Topic:  Perimenopause

This unit covers the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of psychiatric symptoms in the menopausal transition.  Self-study segments include epidemiology, hormone replacement therapy, and alternative treatments, and the classroom activity is a detailed case conference including video interviews between patient and psychiatrist.  The media module concerns media portrayals of hormone replacement therapy, including information on natural or bioidentical hormones.

The recommended order of modules is:

Self-Study: Epidemiology
Classroom: Perimenopause Case Conference
Self-Study: Hormone Replacement Therapy
Self-Study: Alternative Treatments
Media Module

Objectives

  • Learn the appropriate questions to identify whether a woman is experiencing premenopause, perimenopause, or post-menopause and be able to counsel her on her risk of psychiatric illness during these times.

  • Understand the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical characteristics of the depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and insomnia during the menopausal transition.

  • Identify vasomotor and other physical symptoms of perimenopause that may contribute to psychiatric illness.

Self-Study

Classroom

This module focuses on teaching clinicians how to identify risk factors specific to the perimenopausal period, how to ask about relevant social stressors, how to use appropriate scales for evaluation of vasomotor symptoms, and how to make appropriate treatment recommendations for both psychiatric and physical symptoms.

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Launch Trainee

This module explores the interface between the media and reproductive psychiatry around the topic of “bioidentical” hormones.

Launch Trainee
For additional in-depth education on managing menopause, please click here.