Women’s Health in Extreme Medicine
Build women’s health into every stage of expedition planning
Women’s health has often been under-represented in expedition, wilderness and remote medicine training. Yet decisions around physiology, kit, contraception, nutrition, hygiene, pregnancy, menopause, personal safety and leadership can directly affect participation, wellbeing, performance and clinical care in the field.
This two-day course in London brings those considerations into practical expedition planning. You will explore how female physiology interacts with altitude, heat, cold and maritime environments, then apply that knowledge through workshops, group discussions, clinical cases and lessons from the field.
Designed for healthcare professionals, expedition leaders and those involved in planning or supporting remote journeys, the course will help you anticipate health needs, adapt equipment and systems, make sound clinical decisions and build safer, more inclusive teams.
Women’s Health in Extreme Medicine
What we'll cover
Female physiology in extreme environments
Explore physiological factors that can influence health, sleep and performance, including the menstrual cycle, contraception and menstrual suppression. Consider what altitude, heat, cold and maritime environments mean for clinical support and expedition planning.
Health across different life stages
Examine pregnancy in extreme environments, peri- and menopausal considerations, breast health and common conditions or emergencies that may present away from conventional care.
Nutrition, recovery and REDs
Build your understanding of nutrition across the menstrual cycle and life span, environmental effects on energy needs, pre-adventure preparation, Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).
Kit and practical field adaptations
Assess how clothing, body armour, harnesses, PPE, backpacks, sleeping systems, boots and specialist suits can affect comfort, performance and safety. Work through practical approaches to hygiene, sanitation, menstrual management, privacy and dignity in resource-limited environments.
Personal safety and risk
Explore personal and group safety across the expedition risk landscape, including cultural context, prevention, team behaviour and a practical, supportive response to disclosures of assault.
Clinical decision-making and medical planning
Use realistic cases to recognise red flags, adapt care to limited resources, plan medical kits and apply structured clinical reasoning when the evidence is incomplete or evacuation is difficult.
Human factors and inclusive leadership
Consider psychological safety, communication, bias and team culture, and how inclusive leadership can improve expedition planning, participation and clinical decision-making.
Research and future directions
Review important gaps in the evidence base and consider how clinicians, expedition teams and organisations can contribute to research, quality improvement, advocacy and better field practice.
Your Teaching Faculty
Faculty To Be Confirmed
London, UK
What's Included?
Expert teaching faculty
Two days of teaching from a multidisciplinary faculty with experience across women’s health, expedition medicine and remote environments.
Workshops and case-based learning
Practical kit sessions, facilitated group discussions, clinical and planning cases, and a faculty panel grounded in real field experience.
Lunch and refreshments
Lunch and refreshments are included on both days of the course.
Please note that accommodation is not included in your course fee.
Certificate and CPD
On completion, you will receive a certificate of attendance.
CPD is currently to be confirmed., this will be confirmed closer to the date.
Useful resources
It is a two-day classroom-based course exploring the physiology, clinical considerations, equipment, practicalities, safety and human factors involved in supporting women in remote, austere and expedition environments. It combines current evidence with workshops, group discussion, realistic cases and lessons from experienced faculty.
