Menopause & the Brain and Pain

Menopause is more than a hormonal shift—it’s a neurological and psychological transition that reshapes cognition, mood, and how pain is experienced. This presentation explores the brain-based mechanisms behind menopausal changes, including the roles of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in neuroplasticity, neurotransmitter balance, and pain modulation. We’ll also examine the psychological impact of ageism on sexual self-concept, pleasure, and body image—highlighting how these narratives influence both mental health and physical symptoms. Participants will learn how interdisciplinary collaboration between mental health providers, pelvic health specialists, and medical clinicians can support cognitive clarity, emotional regulation, and embodied pleasure in midlife and beyond.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify how menopausal hormone fluctuations impact brain function, mood regulation, and pain perception.
2. Describe interdisciplinary strategies that integrate mental health, medical, and physical therapy approaches to support cognitive and emotional well-being during menopause while addressing the psychological effects of ageism on sexuality and body image.

About the Speaker

Kayna Cassard, MA, LMFT

Kayna Cassard, LMFT, is a licensed clinician, sex therapist, and educator specializing in the psychological and relational aspects of pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction. Her work in human sexuality began in 2006, and her early experience as a pelvic pain patient highlighted the absence of cohesive, multidisciplinary care—informing her ongoing focus on trauma-informed, integrative models of sexual health treatment.

Kayna completed her Master’s in Clinical Psychology and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, focusing her clinical and academic work on the intersection of neuroscience, somatic psychotherapy, and sexual wellness. Over the past two decades, she has presented for organizations including the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS), the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), the Sexual Health Alliance, and UCLA. Her professional contributions have also been featured in CNN, NPR, Cosmopolitan, and Self Magazine.

She is the author of Arousal, Answered: An Expert’s Guide to Authentic Pleasure and Liberating Sex (Bloomsbury, 2026), which translates complex psychophysiological and relational concepts into accessible frameworks for both clinicians and clients seeking a new model for understanding sexual arousal and pleasure.

Through her group practice, Kayna and her team provide trauma-informed psychotherapy, professional consulting, and specialized intensive weekends for individuals and couples addressing sexual pain and anxiety. The center also offers online courses that integrate education, self-regulation tools, and relational guidance for those navigating the impact of pelvic pain. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based interventions to bridge the gap between psychological, medical, and somatic care for sexual well-being.