Beyond the Joint: The PT’s Role in Menopause Hormone Therapy Education

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) is a foundational intervention with profound, multi-system implications relevant to physical therapy (PT) practice, extending beyond its primary use for vasomotor symptoms. MHT significantly impacts bone and muscle health, cardiovascular risk, and urogenital/sexual health.

Menopause-trained physical therapists are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between medical prescription and functional application. By utilizing early screening and evidence-based patient education on both hormonal and non-hormonal options, they empower midlife patients. This enables patients to have informed discussions with their medical providers about treatment options that will augment the exercise and lifestyle interventions prescribed by the PT. This proactive approach is especially crucial while the "window of opportunity" for initiating MHT remains open during the menopause transition.

Learning Objectives

1. Define the PT's Scope as an educator and collaborator with patients in providing accurate, evidence-based information regarding MHT and make referrals to other menopause-trained healthcare professionals.
2. Identify who may benefit from MHT: Identify populations who may benefit from MHT or nonhormone medical treatment to augment physical therapy interventions through screening for individual risks.
3. Address Patient Fears: Validate concerns about hormone therapy and reframe with new evidence on effective, safe MHT and non-hormonal treatment options.
4. Incorporate Core Communication Strategies with patients by translating evidence on MHT to improve function to meet patient-specific PT goals.

About the Speaker

Karen Litos, PT, DPT

Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy, Emeritus

Dr. Karen Litos has over 25 years of expertise in women's health physical therapy as a clinician, educator and advocate that includes menopause care and education.

A recognized leader in PT education, Dr. Litos is dedicated to sharing her specialized knowledge nationally and globally through public speaking and education for both professionals and the public. Her commitment to advancing the field is highlighted by her role as co-author of "Pre-Menopause Matters," a ground-breaking comprehensive continuing education course for PTs and other providers specific to evidence-based menopause care. Furthering this mission, she is the co-owner of Snowden & Litos LLC, an online continuing education company focused on providing evidence-based menopause education to clinicians worldwide.

Dr. Litos's foundation in women's health is strong; she is an emeritus board-certified clinician in women's health and holds specialized certifications in pelvic health and obstetrics PT. Her clinical background includes founding "No Mom Left Behind PT," a clinic exclusively dedicated to women's health through the lifespan in the Greater Lansing, Michigan area. She is a longtime volunteer contributing to course content for the CAPP OB courses and served as a national and international instructor for PTs.
Dr. Litos is a member of leading organizations in menopause research and education: The Menopause Society and the International Menopause Society.