Educate - Engage - Empower
Fertility Appreciation Collaborative to Teach The Science
Educate - Engage - Empower
Fertility Appreciation Collaborative to Teach The Science
Learn with FACTS
FACTS offers sample sessions for each part of our multi-part Professional CME Course, which can be purchased for $30 each. If you find them valuable to your learning and practice, you can purchase the corresponding part or the entire course for AAFP-approved prescribed CME credit. (Samples are not available for CME credits at this time.)
In Part A participants will survey modern evidence based FABMs, including the research underlying the development of the different methods, their effectiveness rates to prevent pregnancy, and the benefits and challenges of using each method.
Describe how hormonal contraceptives work & articulate the associated side effects.
Recognize and describe how the length of the menstrual cycle and biomarkers may be altered, and how this can lead to decreased fecundity after discontinuation of OCPs.
Sympto-thermal methods (STM) uses a crosscheck of observations of cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and the cervix to determine times of fertility and infertility during a woman’s cycle. With basal body temperature (BBT) methods, users may prevent pregnancy by avoiding intercourse until a certain amount of time after BBT shift has occured.
Part B focuses on the role of FABMs to address infertility and early pregnancy loss, and on the availability of apps marketed to help people avoid pregnancy.
Understand the definition of infertility and how it can be considered a symptom as opposed to a diagnosis. Discuss the basic approach of artificial reproductive technologies in addressing infertility. Present an alternative approach, consistent with basic scientific principles, to truly treat infertility.
A male factor contributes to infertility in approximately 50% of couples who fail to conceive. This presentation provides an overview of the different make factors that can lead to infertility and steps that the primary care clinician can take to diagnose and treat common causes of make infertility.
In Part C participants will learn how internal hormone shifts result in observable external signs, or biomarkers, that women can learn to use to chart their cycles and monitor their health.
Perimenopause is a period of physical changes and uncertainty brought about by fluctuation of a woman’s hormones. Learn how FABMs can help women understand and monitor their cycles during this time of transition.
Understand the physiology and initial fertility signs in postpartum phrase. Review the use of varying FABM methods to monitor for return of fertility. Identify signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and appropriate treatment options. Discuss other health conditions related to postpartum time and treatment options.
Part D connects the science of endocrinology to core concepts of FABMs, which may be used to diagnose and manage common women’s health conditions, including abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common symptom that can be identified by charting the female cycle. This lecture will differentiate between normal and abnormal uterine bleeding and discuss how FABMs facilitate more targeted assessment and treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding.
During the reproductive years, ovulation can serve as a sign of health. Normal menstrual patterns do not guarantee that ovulation is occurring since it has been shown that normal length cycles may be anovulatory. For this reason, the use of biomarkers that help women to identify ovulation is essential.
In Part E participants will gain a greater understanding of the common female health conditions that can impact fertility and the female cycle.
During the reproductive years, ovulation can serve as a sign of health. Normal menstrual patterns do not guarantee that ovulation is occurring since it has been shown that normal length cycles may be anovulatory. For this reason, the use of biomarkers that help women to identify ovulation is essential. This is knowledge that every woman and every medical professional should have.
Endometriosis is a disorder characterized by menstrual irregularities and serve pain that affects one in then women and may increase their risk of infertility.
Learn how FABMs can aid in the diagnosis of this common disease beginning in adolescence
In Part F participants will obtain an overview of the technology available to track the female cycle and gain critical thinking skills that will allow them to evaluate app quality.
Describe the rating criteria developed to evaluate fertility awareness apps intended to be used by couples to prevent pregnancy. Discuss the difference between apps that predict the fertile window and apps that do not. Identify and recommend the highest quality apps based on their accuracy.
Identify new clinically-validated fertility monitors for quantitative fertility monitoring. Compare strengths and weaknesses of the various monitors. Understand how to apply use of these monitors in FABMs.
In Part G participants will learn how aspects of nutrition, obesity and weight, exercise and physical activity, sleep and limiting certain environmental exposures can affect menstrual cycle patterns and fertility, as well as all play a role in overall health.
Discuss the impact of sleep apnea in pregnancy on the health of the mother, as well as the child. Understand the interplay between prenatal insomnia and perinatal depression/anxiety and discuss treatment options. Identify the association between sleep abnormalities and changes in menstrual cycle.
Describe key components of egg quality. Outline the normal process of egg development and maturation. Define the window of opportunity to improve egg quality. Discuss some potential ways to improve egg quality.
In Part H participants will dive deeper into the broader medical application and integration of FABMS through Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM).
Identify methods of applying RRM to address infertility and promote healthy term live births in the context of a primary care practice. Discuss the characteristics, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes for couples treated for infertility. Analyze the relationship between live birth success rates and patient factors, such as age and BMI.
Analyze pregnancy rates in subfertile couples receiving restorative reproductive medicine evaluation and treatment. State patient characteristics that impact pregnancy rates with restorative reproductive medicine for subfertility. Identify the principles of registry-based clinical research, in the context of reproductive medicine, including ART registries.
In Part I participants will learn restorative techniques that incorporate complementary and alternative treatments to enhance reproductive health outcomes based on clinical research.
Understand the neuroendocrine system and its role in reproduction. Explain the relevance of the immune systems to female fertility. State evaluations to consider for reproductive health challenges.
Content will focus on methodologies to address reproductive health concerns ranging from anovulation to migraines to endometriosis, and how integrative strategies can help restore normal reproductive function through supplements and alternative uses of commonly used medications.
In Part J participants will explore the benefits of charting the female reproductive cycle from menarche to menopause and what’s next in the field of restorative reproductive medicine.
Describe at least two clinical indications for the use of progesterone supplementation in pregnancy. Describe at least two clinical indications for the use of progesterone outside of pregnancy. List common side effects of progesterone supplementation. Gain confidence for the use of progesterone supplementation.
Understand menstrual cycle bio markers in adolescents. Recognize common and uncommon etiologies of heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents. Recognize the importance of pursuing the underlaying cause of gynecologic disorders in adolescents.
In Part K participants will explore key strategies to improve reproductive health services for diverse populations.
Describe the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and its effects on reproductive health. Explain how insulin resistance can affect ovarian function. Discuss the different labs and medications used for insulin resistance and the impact on reproduction.
Describe normal and abnormal HPO axis maturation. Identify menstrual patterns associated with normal and abnormal HPO axis maturation. Understand the short and long-term systemic effects of amenorrhea in adolescents. Create a differential diagnosis for secondary amenorrhea in the adolescent.
In Part L participants will delve into ovulation induction for female infertility, including the use of aromatase inhibitors and other treatments.
Review the process of ovulation. Identify the various types of ovulation disorders. Become familiar with pharmacologic agents that can be used for inducing and enhancing the ovulation process (including off-label uses of medications). Describe the potential complications associated with ovulation induction, especially ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome.
Define restorative reproductive medicine (RRM). Describe how endometriosis can impact fertility and discuss how we can address anovulation through RRM. State the risks associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
In Part M participants will gain practical insights into managing a range of reproductive issues.
Identify common concerns and potential diagnoses on fertility awareness charts. Discuss individualized timing of laboratory and radiological studies for evaluation. Optimize healthy ovulation and menstrual cycles through a collaborative approach to charting. Integrate targeted restorative treatment options for ovulation disorders, luteal phase defects, PMS/PMDD, PCOS, sub/infertility, and prevention of early miscarriage.
State the most common causes of painful periods or dysmenorrhea. List the most appropriate diagnostic tests to determine the etiology of dysmenorrhea. Recognize how endometriosis is diagnosed and treated. Distinguish band aid treatments from methods to eradicate root cause diseases for dysmenorrhea.
To purchase samples of our Professional CME, please complete the form below. Email CME@FACTSaboutFertility.org for any questions or additional information.
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