(Pre) Menopause Matters - Early Education for a Healthier Future (Part A - Fundamentals)

Affiliate Course

9.5 Contact Hours

This course is designed to put healthcare practitioners at the forefront of menopause practice by promoting early education on the menopause transition. While ALL women need evidence-based education about how to manage menopause symptoms and mitigate future health risks, women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s have the most to gain. Hormonal changes begin years before symptoms appear, yet few women recognize their symptoms are early signs of the menopause transition. Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life involving a complex physiological process of hormonal changes over twenty years or more. Women who don’t address these changes face greater risk of chronic disease or dysfunction affecting quality of life. Two million U.S. women experience menopause each year, and an estimated 1.1 billion women worldwide will be post-menopause as of 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. (Pre)Menopause Matters fills that gap in provider education. This course demystifies a life transition all women who live long enough will experience, and provides the clinical tools providers need to better prepare their adult female patients for menopause through early and ongoing education.

(Pre) Menopause Matters: Part A is the first of a two-part course. Participants learn the latest evidence related to physical and mental health changes during the menopause transition. Practical screening tools help to quickly identify menopause-related problems and future individual risks in female patients, regardless of diagnosis. Understanding the most effective treatment options promotes optimal, efficient care. Participants will be better prepared to empower their clientele with accurate education about evidence-based treatment options. This course is available online with recorded PowerPoint lectures, case studies, presentation handouts, patient education materials, reference lists, and supplemental course material downloads. Participants earn a Certificate of Completion with 9.5 contact hours after successfully passing an online examination.

1. Describe the etiology and health implications of menopause and latest evidence-based treatment.
2. Identify clinical evaluation tools for differential diagnosis and risk factors for common pathology associated with menopause.
3. Discuss the risks and benefits for medical management, alternative therapy, and physical therapy of menopause-related physiologic changes associated with disease risks.
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 a healthy heart, muscles, and bones in women throughout their lifespans.

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

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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