Experts encouraged by increased menopause discussion, but warn against misinformation
Though discussions of menopause are all over social media, some experts in the field say women still struggle to get accurate information and access proper care.
“Women are not necessarily listened to, are not acknowledging themselves that something is off,” said Meno-Joie founder Marie-Josee Bourassa.
Bourassa is a clinical nurse who runs a private clinic in Montreal specializing in menopause. She said it is defined as one year without a menstrual cycle.
“Before that there's up to a 10-year gap where hormonal changes can be happening in a woman's body,” she said.
The 10-year gap is called perimenopause and for some women it can result in debilitating symptoms from brain fog and insomnia to joint pain and hot flashes.
Menopause influencers abound on social media and the conversation around it has never been louder, particularly on Oct. 18, which is World Menopause Day.
However, online forums also include plenty of misinformation from pseudoscience to false claims about hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
It is something general practitioner Dr. Catherine Falardeau hears a lot. She said studies show HRT is safe for most women.
“Hormones are getting back and woman, they get information by doctors like me, that estrogen is strong to protect their bones, protect their brains, protect their heart, and all the vessels,” she said.
Both Falardeau and Bourassa say that lifestyle changes can also be key from managing stress and exercising to choosing a healthy diet.
Bourassa said the online conversation around menopause is important but women should choose their sources carefully.
“There are great forums, like board certified ObGyn on social media that are voicing and that are showing literature,” she said. “That is evidence based practices. So when you have that, it's definitely reassuring and it's something to open the next conversation with your own personal health care provider.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuba's power grid fails, plunging country into darkness
Cuba's national electrical grid shut down on Friday after one of the island's major power plants failed, Cuba's energy ministry said, plunging the entire country into a blackout.
Arrests made after gunshots fired at Toronto Jewish girls' school
A 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy are facing multiple charges after allegedly firing gunshots at a Jewish girls' school last weekend.
SaskPower receives largest workplace fine in province's history for 2020 deaths of employees in Weyburn
SaskPower was sentenced Friday morning in a Weyburn courtroom, receiving a record fine, after being found guilty of three workplace-safety related violations when two experienced employees were killed on the job in 2020.
Suspect charged in hand-scooping incident at B.C. frozen yogurt shop
Days after a man was recorded walking behind the counter at a frozen yogurt shop in Richmond, B.C., and scooping product with his hand, a suspect has been criminally charged.
Thousands of hybrid vehicles recalled in Canada over risk of fire
An increased risk of fire has prompted the recall of thousands of Honda hybrid vehicles in Canada.
Cabinet minister who is quitting voices confidence in Trudeau
One of four Canadian cabinet members who are stepping down said on Friday that he has confidence in Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and he played down polls predicting the Liberals will badly lose in the next election.
Dog spotted hanging out on top of ancient pyramid in Egypt
While flying over Egypt’s famous Great Pyramids at sunrise earlier this week, US paraglider Marshall Mosher and fellow paragliders spotted the unexpected sight of a stray hound also taking in views around the summit of one of the ancient wonders.
Trump compares jailed U.S. Capitol rioters to Japanese internment during Second World War
Former U.S. president Donald Trump on Friday compared the people jailed on charges that they stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to the more than 120,000 people of Japanese origin incarcerated on U.S. soil during World War II.
Woman arrested after allegedly throwing a cup of bodily fluids at Saskatoon bus passengers, breaking window
A 29-year-old Saskatoon woman faces assault and mischief charges after allegedly throwing a cup of bodily fluids on two bus passengers and breaking a window on Thursday.