(Pre) Menopause Matters: The Power of Early Education

An Independent Study Course

A course for women who "aren't there yet". Open to Professional Healthcare Providers. Earn a Certificate of Achievement in Menopause Education. Evidence-based, Comprehensive, and Clinically Relevant Information.

 access this training now!
This course is open to PTs, PTAs and other healthcare providers.

Snowden & Litos is an approved APTA course provider for the Michigan Physical Therapy Association. (Pre) Menopause Matters has been approved for 16 CEUs for Michigan and Maryland PTs and PTAs.

Many states will offer reciprocal CEUs for courses approved by other APTA state chapters. See the CEU link to learn more about requirements in your state for independent study courses.

Earn a Certificate of Achievement in Menopause Education.

Our Independent Study course offers self-paced learning with clinically relevant, evidence-packed recorded modules, a course manual pdf, and supplemental clinician resources (handouts and more). All participants earn a Certificate of Achievement in Menopause Education after passing the post-course examination. As alumni, participants are eligible for future course discounts and exclusive opportunities to keep current with the latest evidence in menopause education!

Women need current evidence-based education on this critical period of life NOW, not later!

This course is designed for the women who "aren't there yet," those who may not recognize their hormones are already silently changing as they go on with their busy lives...getting pregnant, nursing babies, building careers, exercising, or just hanging out with family or friends. Hormonal fluctuations begin twenty years or more before the menopause transition is complete, and early symptoms are often confused for other life events such as pregnancy, postpartum, or stress!


Did you know most medical programs
do not provide education specific to the menopause?

Let's save the next generation from preventable diseases and conditions that degrade quality of life and educate ALL women on simple actions they can take now for a better future.

Course Description:

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, demystifies a natural transition of life all women who live long enough will experience, and 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 lecture and two hours of written materials for a total of 16 hours continuing education. The participant advances through the course modules at their own pace.  

NOTE: Participants have unlimited access to all course materials for 180 days from the date of registration.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, physical therapist students

TOTAL CONTACT TIME

16 hrs. (Independent Study Materials 2 hrs; OnDemand Modules 14hrs)

Course Objectives:

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

Evidence-Based & Clinically Applicable
Our Course Curriculum

 SEE CoURSE DESCRIPTION

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
  • Allergies
  • Hormonal Pain

MODULE 4

Hormones Part A & B
  • What is hormone balance?
  • Hormone changes and key hormones
  • Hormone testing
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHT)
  • Appendix A: Summary of NAMS recommendations

MODULE 5

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
  • Appendix A: Common Vitamin Deficiencies in Menopause
  • Appendix B: Commonly Used Drugs with Potential Nutritional Deficiencies
  • Appendix C: Summary of Dietary & Botanical Supplements for Menopause Symptoms

MODULE 6

Cardiovascular Health
  • Cardiovascular Disease in Women
  • Cardiac Research
  • Health Disparities
  • CVD Risk Factors
  • Non-modifiable
    - Modifiable
    - Emerging
    - Menopause-specific
  • Signs and Symptoms of Cardiac Arrest
  • Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Health
  • Screening
  • Prevention and Treatment Guidelines
    - Lifestyle Changes
    - Physical Activity
    - Pharmacology
    - Cardiac Rehabilitation

MODULE 7

Bone Health
  • Anatomy and Physiology of Bone
  • Osteoporosis - Postmenopausal
    - Risk Factors
    - Impairments
    - Diagnostics
  • Fundamental Measures for Bone Health
  • Screening for Osteoporosis
    - Bone Health Strategies
    - Prevention
        - Appendix A
    - Physical Therapy
    - Pain Management
    - Pharmacology
    - Surgery
  • Bone and Muscle Mass Relationship
  • Exercise and Fitness Guidelines

MODULE 8

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 9

Psychosocial Aspects of Menopause
  • Perceptions of Aging and Menopause
  • Mental Health Implication in Perimenopause
    - Depression
    - Irritability
    - Anxiety
    - Psychiatric Disorders
    - Sleep Disorders
    - Fatigue
  • Clinical Pearls

MODULE 10

Stress Reduction and Relaxation Strategies
  • National Mental Health Crisis
    - Care of the Clinician
  • Women and Stress
    - Menopause
  • Healthcare Provider Counseling
    - The Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory
  • Intervention: Relaxation Strategies
    - Relaxing Quotes
    - Affirmations
    - Imagery
    - Movement
    - Meditation
    - Music
    - Focused Breathing: Pranayama
       - Nadi Sodhana
       - Mudra
       - Mantra
       - Diaphragmatic breathing
       - Box breathing
    - Mindfulness
    - Gratitude awareness
  • Clinical Pearls

MODULE 11

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

MODULE 12

Metabolic Exercise and Fitness Prescription
  • Exercise and Menopause
  • Estrogen’s Role in Musculoskeletal Performance
  • Clinician’s Role in Treating Midlife Women
  • Evidence-Based Exercise Prescription
    - Strengthening Principles
    - Muscle Preservation
    - Bone Preservation
    - Cardiovascular Preservation
    - Types of Exercise Training
    - Popular Types of Fitness Training
    -Considerations
  • Summary

MODULE 13

Nutrition & Weight Management for the Midlife Woman
  • Weight management in midlife
  • Nutrition to disease-proof the body
  • Nutrition timing for metabolic
  • Digestive health

MODULE 14

Pelvic Health: Bowel & Bladder Dysfunctions
  • Statistics on PF dysfunctions in Older Women
  • Postural Causes
  • Estrogen Effect on the Pelvic Floor
  • Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse
  • Fecal and Anal Incontinence

MODULE 15

Good Vibrations: Sexuality in Midlife
  • Sexual Activity in U.S. Older Women
  • Peri and Postmenopausal Pregnancy
  • Sexual Health in Midlife
  • Sexual Dysfunction Domains and Therapeutic Options
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  • Practitioner Tips

Start NOW!

Access the full course now by choosing from one of your two payment options:
one payment of $695
- OR -
two payments of $350
 one-pay option
two-pay option

what people are saying about the course

Fantastic program!

"I think the online model was fantastic and I greatly appreciate not having to fly across the country, get a hotel, transportation, etc. Thank you for extending this course to an online session."

Laura - student
Great course with an extensive manual!

"Thank you for a great course and extensive manual!"

april - student
very pleased!

"I was very pleased with the course."

Tina - student

What Makes Us Different?

  • Are Doctorate-trained Physical Therapists with Board Certified Specialization in Women’s Health, along with years of continuing education
  • Together have more than 50 years of clinical experience treating women, and continue to treat women throughout the lifespan
  • Are experienced educators in doctorate-level and postgraduate education for healthcare providers throughout the United States, and use the latest teaching strategies to make complex information understandable
  • Provide the most current menopause-related women’s health evidence, and won’t confuse that with opinion
  • Are skilled at teaching how to integrate scientific research with practical solutions for effective patient care
  • Respect our colleagues who also want to raise the bar for women’s medicine and won’t constantly bombard your inbox with mailings for purposes of self-promotion

Frequently asked questions

Is this course approved to provide me with CE/CEU credits?

We do not guarantee CEUs in all states because each has different requirements. Many states will accept CEUs approved by another APTA chapter. Please note that some states have different rules and may limit or not accept CEUs for Independent Study courses. It is the participant's responsibility to determine eligibility for CEUs prior to registration. We will provide you with information you need to submit independently for CEUs if you choose to do so.

(Pre) Menopause Matters Independent Study has been approved for 16 CEUs from the Michigan Physical Therapy Association and the Maryland Physical Therapy Association.

Don't see your state listed? No worries!

Most but not all states grant reciprocal CE/CEU credit to physical therapists for courses approved by another state association of the APTA. Specifically, many states accept credit for courses approved for CEUs by the “APTA and its components” (that means APTA and its specialty sections and state chapters).

PTs can check their state's CEU requirements here.

It is the individual participant's sole responsibility to determine this course's eligibility and submission requirements for CEU credit in their state. Other professionals need to check with their state organization as well to see if they can get CE credit for the course. We will assist you with documentation required for submission. Some states may require pre-approval, while others require no approval process for CEUs. If you still aren't sure, contact us.

Generally, states may require some or all of the following documents:

  1. Course Description
  2. Course Objectives
  3. Course Time Ordered Agenda
  4. Faculty CVs/Resumes
  5. Certificate of Completion
  6. Bibliography with up to 10 sources from the last 10 years (visit your course manual reference pages)

If you need additional documentation to submit for CEUs in your state for this course, please contact us: info@SnowdenLitos.com

Is there a cancelation policy?

There are no refunds on the Independent Study courses.