Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD, MBA, FACOG, is at the forefront of the women’s wellness and longevity movement. A board-certified OB/GYN and Chief Medical Officer, she’s making expert-led, accessible care the new standard. She is also the founder of Modern Meno, a global platform dedicated to empowering women through midlife and menopause with expert-led education, resources, and community. She’s the author of Generation M, the chart-topping book that’s challenging outdated views on aging and giving women the knowledge they need to take charge of their health. Known for her no-frills, straight-talking approach, Dr. Shepherd is a regular on Good Morning America and frequently appears on The Today Show, CNN, and LIVE with Kelly and Mark. Her expertise has also been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, and Women’s Health. She’s part of a growing movement of medical professionals and advocates bringing real expertise, clarity, and action to the conversation around women’s health.

This course examines the intersection of hormonal health, physical health, mental well-being, and relational functioning during midlife. Participants will explore the physiological and psychological changes associated with perimenopause and menopause and how these changes may influence mood, sleep, cognition, sexuality, identity, relationships, and overall quality of life. Drawing from current research and clinical practice in women’s health, menopause medicine, behavioral health, and longevity science, the course will provide an interdisciplinary framework for recognizing symptoms, improving assessment and communication, and supporting patients and families navigating midlife transitions.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:  

• Describe the physiological changes associated with perimenopause and menopause and explain how hormonal fluctuations and changes may intersect with mood, sleep, cognition, energy, sexuality, and relational well-being.
• Identify at least one common psychological and relational manifestations of the menopause transition, including changes in mood, anxiety, sleep, sexual health, self-perception, identity, intimacy, and communication within couples and families.
• Apply at least one interdisciplinary biopsychosocial framework to understanding midlife health that integrates reproductive endocrinology, mental health, behavioral science, relationship health, lifestyle medicine, and longevity medicine.
• Describe at least one evidence-informed approaches to supporting mental and relational well-being during midlife, including sleep, physical activity, resistance training, nutrition, stress regulation, social connection, sexual health, and appropriate medical evaluation.
• Explain current evidence regarding menopause hormone therapy and other treatment options, including potential benefits, limitations, contraindications, risks, and the importance of individualized clinical decision-making and shared decision-making.