The Menopause Essentials
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 |
Find session details, registration information and recordings on the new webpage:
Learn more and register
Recordings
Can't attend live? Lectures will be recorded, with on-demand access available for up to three months after the event.
Note that CME credits are only available to participants who attend live. Watching recordings does not qualify as an accredited group learning activity. However, you may be eligible to claim self-learning credits after watching the recordings. Learn how to claim self-learning credits.
| Time | Presentation | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 8:10 a.m. | Opening Remarks | |
| 8:15 a.m. | Perimenopause Clinical Challenges: Managing Symptoms and Contraception Explore how to recognize and assess perimenopause in women who are still menstruating. Learn when hormone testing is useful and how to make individualized decisions about symptom management, hormone therapy, and contraceptive needs. | Shafeena Premji MD, MHA, CCFP, FCFP, 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 | ||
| Early Bird By December 5 | Regular After December 5 | |
| Delegates | $199 | $249 |
| BC Residents & Students | $69 | $79 |
“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
Menopause Fall Virtual Series
2.0 Mainpro+ / MOC Section 1 credits per session
Looking to build on your menopause knowledge? This three-part virtual series dives deeper into topics requested by past Menopause Essentials participants, with practical guidance for navigating common and complex clinical scenarios. Register for individual sessions or the full series. Can't attend live? Session recordings are available to watch on demand.
Menopause Essentials Online: Building Confidence in Care
2.0 Mainpro+ / MOC Section 3 credits
Build your confidence in assessing and managing menopause-related concerns with this self-directed online course. Explore four interactive modules, supported by take-home resources and a discussion board.
The Division of Continuing Professional Development, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine (UBC CPD) is fully accredited by the Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Committee (CACME) to provide CPD credits for physicians. This activity is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by UBC CPD. You may claim a maximum of 6.0 hours (credits are automatically calculated). This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by UBC CPD for up to 6.0 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits. Each physician should claim only those credits accrued through participation in the activity.