Diploma In Menopause Practice & Education

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive:

• Diploma in Menopause Practice & Education (IMI 02), accredited by the Irish Menopause Institute, AIT (Association of Irish Therapists) and the CPD Standards Office
• IMI Certified Menopause Practitioner status
• Membership of the Irish Menopause Institute Professional Framework
• Recognition of your learning as Continuing Professional Development

This specialist qualification combines evidence-based menopause education with practical consultation, communication and professional-practice skills.

It prepares graduates to work directly with clients, deliver structured menopause education and integrate informed menopause support into an existing profession, service or business.

Graduates will develop the expertise to help women understand their symptoms, explore appropriate options and make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing, while recognising professional boundaries and the importance of appropriate referral and collaborative practice.

Individuals with no previous professional or academic background in menopause education who wish to develop and build a career in menopause support, education and delivery.

No previous menopause-specific or medical knowledge is required. The programme begins with the essential foundations and progressively builds learners' understanding across the physical, psychological, lifestyle and social aspects of menopause.

It is particularly suited to:

• Healthcare professionals, healthcare support staff and pharmacy professionals
• Nurses, healthcare assistants and allied health professionals
• Women's health and wellbeing practitioners
• Counsellors, psychotherapists, coaches and support practitioners
• Nutrition, fitness, lifestyle and holistic health professionals
• Social care professionals and family support practitioners
• Community health and community development workers
• Educators, trainers and professionals delivering health information
• Professionals working in private practice or client-facing services
• Individuals seeking to establish a professional menopause support practice

The programme enables professionals to add a specialist menopause qualification to their existing role, service or business.

As menopause is a broad and evolving area of women's health, the Diploma requires consistent engagement with taught sessions, guided learning and assessment. Participants are supported throughout as they build their knowledge step by step and learn how to apply it confidently within their professional scope.

Menopause support is becoming increasingly important within Ireland's focus on preventive healthcare, earlier intervention and improved women's health and wellbeing. This programme prepares participants to respond to that growing need with informed, responsible and professionally grounded support.

Through the Diploma, you will develop the specialist knowledge, practical skills and professional confidence to:

• Qualify as an IMI Certified Menopause Practitioner
• Work independently within your professional scope and support clients on a one-to-one basis
• Conduct structured menopause consultations
• Assess symptoms, individual needs and lifestyle factors within your scope of practice
• Develop personalised education and support plans
• Provide ongoing guidance, education and behaviour-change support
• Deliver structured menopause education to individuals and groups
• Integrate menopause support into your existing role, service or business
• Expand your existing career by adding a specialist menopause qualification
• Lead informed menopause support within your workplace or community
• Work collaboratively with GPs, menopause specialists and other healthcare professionals
• Recognise when further assessment is required and refer clients to appropriate medical, allied health or complementary practitioners
• Contribute to preventive healthcare, earlier access to support and improved health and wellbeing outcomes for women

The Diploma is delivered across eight structured modules.

1. 1

   Endocrine Physiology & Hormonal Regulation

   Understand the hormonal systems involved in menopause and how hormonal changes affect the body.

2. 2

   Female Anatomy, Skin Physiology & Tissue Ageing

   Explore anatomical changes, skin health and the physical effects of ageing throughout the menopause transition.

3. 3

   Hormonal Patterns, Metabolism & Endocrine Imbalance

   Learn about hormonal fluctuations, metabolism and common imbalances experienced during the menopause transition.

4. 4

   Psychosocial, Cognitive & Sexual Health In Menopause

   Understand the emotional, cognitive, relational and sexual health aspects of menopause and their wider impact.

5. 5

   Lifestyle Medicine & Physical Health In Menopause

   Explore practical lifestyle approaches that support physical health, wellbeing and symptom management.

6. 6

   Hormone Therapy & Medical Management

   Gain an overview of medical approaches, including hormone therapy and important clinical considerations.

7. 7

   Complementary & Integrative Approaches To Menopause Care

   Explore supportive therapies within a safe, evidence-informed and professionally appropriate framework.

8. 8

   Professional Practice, Consultation Skills & Clinical Collaboration

   Develop professional communication, consultation and referral skills and learn how to work effectively within a multidisciplinary support network.

Assessment is continuous throughout the programme.

Learners will complete practical, written and reflective tasks linked to the programme modules.

A final practical assessment, including a supported role-play, will allow learners to demonstrate their readiness to apply their knowledge in a professional and responsible manner.

Learners must:

• Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled teaching
• Achieve a minimum mark of 60% in each assessment
• Successfully complete all required practical, written, reflective and final assessments
• Demonstrate appropriate professional conduct, communication and practice within their scope

Clear guidance, feedback and learner support will be provided throughout the programme.

Graduate as an Irish Menopause Institute Certified Menopause Practitioner and become part of the Irish Menopause Institute Professional Framework — a multidisciplinary network committed to maintaining quality, credibility and consistent professional standards in menopause education and support.

Your first year of membership is included with the programme at no additional cost. This provides continued access to professional guidance, updated learning, quality-assured resources and opportunities to develop your practice or service after graduation.

Membership benefits include:

• Ongoing continuing professional development
• Professional update training
• Preferential member rates for required CPD
• Updated educational resources and professional guidance
• Practical business start-up and service-development support
• Peer connection and multidisciplinary networking
• Institute events and learning opportunities
• Support in developing workplace and community programmes
• Access to current quality-assurance and professional-practice standards
• Opportunities to strengthen your professional profile and expand your services

As workplaces, services and communities respond more effectively to the needs of women during perimenopause and menopause, appropriately trained practitioners must be able to demonstrate that their knowledge remains current. The Irish Menopause Institute Professional Framework is designed to support that responsibility and protect the quality and credibility of the profession.

Membership terms & conditions apply.

The Diploma is designed to support different levels of experience, professional background and learning style.

It combines:

• Structured teaching
• Practical application
• Guided independent learning
• Real-world case discussion
• Consultation practice
• Professional reflection

Learners will not only understand the subject; they will learn how to apply and communicate their knowledge with clarity, sensitivity and professional confidence.

Our advisory network brings together specialist clinical insight and academic expertise to strengthen the quality, accuracy and integrity of our menopause education. Together, our advisers bring clinical expertise and academic rigour to programmes designed to create meaningful change and raise the standard of menopause education.

Our wider advisory network will continue to grow as we listen to women from different communities, professions and sectors. By bringing together diverse experience, clinical insight and academic expertise, we aim to ensure that our education remains relevant, inclusive and responsive to what women genuinely need.

Meet our academic & clinical advisers →

Questions about the programme?

We welcome enquiries and are happy to discuss the programme, entry requirements, course structure and the support available to learners.

info@irishmenopauseinstitute.ie

089 215 4293