Menstruation and Pelvic Health

Course overview

The Menstrual Cycle is one of the most natural of all human processes experienced by half of the world's population. There are many challenging aspects of the Menstrual Experience to be managed and many positive aspects to be celebrated, but social stigma and taboo can make it difficult to make changes and find solutions. Based on years of experience as a family medicine physician working in women's health, Nicholas Gaffga, MD, FAAFP, MPH, developed this course to be a practical and engaging forum that fosters discussion and sharing of information so that pelvic floor therapists can make changes in how they care for patients who have a Menstrual Cycle. Teaming up with Dr. Amy Meehan, PT, DPT, MTC, an experienced pelvic floor physical therapist, educator, and business owner, provides a course that empowers pelvic floor practitioners to provide care to their patients on every day of the month. Updated based on feedback from previous participants and exciting advances in the field, this continuing education course combines pre-course video lectures and live remote lectures via Zoom to explore practical and interesting menstrual topics. In Part 1, Cultural Aspects of the Menstrual Experience, topics include why it can be so challenging to talk about periods, what is missed when periods are difficult, and the highly elusive but valuable Positive Aspects of the Menstrual Experience. In Part 2, Menstrual Structures and Processes, topics include the hormones, anatomical structures, and physiological processes that make up a "normal" Menstrual Cycle, including the HPO Axis that regulates the cycle and the hormones and organs involved in preparing the uterus for one of the body's most remarkable functions. In Part 3, Menstrual Symptoms and Disorders, a wide variety of symptoms are discussed, such as dysmenorrhea, heavy bleeding, off-cycle spotting, emotional concerns, and challenges managing vaginal discharge. Common Menstrual Disorders such as premenstrual disorders, endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, and fibroids are also discussed. In Part 4, Menstrual Interventions, topics include non-hormonal, non-prescription, and non-surgical interventions to improve the Menstrual Experience of patients, as well as the use of a variety of interventions in a holistic manner to help patients make meaningful changes. In the live remote session, Dr. Meehan demonstrates yoga and stretching poses that can help patients at various points throughout the Menstrual Cycle. Demonstrations also include insertion and removal techniques, absorptive and collection capacities, pros and cons, and care and maintenance of a wide variety of disposable and reusable Menstrual Products.