Sexual & Reproductive Health

This module recognises that sexual health is a significant component of a woman’s well-being and sexual difficulties can undermine relationships, impair self-esteem, mood and quality of life. This module examines the complex, multifactorial etiology of sexual dysfunction and proposes an evaluation and treatment approach that addresses the biological, psychological, sociocultural, and relational factors. The role of the doctor to broach the subject of sex is addressed and the course guides practitioners in overcoming their apprehensions. Taking a detailed sexual history is outlined as the basis for treatment, prevention, education and empowerment to embrace healthy, satisfying, and responsible sexual behaviour. The module offers education and suggestions for some of the most common sexual health problems such as difficulty achieving orgasm and reduced libido. The final unit weighs the impact of changing hormone levels on the sexual function of menopausal women and examines the role of menopause hormone therapy. 

This module focusses on premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The module commences with definitions of early and premature menopause including risk factors and causes of spontaneous POI. Iatrogenic POI caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. Information about clinical presentations of POI, diagnosis criteria, patient history, examinations, investigations, and ongoing monitoring are listed in unit two. Health consequences may include psychological distress, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sexual dysfunction and other health concerns. The management of POI from initiating care and coordinating care may include a multidisciplinary approach. Information is provided on managing symptoms of menopause, sexual health difficulties and psychological issues. When managing patients with this condition, consideration needs to be given regarding prevention of bone loss, osteoporosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease. 

The experience of infertility or subfertility is often unexpected, confronting and can cause feelings of defectiveness, depression, and loss of identity. This module reviews the delicate and complex processes of ovulation, fertilisation, and implantation. It explores factors that contribute to infertility and subfertility including sex, mechanism, lifestyle and environmental factors, recreational drug use and concurrent illness. The module explores the psychological, social, physical, and financial burden of subfertility and infertility, and outlines intervention approaches. Patient case studies illustrate assessment and investigations required to construct a management plan for fertility problems. Content includes reproductive technologies such as in-vitro fertilisation, ovulation induction and DIY artificial insemination including the benefits and implications of these interventions. Adoption and surrogacy are also considered. Finally, the pivotal role of the practitioner in prevention, education, management, and support of women experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss is addressed.  

This module on pregnancy (part 1) includes guidelines to optimise maternal and foetal health throughout the stages of an uncomplicated pregnancy and creates a detailed model for screening and counseling. The three stages of pregnancy care: preconception care, antenatal care and postnatal care are outlined including considerations and procedures for screening and monitoring individual cases. A typical regimen for screening and indications for monitoring and further investigation is included. The course identifies common symptoms and complications during the antenatal and postnatal stage of pregnancy and considers risk factors, typical presentations, and potential maternal and foetal impact. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods for the management of specific conditions are included.  

This module considers four common complications of pregnancy - miscarriage, obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus, and postnatal depression. It includes clinical presentation, assessment, important considerations and management options. For example, when considering a management plan for miscarriage, a woman’s emotional distress and her need for control needs to balance with her physical welfare. Investigations of recurrent miscarriages are included. The increased risks of adverse outcomes associated with pre-conceptional obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy are covered including potential antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum obesity-related complications. It also discusses how to conduct sensitive conversations about managing gestational weight gain. A classification of the risk factors for gestational diabetes introduces the adverse complications for both mother and infant including epigenetic dysregulation. In conclusion, the role of the practitioner is discussed as a crucial point of care for perinatal depression and comorbid anxiety symptoms.  

This module discusses advanced maternal age pregnancies and potential complications for the mother and the child. It examines fertility decline and possible early pregnancy complications including spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, chromosomal abnormalities and congenital malformations. Late pregnancy complications discussed include hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, placental complications and increased risk of caesarean sections. Possible foetal complications including low birth weight, preterm delivery and stillbirth are included and then leads into definitions of twin pregnancies and possible maternal and foetal complications. Antenatal care, timings and mode of birth are included. Unit three defines pre-eclampsia, identifying women at risk, the effects on the body, and the pathophysiology and management of this condition including the complexities of managing this condition in rural areas. Pregnancy-related skin concerns are reviewed including skin pigmentation, stretch marks and thinning of hair. Benign and sinister specific dermatoses of pregnancy are described and examples are shown. 

This module discusses advanced pregnancy complications including how the immune system may respond to possible infections in pregnancy. These infections include chlamydia, syphilis, Hep B/C, HIV, GBS, rubella and varicella, HSV, listeria, parvovirus, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma and COVID- 19. Clinical management of these conditions is outlined. The causes of antepartum haemorrhage including risk factors and clinical management of this condition are outlined. Preterm birth/labour (PTL) discusses the causes, risk factors, risk reduction, assessment and management of this condition.  Vaginal/perineal tears and episiotomies, including definitions, risk factors and tear-associated morbidity are described. Episiotomy incisions are outlined and when this procedure should or should not be performed, including possible complications. The content outlines faecal and anal incontinence after pregnancy and childbirth including the definition, assessment history, examination and management of this condition. 

This module on menopause provides comprehensive information about the definitions, features and underlying causes of menopause and discusses the typical process and duration for each of the four stages: perimenopausal, menopausal, early postmenopausal and late postmenopausal. Methods for assessment and differential diagnosis of menopausal symptoms are outlined including indications for further investigation. Management options including lifestyle modifications, “natural” or complementary therapies, non-hormone pharmaceutical options and menopause hormone therapy (MHT) are discussed. Different types of MHT are reviewed including potential benefits and risks, safety considerations and testing methods. It also acknowledges potential contraindications for MHT and statistics that suggest a lack of observable effectiveness in treating some health conditions. The module outlines effective courses of action for adjusting treatment and managing complications. 

As estrogen deficiency begins to dominate in post-menopause, women may experience health issues and escalated risks. This extension module examines the aetiology, compounding factors and socioeconomic burden. Content includes the medical and complementary management of osteoporosis, genito-urinary syndrome, mood disorders and cardiovascular disease. It provides an outline of the risk factors associated with osteoporosis and fragility fractures. It discusses the tools to assess fracture risk as well as the criteria for, and interpretation of DXA scans. Lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy are also considered. Together with general care, non-hormonal measures and the role of topical or systemic estrogen therapy are considered. Genito-urinary syndrome caused by the hypogenic state of post menopause is discussed. The importance of a mental health assessment for post-menopausal women is emphasised including risk factors and management of depression and anxiety. The module concludes with an overview of cardiovascular disease, the risk factors (including the impact of estrogen deficiency), and the evidence and parameters for hormone therapy. 

The Advanced Certificate of Sexual & Reproductive Health is for physicians and degree-qualified medical professionals. The prerequisite is the Professional Certificate of Sexual & Reproductive Health (or qualification deemed equivalent).

Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Recognised prior learning (RPL)

HealthCert alumni who have successfully completed all of the following courses may enrol in the alumni RPL version of this course at a reduced fee because some modules have already been studied:

• Professional Certificate of Women’s Health (2 modules)
  
  • Pregnancy, Menopause
    
• Advanced Certificate of Women’s Health (4 modules)
  
  • Sexual Health, Infertility, Pregnancy Complications, Post-Menopause Health Issues
    
• Professional Diploma of Women’s Health (3 modules)
  
  • Premature Ovarian Sufficiency, Pregnancy Complications Advanced 1, Pregnancy Complications Advanced 2

Further professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

This certificate course meets the minimum 50 hours CPD annual requirement across all three mandatory CPD activity types, provided an outcome measurement activity with a minimum of five hours is completed. You may use an optional HealthCert outcome measurement activity or develop your own.

Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of Professional or Advanced Certificates.

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Advanced Certificate of Sexual & Reproductive Health and CPD hours.

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the second stage of the professional diploma pathway. The full pathway is: Professional Certificate of Sexual & Reproductive Health, Advanced Certificate of Sexual & Reproductive Health, Professional Diploma of Sexual & Reproductive Health.

Postgraduate Pathway

Graduates of the HealthCert Professional Diploma of Sexual and Reproductive Health qualify for a scholarship into the Master of Science: Sexual and Reproductive Health. This is an online course from the UK designed for medical practitioners. Please contact our UK partner directly regarding this scholarship: https://www.diploma-msc.com/s/healthcert 

Fees will vary based on the program and study option selected (fully online vs online + optional practical workshop). Payments can be made upfront or in monthly instalments. Special rates and various payment options are available. GP registrars and doctors in training enjoy a scholarship of up to $500. Talk to us to learn more.

Completion of any HealthCert course or attendance at an event will enable you to access the HealthCert Alumni Program which includes:

• Access to special alumni rates for new courses when they are released.
• Special alumni price for HealthCert Conferences.
• Exclusive advanced access to HealthCert events.
• Regular Alumni Webinars pertaining to the course(s) you have attended. These will provide content review of the course and an opportunity to discuss case studies.
• Access to the video lectures as seen during the course(s) that you have attended.

HealthCert Education is pleased to issue digital credentials for alumni. Digital credentials are a permanent online record of your successful completion of a HealthCert course and are issued to all course participants in addition to PDF certificates. If you are based in Australia, you also have the option to order a hard copy of your digital certificate for a small additional fee.

The recommended study duration of this certificate course is 92.5 hours, which includes study of the pre-course activities and readings, online lectures, live tutorials, and online assessment. This self-paced course offers the flexibility of 100% online study in your own time, at your own pace, in your own home or office, with no mandatory face-to-face requirements. You are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay video lectures at your convenience.

All HealthCert courses meet World Federation of Medical Education standards. This certificate course qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) in Australia. It is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) in New Zealand. It is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) in China. It is a self-submitted activity in Dubai and the United Kingdom. It is a self-submitted activity through the College of Family Physicians in Canada. If you live or work outside one of the above-mentioned countries, please contact us on admin@healthcert.com to discuss whether this course can be recognised in your country.