Early program registration now open for Beta-Testers.
Beta program launches May 2024.
Join our Beta Team for the significantly discounted program price of $350.
Limited to 15 registrants.
Become a Certified Menstrual Health Educator (CME)
In 2015, The Society for Menstrual Research concluded that menstruation is the 5th vital sign. This means that along with temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate, practitioners should also be assessing menstrual health regularly as a window into the overall health of the body. Almost every cell in the human body has receptors for the sex hormones that are produced during the menstrual cycle - therefore, EVERY body process is affected by the health of the menstrual cycle.
As Pelvic Health Therapists acquire more direct access, it is vital that we are screening patients and clients for signs of serious health problems.
But how many of us were taught how to ask our patients and clients about their menstrual cycles, to know what is normal and what is not normal, to use the menstrual cycle as a screening tool to identify red flags, to treat the deficits we find within our scope of practice, and to refer out to appropriate allied health professionals when necessary?
By becoming a Certified Menstrual Health Educator, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to utilize menstruation as the 5th vital sign and to work with clients to optimize their cycle for better therapy outcomes and enhanced client quality of life.
As a Certified Menstrual Health Educator, you will also have the skills to offer education and coaching services outside of direct-client facing care, providing you with an additional income stream that can be transformed into a business.
Meet Your Program Guide, Dr. Julia Smeltz, PT, DPT, CAFS, RYT, CD
Dr. Julia has worked with countless clients within her private practice in Bethlehem, PA and across the world to help them find hope and healing on their pelvic health journey. With a doctorate degree, over 10 years of experience in the health and wellness field, and 5 years of experience providing online instruction in the field of Pelvic Health to a worldwide audience, she has both the extensive training and experience to bring you the first Menstrual Health Certification Course created specifically for Pelvic Health Therapists and Practitioners.
Dr. Julia has used the information included within this certification program to optimize her own menstrual health, as well as that of countless clients in her care utilizing myofascial release techniques, visceral mobilization, cycle tracking, and dietary and herbal support.
When not partnering with clients in the clinic or teaching online, she enjoys pilates, rowing crew, and being out in nature with her mini aussie puppy, Bhinid.
What is included in the CME?
- Fully online, video-based, self-led training
- No deadline to complete the certification
- 10 video-based modules
- Clinician reference sheets
- Client hand-outs with full-rights for distribution
- Menstrual health screening tools and assessments
- Infographics library with rights for redistribution to clients and use in presentations
- Certificate of completion with rights to use post-nominal letters "CME" to signify your expertise in the field
The CME helps you master menstrual health to increase client outcomes
Flexible Schedule
Set your own study schedule. New lessons will appear in your account when you complete the previous section so you can view them whenever is most convenient for you. The CME is a self-paced, fully online program.
Become Certified
After completing the program, you'll become a Certified Menstrual Health Educator with the rights to use the post-minimal "CME" to signify your expertise.
Learn Evidence-Based Approaches
This program is backed by evidence and clinical experience to ensure optimized outcomes.
Learn From Anywhere
This program can travel anywhere your laptop or tablet can. The CME is open to licensed Pelvic Health Therapists in any part of the world.
Get Referrals
After completing the program, you will be able to add your name to a directory so new clients can easily find you and fellow colleagues can refer to you.
Grow your Business
Market yourself as a Certified Menstrual Health Educator. Use your skills to grow your own practice, create another income vehicle, or create a whole new online business.
What will I learn in the CME?
- Module 1: The Menstrual Cycle As The 5th Vital Sign
- Understand the basic role and functions of the menstrual cycle
- Identify what the menstrual cycle can tell us about overall health and vitality
- Determine why Pelvic Health Therapists should be screening the menstrual cycle with every client as a vital sign of health and vitality
- Module 2: The Hormonal building Blocks of Menstruation, The Cycle Phases, and Charting The Cycle
- Recognize the role of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone for overall body health and vitality
- Understand the HPO Axis and its role in creating and regulating sex hormones
- Identify the biophysical hormone fluctuations that rhythmically occur during the menstrual cycle
- Learn the foundational concepts of charting the menstrual cycle to identify ovulatory cycle, anovulatory cycles, and hormone imbalances that can lead to symptoms throughout the body
- Module 3: Menstruation Through The Life Cycle
- Explore the changes in the menstrual cycle through the life cycle
- Understand the common irregularities in menarche that normally present as the body learns to regulate menstrual cycles
- Determine normal expectations for cycle changes postpartum and while breastfeeding
- Explore the changes in the menstrual cycle during peri-menopause leading up to menopause
- Module 4: The Effects of Birth Control on The Menstrual Cycle
- Understand the effects of synthetic sex hormones on the menstrual cycle and overall body
- Identify hormonal and non-hormonal birth control options that are available within the US market today
- Interpret the mechanism of action of each class of hormonal birth control , including pills, patches, injectables, and IUDs
- Module 5: Identifying Markers of a Healthy vs Unhealthy Menstrual Cycle
- Identify the markers of a healthy menstrual cycle, including cycle length and regularity, and period duration, color, and volume
- Identify the markers of an unhealthy menstrual cycle, and associated differential diagnoses that inform clinical care and next step referrals
- Module 6: Clinical Management of Common Period Dysfunctions
- Identify the most common conditions affecting menstrual and reproductive health, including endometriosis, PCOS, adenomyosis, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, PMS, PMDD, and uterine fibroids
- Explain the underlying cause of these common period dysfunctions
- Recognize the symptoms associated with these common period conditions
- Discern the role of Pelvic Health Therapists in helping clients manage these conditions
- Module 7: Exercising With The Menstrual Cycle and Considerations for Menstruating Athletes
- Guide active clients in how to support their menstrual cycles with exercise types, intensities, and intentions that align with each phase of their cycles
- Identify red flags for RED-S in menstruating athletes, the role of Pelvic Health Therapists in treating this condition, and referrals to allied healthcare professionals
- Discern how anovulatory cycles and heavy menstrual flows may be markers of underlying conditions affecting bone density, cardiac health, sport performance. focus, recovery time, and bowel and bladder health in athletes
- Module 8: Essential Nutrition Considerations and Creating With the Cycle
- Explore how the 3 macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrates) play an important role in hormone balance and menstrual health
- Learn the essential nutrient needs for each phase of the menstrual cycle and provide clients with evidence-based guidelines for dietary support during each phase
- Discern how the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle align with the 4 seasons of nature and influence our creative endeavors in life and business
- Module 9: Lifestyle Factors Affecting the Menstrual Cycle
- Understand the effects of chronic stress on the HPA axis and hormone health, specifically the physiological effects on fertility, and how to assist clients in transforming chronic stress
- Discover the importance quality sleep in relation to optimal functioning of the pituitary gland and hormone production, and be able to guide clients in strategies for improved sleep hygiene
- Explore how community support impacts our menstrual cycle experience and how cultures throughout the world celebrate and support menstruators
- Module 10: Assessment Tools and Strategies for Pelvic Health Therapists
- Fill your toolbox with validated outcome measures to assess clients with menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and pre-menstrual syndrome
This program is for you if:
- You are a Pelvic Health Therapist who wants to how to assess clients using all 5 vital signs
- You're not sure what to do with clients experiencing Pelvic Pain, PMDD, endometriosis, or PCOS
- You know that tracking the menstrual cycle can provide TONS of information about reproductive health, fertility, and drivers for pelvic health dysfunctions, but you don't know where to start tracking your own cycle and teaching your clients track
- You have read a lot of books about menstrual health, but aren't sure how to apply the information clinically
- You are looking for a new way to transform your clinical practice, start a new income stream, or begin an entirely new online business providing menstrual health education
- You are deeply passionate about this work and want to make a professional move in this space
- You want to help the 50% of the world population come into a deeper knowing and understanding of their bodies to experience more love, trust, and body autonomy
Perks of Registering as a Beta Tester for the CME Program
- Be the first to get access to the CME program and begin working towards your certification before the program is open to the world
- Your feedback in the program leads to valuable insights for our course creators. See your suggestions come to life!
- Get access to the CME program as the steepest discounted price that will EVER be offered
Beta registration is only available to 15 participants. First come first serve. Save your spot in the Beta Program by providing your name and email address. Access to the course will be automatically granted to you on May 1. Instructions to access the course will be emailed with which you register.
Register for the Beta Program.
Available for a limited time. Spots are limited.
