The Menopause Essentials
Overview
The Menopause Essentials returns on Friday, February 5, 2027!
Building on the success of last year’s conference, the 2027 program will revisit key areas of menopause care while expanding into new and emerging topics.
| ✓ Practical, evidence-based guidance | ✓ A focused, one-day program |
| ✓ Advice for common and complex cases | ✓ More time for Q&A |
| ✓ Resources for managing patient questions | ✓ Join live or watch the recordings later |
Agenda
Friday, February 5, 2027
All times are in Pacific Time. Titles are subject to change.
| Time | Presentation | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 8:10 a.m. | Opening Remarks | |
| 8:15 a.m. | Perimenopause in Primary Care: Common Clinical Challenges Work through common clinical challenges that arise during perimenopause, using practical cases from primary care. Topics will include recognizing perimenopause, managing common symptoms, transitioning from contraception to MHT, and knowing when to investigate or initiate treatment. | Shafeena Premji MD, CCFP, MSCP |
| 8:45 a.m. | Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Prescribing Basics Review the fundamentals of prescribing menopausal hormone therapy through practical, case-based examples. Learn how to select formulations, routes and doses, assess benefits and risks, monitor treatment, and avoid common prescribing mistakes. | Petra Selke MD, FRCS(C), FACOG |
| 9:15 a.m. | Abnormal Bleeding & Gynecologic Assessment Review a practical approach to abnormal bleeding during perimenopause and menopause, including bleeding in patients using MHT. Learn what is expected, what requires further investigation, and when to use ultrasound, endometrial biopsy, or other assessment. | Brian Fitzsimmons MD, FRCSC |
| 9:45 a.m. | 15-Minute Break | ||
| 10:00 a.m. | Practical Management of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Review practical approaches to diagnosing and managing GSM, with a focus on common urogenital symptoms and recurrent UTIs. Explore treatment options and selection, with considerations for patients with a history of breast cancer. | Julie van Schalkwyk MD, FRCSC |
| 10:30 a.m. | Addressing Sexual Concerns in Midlife Explore a practical, biopsychosocial approach to low desire and other sexual concerns in midlife. Review psychological strategies, CBT, pharmacologic options, and resources for supporting patients when specialized sexual health services are not available. | Lori Brotto PhD, R Psych |
| 11:00 a.m. | The Evidence Behind Testosterone Therapy in Menopause Review the current evidence for testosterone therapy in menopause and which patients may benefit. Get practical guidance on prescribing, dosing, monitoring, adverse effects, and setting realistic expectations with patients. | Jeanne Bouteaud MDCM, FRCSC, MSCP |
| 11:30 a.m. | Menopause Through an Indigenous Lens: Culture, Identity, Community and Wellbeing Consider menopause as a life transition and the different ways Indigenous patients may understand and manage symptoms in midlife. Discuss culturally safe care, the role of community and culture in wellness, and how traditional and Western approaches can coexist. | Sarah Connors ND |
| 12:00 p.m. | 40-Minute Lunch Break | ||
| 12:40 p.m. | Weight Management and GLP-1 Therapy in Menopause Review practical approaches to weight management during menopause and the role of GLP-1 therapies. Discuss patient assessment, treatment selection, safety, potential interactions, and common questions and misconceptions about these medications. | Sasha High MD, FRCPC, Dip.ABOM |
| 1:10 p.m. | Midlife Bone Health: A Primary Care Approach Review the essentials of protecting bone health during midlife and menopause. Learn practical approaches to risk assessment, screening, prevention and treatment, including where menopause and MHT fit within osteoporosis care. | Kerstin Gustafson MD, MSc., FRCSC, NCMP |
| 1:40 p.m. | Complementary Therapies in Menopause: Evidence, Safety and Practical Guidance Review the evidence and safety of complementary therapies commonly used for menopause symptoms, including behavioural, herbal, nutraceutical and other approaches. Learn how to assess these therapies, discuss risks and benefits with patients, and integrate reasonable options into evidence-based clinical care. | Randi Brown ND, MSCP |
| 2:10 p.m. | 10-Minute Break | ||
| 2:20 p.m. | Menopausal Hormone Therapy After Age 60 Explore how to approach patients over age 60 who are considering starting, restarting or continuing MHT. Review how age, time since menopause, persistent symptoms, and changing health risks can inform individualized treatment decisions. | Kelsey Mills MD, FRCSC, MSCP |
| 2:50 p.m. | Menopause Horizons: Key Updates and Emerging Developments Review new and emerging developments in menopause care that clinicians should have on their radar for 2027. This rapid update will highlight evolving evidence, guideline changes, emerging therapies and areas of ongoing clinical discussion. | Michelle Jacobson MD, FRCSC, MHSc, MSCP |
| 3:05 p.m. | End of Main Conference | ||
| Optional Post-Conference Session | ||
| 3:05 p.m. | BC Provincial Menopause and Perimenopause Primary Care Pathway: Demonstration and Open Question Period Take a guided tour of the updated BC Provincial Menopause and Perimenopause Primary Care Pathway and see how the tool can support assessment and management in practice. | Tracy Monk MD, CM |
| 3:20 p.m. | Conference Concludes | ||
Cost details
| The Menopause Essentials | Early Bird By December 5 | Regular After December 5 |
| Delegates | $199 | $249 |
| BC Residents & Students | $69 | $79 |
All fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to 5% GST.
Registration includes: Live access to the virtual session, online course materials, and on-demand access to the recordings for up to 3 months.
Resident and Student Rates: Available to eligible BC medical residents and students currently training in a regulated health profession in British Columbia. View detailed eligibility requirements.
Cancellations: No refunds or transfers unless cancellation is submitted in writing to @email by Monday, February 1, 2027. A $25 cancellation fee will apply.
Testimonials
“Excellent conference — short, snappy sessions filled with tons of useful information to take back to my practice.”
“I think this might be the best medical conference I have ever attended.”
— 2026 Participant Feedback
Add-On courses
Menopause: Fall Virtual Series
Three focused sessions. Practical guidance for clinical practice.
You asked—we listened. This three-part evening virtual series explores topics that participants from the last Menopause Essentials conference requested additional guidance on:
Testosterone and Sexual Health
Thur. October 1, 2026 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. PCT
This session has ended, however you can still register to access the recordings.
Navigate the complexities of sexual health in peri- and postmenopausal patients. Review the evidence for testosterone therapy, including who may benefit, prescribing, monitoring, and managing expectations. Explore non-hormonal treatments and psychological approaches that support sexual function and desire.
Jeanne Bouteaud, MDCM, MSc, MSCP
Obstetrician-Gynecologist in Montreal, QC
Testosterone Use in 2026: Who, What, When and How
Miriam Driscoll, MD, FCRP(C)
Psychiatrist and Sexual Medicine Physician in Vancouver, BC
Low Desire – It's Not Just Your Hormones: What to Know, What to Ask and How to Help
Co-presenting with Dr. Carolin Klein
Carolin Klein, PhD, L.Psych
Registered Psychologist in Vancouver, BC
Low Desire – It's Not Just Your Hormones: What to Know, What to Ask and How to Help
Co-presenting with Dr. Miriam Driscoll
Hormone Therapy
Wed. November 4, 2026 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. PCT
2.0 Mainpro+ / MOC Section 1 credits
2.0 Mainpro+ / MOC Section 1 credits
Build confidence in navigating hormone therapy throughout perimenopause and menopause. Explore practical prescribing, hormone selection, dosing, monitoring and contraindications. Unpack practical challenges like navigating provincial coverage, bleeding management, addressing contraceptive needs, and transitioning patients from contraceptives to MHT.
Kelsey Mills, MD, FRCSC, MSCP
Obstetrician-Gynaecologist in Victoria, BC
Practical Prescribing in Perimenopause and Menopause
Petra Selke, MD, FRCSC
Gynaecologist in Vancouver, BC
Hormone Testing and Bleeding Management
Shafeena Premji, MD, CCFP, MSCP
Family Physician & Certified Menopause Practitioner in Calgary, AB
Contraception-Specific Considerations
Special Populations
Wed. December 2, 2026 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. PCT
2.0 Mainpro+ / MOC Section 1 credits
2.0 Mainpro+ / MOC Section 1 credits
Navigate menopause care for patients with complex medical histories and unique clinical considerations. Address challenging clinical scenarios with confidence, including individuals with breast cancer history or elevated cancer risk, cardiovascular and thrombotic risk, premature or surgical menopause, and more.
Omolayo Famuyide, MD, CCFP, MSCP, BSc (Pharm)
Certified Menopause Practitioner in Winnipeg, MB
Cardiometabolic Risks in Menopause
Michelle Jacobson, MD, FRCSC, MHSc, MSCP
Obstetrician-Gynaecologist in Toronto, ON
Breast and Other Hereditary Risk Factors in Menopause
Kerstin Gustafson, MD, MSc., FRCSC, NCMP
Obstetrician-Gynaecologist in White Rock, BC
POI and Early Surgical Menopause
Attend just the sessions that align with your learning needs—or join us for the full series.
More in this series
Menopause Essentials Online: Building Confidence in Care
Four self-directed interactive online modules.
This course is designed to equip you with practical knowledge, clinical insights, and tools to confidently assess, discuss, and support menopause-related concerns in everyday practice.
Menopause Essentials Online: Building Confidence in Care
2.0 Mainpro+ / MOC Section 3 credits
The course is divided into 4 modules, Take-Home Resources, and Discussion Board. The 4 modules are divided into the following topics:
Demystifying Menopause
Build a foundation in the stages, symptoms, and clinical features of menopause, including early menopause and primary ovarian insufficiency.
Recognition and Assessment
Develop the confidence to initiate menopause conversations, recognize clinical presentations, and select appropriate assessment and diagnostic strategies.
Hormonal Treatment
Explore evidence-informed approaches to menopausal hormone therapy, including treatment options, formulation selection, benefits, risks, and contraindications.
Non-Hormonal Treatment
Explore evidence-informed non-hormonal approaches to managing menopause-related symptoms, from lifestyle and pharmacologic treatments to emerging trends and common myths.
Key Details
Time and date
-
Virtual Conference
Full day conference (Feb. 5) with optional 3-part evening series (Oct. 1, Nov. 4, Dec. 2)
5.75 Mainpro+ / MOC Section 1
Health Promotion, Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Trauma-Informed Care, Cultural Safety and Humility, and Anti-Racism
Women's Health
Allied Health Professional
Family Physician
Health-Care Teams
Medical Resident
Nurse
Nurse Practitioner
Specialist Physician
Community Health Centre
Primary Care Office/Walk-in Clinic
Rural
Specialist Clinic/Office
Additional Learning Activities
Overview
Participants will explore topics that are often overlooked or stigmatized, gaining tools to provide more inclusive, affirming, and effective care.
Overview
Advancing menopause care with practical tools to help primary care providers confidently assess and support menopause‑related concerns.
Overview
Missed Practical Perimenopause 101? Watch on demand through Feb. 5, 2027. Covers diagnosis, MHT, prescribing, symptoms, Q&A and more.