Workshop Description

The experience of pre-menopause/perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause is rarely talked about, but thousands of people are diagnosed daily with menopause-related challenges.

It shows up in clinical settings in many ways: if someone has been medically induced and is having many symptoms at once; if the whole family system is under stress because “now Mom is mad all the time;” if a client cannot get a medical doctor to address that all her symptoms are connected; or a client feels sex is just “too painful now” and plans never to have sex again.

As clinicians who may be in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause ourselves, do not understand our own bodies anymore and may find our work life more difficult than ever.

You may have a 48-year-old female client referred by a medical doctor. This new client has no history of depression, but suddenly, she cannot get out of bed, she cannot track her thoughts, and her blood pressure is through the roof. In this workshop, you will learn that these are all symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.

In this workshop, you will gain an in-depth knowledge of the 37 most common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause that affect us physically, mentally, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually.

In addition, you will learn how to talk with your clients about these symptoms and how to help them advocate outside the walls of your office for themselves and the medical care they need. We will also look at how biases and inequalities surrounding race and gender (collectively, we’ll say women, but we mean that in a very inclusive way to include those who identify as a woman, those who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) but are transgender or non-binary but still have female reproductive organs and hormones), LGBTQIA+, socio-economic status, and more impact whether someone receives accessible, affordable, adequate, and effective health care.

We will also explore how the lack of adequate medical care for girls, women, and those AFAB continues throughout their lifespan and greatly impacts all aspects of their lives. This lack of adequate, affirming medical attention leads to this natural hormonal experience negatively impacting “everything” in our lives.

The destabilization and loss process in menopause will be explored from various angles. What does it mean to no longer be of “child-bearing age”? Is that transition cause for celebration? Is it a tremendous loss? What does it currently mean to be a “crone”? We will explore how this role has changed over time and in various cultures.

The latest neuroscience research suggests that the loss of estrogen in the brain has major impacts on many bodily systems. What does it mean to go on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)? Some current research suggests that HRT is safe for up to ten years. We will examine why this protocol changed and what it means for our clients and ourselves.

We will also explore natural options for care and support during the various phases of menopause. “Have your fans at the ready!” Let’s spend the day talking about menopause and learning about what impacts our receiving affirming, effective medical care, including the fact that the average medical doctor receives only one hour-- in TOTAL—of formal training on menopause. You will leave this workshop knowing much more than when you arrived, knowledge that will help your clients and you on your journey.

Workshop Objectives

• Learn the three stages of menopause.
• Learn the 37 most common symptoms of menopause.
• Address how to help clients feel more stable in this process.
• Learn how culture impacts on menopause.
• Address the experience of gender and gender bias across the lifespan.
• Destigmatize menopause and encourage authentic, effective discussions.