About The Course
Delve into the intricate relationship between menopause and depression by first understanding their roles in triggering perimenopausal depression. Next, explore the pathogenesis of menopause and identify clinical features of perimenopause depression. Following this, develop methods for accurate assessment and diagnosis. Additionally, discuss various treatment strategies, including antidepressants, hormone therapies, and menopausal hormonal treatment, to manage perimenopause depression effectively. Enriched with case studies and expert insights, you will ultimately gain practical skills to provide comprehensive care in navigating the complexities of perimenopausal depression.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is suitable for:
- Psychiatrists
- General Practitioners (GPs)
- Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (MHNPs)
- Psychologists
- Mental health professionals
- Clinicians working in or expanding into psychiatry and mental health care
Accreditation Information:
- Psychiatry Accreditation: This course is available for self-accreditation with the RANZCP and other relevant psychiatric and mental health organisations.
- GP Accreditation: The course is RACGP accredited for general practitioners.
What You'll Learn
- Define menopause and perimenopause and discuss their relationships to the development of depression.
- Explore the clinical features and pathogenesis of menopause and perimenopause.
- Identify how to correctly diagnose perimenopausal depression.
- Discuss treatment strategies in perimenopausal depression using antidepressants, hormone replacement therapies and menopausal hormonal treatment.
- Explore differential diagnoses as well as complex cPTSD and menopause through a Case Study: Jenny.
- Discuss emerging treatment approaches, and troubleshoot current challenges around using menopause hormonal therapy (MHT).
Course Programme
8 Modules | 5 hours total length
- Physiology of Menopausal Transition
- Stages of Menopausal Transition
- Central Nervous System Changes in Menopause
- Epidemiology
- Understanding Perimenopausal Depression
- Symptoms of Perimenopausal Depression
- Comorbidities
- Steps to assess Perimenopausal Depression effectively
- Specific Symptoms
- Diagnosing Perimenopausal Depression
- Recognise Comorbidities and Differential Diagnoses
- Conduct Medical Evaluation
- Application Through a Case Study
- Managing Perimenopausal Depression
- Antidepressants
- Treatment Selection - Major Depressive Disorder in Menopause
- Symptoms of Depression
- Algorithm - Menopausal Hormonal Treatment (MHT)
- Recommendations - Menopausal Hormonal Treatment (MHT)
- Genetics - The APOE gene and the Brain
- Tibolone as an adjunctive treatment for perimenopausal depression
- Non-Pharmacological Strategies for Perimenopausal Depression
- The Current Treatment Landscape for Menopausal Depression
- Application Through Case Studies
- Relapse cPTSD and Perimenopause: Unraveling Hidden Psychopathology
- Diagnosing Perimenopausal Depression - Three key elements
- Questions and Answer Session on Perimenopausal Depression
- Knowledge Check
Course Description
Navigating Perimenopausal Depression: Insights and Strategies
Women experiencing menopause are at a greater risk of developing depression. Symptoms often mirror psychiatric manifestations, complicating accurate diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, our comprehensive course delves into the intricate relationship between menopause and depression, particularly focusing on the nuances of perimenopausal depression. Spanning over five hours, participants embark on an explorative journey through clinical features, pathogenesis, and the correlation with depressive disorders.
First, the learning journey starts with clear explanations of menopause and perimenopause, illustrating how they connect to perimenopausal depression. Next, delve into the complexities of hormonal fluctuations and how they can trigger or exacerbate depressive symptoms. Consequently, the course sheds light on the biological changes that contribute to perimenopausal depression, equipping participants with the skills to identify its clinical features and diagnose it accurately.
A vital part of this course is the treatment strategies, featuring in-depth discussions encompassing antidepressants, hormone replacement therapies, and menopausal hormonal treatments. Moreover, the course emphasises tailored approaches that consider individual physiological and psychological needs. Additionally, alternative therapies are explored, providing a comprehensive view of effective management strategies.
Depression and Menopause: A Practical Guide
This course is enriched with excerpts from a recent webinar by Professor Kulkarni, thereby enhancing comprehension and aiding in the formulation and diagnosis of patients with suspected menopause-related depression. First, engage with expert-led modules, informative videos, and interactive activities that span from understanding the physiology of menopausal transition to effectively assessing and managing perimenopausal depression.
Next, treatment strategies form a core component of the curriculum. In this section, the course offers an in-depth discussion on the use of antidepressants, hormone replacement therapies, and menopausal hormonal treatments in managing perimenopause depression. It further recognises the need for a tailored approach in perimenopausal depression treatment, considering the unique physiological and psychological needs of each individual.
Participants are guided through emerging treatment approaches and are enabled to address current challenges surrounding menopause hormonal therapy (MHT). Equipped with practical skills and comprehensive knowledge, learners emerge prepared to provide holistic care to women navigating the complexities of perimenopausal depression.
Depression and Menopause: A Practical Guide is an essential course for healthcare professionals, therapists, and individuals interested in understanding the complexities of perimenopause depression. It offers valuable insights and practical strategies to improve the mental health and overall wellbeing of women navigating this challenging condition.

While Academy members enjoy exclusive access to a range of courses and webinars (including this course) with their annual membership, we’re pleased to offer you the option to purchase the ‘Integrative Perspectives on Women’s Mental Health: Hormone-Related Mood Disorders Across the Female Life Cycle’ as an individual curriculum.
[Click here] for more information on the Integrative Perspectives on Women’s Mental Health: Hormone-Related Mood Disorders Across the Female Life Cycle.
This Comprehensive Curriculum Consists of 3 courses:
- Depression and Menopause: A Practical Guide (5 CPD hrs) – An interactive online course.
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) – A Practical Guide (4 CPD hrs) – An interactive online course.
- Practical Prescribing of Hormone Therapy for Clinicians: Managing Mood Disorders Across the Female Life Cycle -on-demand webinar with Dr Ceri Cashell (1.5 CPD hrs)
Click on the relevant links below to take advantage of this offer:
For Psychiatrists: Women’s Mental Health Curriculum for Psychiatrists
For General Practitioners: Women’s Mental Health Curriculum for General Practitioners (GPs)
Learn the clinical features of perimenopause depression and various treatment strategies, such as antidepressants, therapies, and alternative treatment options.




