestogens
• Types of HT
• Who May Benefit from Hormone Therapy?
• Evidence-Based Recommendations for Use
• Precautions for MHT
• Non-Hormone Prescription Therapies
• Bioidentical Hormone Compounds
• Case Scenarios
• Clinical Considerations

MODULE 10: Premature Menopause

• Special considerations with induced menopause
• Long term risk factors associated with early menopause
• Hormone replacement considerations
• Non-hormone therapeutic interventions

MODULE 11: Metabolic Exercise and Fitness Prescription

• Midlife Fitness Promotion
• Estrogen and Musculoskeletal Performance
• Evidence-Based Exercise Prescription
• Strengthening Principles
• Muscle, Bone & Cardiovascular reservation
• Popular Types of Fitness Training
• Special Considerations
• Clinician's Role in Treating Midlife Women

Access (Pre) Menopause Matters Part A: Fundamentals

Part B: Advanced Topics (8.25 Contact hours)

MODULE 12: Psychosocial Aspects of Menopause

• Perceptions of Aging and Menopause
• Perimenopause Mental Health Implications
• Clinical Considerations

MODULE 13: Stress Reduction and Relaxation Strategies

• National Mental Health Crisis
• Women and Stress
• Healthcare Provider Counseling
• Intervention: Relaxation Strategies
• Clinical Considerations

MODULE 14: Hormones Part C: Advanced Topics

• Reproductive Function Review
• Key Endocrine Markers of Menopause
• Sex Hormone Production After Menopause
• Hormone Balance
• Hormone Testing and Prescription
• Diagnostic Principles for Menopause Hormone Therapy
• Clinical Considerations

MODULE 15: Bone Health Part B: Clinical Applications

• Bone and Muscle Mass
• Screening for Sarcopenia
• Osteoporosis Evaluation
• Managing Bone Health
• Osteoporosis Treatment

MODULE 16 & 17: Nutrition & Weight Management Part A & Nutrition & Weight Management Part B

• Metabolic Changes in Menopause
• New Health Risks
• Hormonal Influences
• Dietary Recommendations
• Prescription and Surgical Weight Management
• Clinical Implications

• Nutrition Timing for Metabolic Health
• Digestive Health Management
• Healthcare Clinician's Role
• Case Scenario

MODULE 18: Special Considerations

• Cultural Considerations in the United States
• Caring for the Lesbian Patient at Midlife and Beyond
• Intimate Partner Violence
• “Quality of Life”
• Menopause-Specific Assessment Tools

MODULE 19 & 20: Sexuality in Midlife Part A & Sexuality in Midlife Part B

• Sexual Activity in U.S. Older Women
• Peri and Postmenopausal Pregnancy
• Female Physiology of Arousal and Response
• Sexual Health in Midlife
• Sexual Dysfunction Domains and Therapeutic Options

• Dyspareunia Interventions
• Couple-Pause Sexual Dysfunctions
• Arousal & Response Interventions
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
• Practitioner Tips

MODULE 21: Emerging Practices in Menopause Care

• Statistics & Opportunities for Menopause Services
• Emerging Practice Patterns
• The Future of Menopause Care

Access (Pre) Menopause Matters Part B: Advanced Topics

Full Course: Parts A & B Bundled

The bundled course combines all of the modules from Part A (modules 1-11) and Part B (modules 12-21) at a discounted price. 

Access the Full Course Bundle

Karen Litos, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist

Dr. Litos has over 23 years clinical experience and is well-known to physical therapists as a passionate advocate for women’s health through her public speaking and course instruction at the local, state, national and international levels. She is board-certified through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in Women’s Health and opened the first cash-based PT clinic in the greater Lansing area specializing in women’s health issues through the lifespan, No Mom Left Behind PT.  She has been an active volunteer in many capacities in the APTA Academy of Pelvic Health, including contributing course content to the CAPP obstetrics courses and as an instructor training PTs around the world through live and online courses in obstetrics care. Dr. Litos is co-owner of Snowden & Litos LLC, an online continuing education company offering courses in menopause education. She co-authored Pre-Menopause Matters, a ground-breaking, self-paced, continuing education course training healthcare providers in menopause care offered collaboratively through the Academy of Pelvic Health. Dr. Litos retired from her clinical practice in 2021 but remains active as an educator and advocate promoting obstetrics and menopause care.

Karen Snowden, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist

Dr. Karen Snowden is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who is board certified in women’s health (WCS) and holds specialty certifications through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in pelvic health (CAPP-Pelvic) and pregnancy / postpartum (CAPP-OB). She has 30+ years clinical experience and specializes in various aspects of women's health and men's pelvic health. She is known for her comprehensive, holistic approach in helping diverse patients achieve their personal goals. Karen resides in Allentown, PA. She received her physical therapy degree from Northeastern University and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Widener University. Karen treats all genders in a hospital-based out-patient clinic. She is a faculty member in the DeSales University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and with the APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. She is an international speaker educating physical therapists in pelvic, obstetric, and menopause-related conditions and wellness. She is co-owner of Snowden & Litos, a women’s health education company teaching healthcare providers about the latest research and cares for women during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond at www.snowdenlitos.com. She is an active volunteer on various APTA professional committees. Karen is passionate about empowering her patients to make informed decisions for optimal health for an active lifestyle and teaching evidence-based skills to other healthcare providers.

Please note that Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy member discounts or other discounts do not apply to this course as it is hosted via our affiliate course partner Snowden & Litos LLC.

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