Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause & What Can You Do About It

brought to you by the National Menopause Foundation

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Experts you'll learn from

Heather Hirsch

MD, MS, NCMP

Ingrid Harm-Ernandes

PT, WCS, BCB-PMD

Introduction 

Welcome to this learning series brought to you by the National Menopause Foundation. In this module we highlight a common, yet often under-discussed issue affecting many postmenopausal women. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is a comprehensive term that encapsulates a series of common symptoms arising from changes in the genitourinary tract, primarily due to the decline in estrogen levels during menopause. Understanding GSM is vital for improving the quality of life for many women navigating this natural phase of aging, as it empowers them to seek effective treatments and regain control over their symptoms.

By the end of this module, you will understand:

  • what Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause/GSM is; 
  • how to identify symptoms of GSM; and
  • treatment options for GSM, including the vital role of pelvic physical therapy

Presenting Experts:

Heather Hirsch, MD, MS, NCMP is an entrepreneur and US American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) board-certified internist, and the CEO of Health by Heather Hirsch LLC, a teaching and media company that serves to increase the education of laywomen and healthcare providers.

After completing advanced women’s health training at the Cleveland Clinic, she founded the menopause and midlife clinical at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital while serving as faculty at Harvard Medical School in 2020 and worked as the Chief Medical Innovation Officer at Midi Health, a digital telemedicine start-up.  She recently launched her private telemedicine-focused practice while co-founding a technology company seeking to revolutionize healthcare for millions of women. She is also a former assistant professor of medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Dr. Hirsch is also a Menopause Society (formerly NAMS) certified menopause practitioner and a fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH). 

Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, PT, WCS, BCB-PMD is a physical therapist who is board certified in Women’s Health (WCS) and Pelvic Floor Biofeedback and has been practicing for 40 years. She began specializing in women’s health more than 28 years ago.  

During her 20-year tenure at Duke University Health System, she treated a wide variety of pelvic patients in the Urogynecology and Physical Therapy (PT) clinics. In addition to her role as the Co-Director and a mentor for new Pelvic PTs in the Duke Women’s Health Physical Therapy Residency Program, she was responsible for the Women’s Health team program development and participated in Pelvic Floor Disorder Network (PFDN) research projects. 

As a pelvic health PT specialist, Ingrid has addressed a myriad of pelvic health conditions that dramatically impact women’s lives, such as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, pain with sex, prolapse, fecal incontinence, constipation, pregnancy and post-partum issues. She is the author of “The Musculoskeletal Mystery: How to solve your pelvic floor symptoms”. This book helps to better educate patients and practitioners about women’s bodies, pelvic health conditions they may suffer, and what pelvic physical therapy is all about. She is passionate about demystifying and destigmatizing this topic by providing individuals with the knowledge they need to advocate for themselves and get proper pelvic care.  

 

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