Event aims to break stigmas about menopause

Stigma around aging, in addition to a lack of awareness and information due to shame, has kept a lot of people in the dark when it comes to women's health.

Menopause is not taught in school. Women's health hasn't been paid attention to by the media because there is stigma about the aging process," said Dr. Alison Shea, obstetrician and gynecologist at St. Joseph's Healthcare System.

New research by the Menopause Foundation of Canada revealed 46 per cent of women feel unprepared for this stage of life, while still seeing it as a taboo subject.

Women are not taught to elevate their voices and ... mothers just suffered in silence," said Shea, who is also a menopause mental-health specialist. Many women don't want to talk about menopause because it makes them feel like they are getting old."

Thinking about that, St. Joe's Women's Health Concerns Clinic is hosting a virtual forum where people will have the opportunity to ask more questions about menopause.

The forum will bring St. Joe's clinical experts with experience and resources to help people navigate menopause.

Shea explained some of the challenges people going through menopause face and how to seek support:

What should people know about menopause?

Women are largely unprepared. It's very different from going though puberty when you get education from school, your parents and peers. In addition to that, many women don't know that symptoms of depression and anxiety are very common during the menopause transition."

What do you hope people learn from this forum?

To raise awareness, to elevate the voices and to get conversation going. The time is now for women to share information and learn what is either happening or will happen to their body and not feel so alone. Women should advocate for themselves because many primary health-care practitioners are not up to date on what options are available to treat the menopause symptoms."

When and where should people seek help if they are dealing with menopause?

Once the symptoms get severe they should seek information from proper place like the Menopause Foundation of Canada. We have many treatments available to help ease some of these symptoms so women don't have to suffer in silence."

The Menopause and the Changing Brain" forum happens virtually on Nov. 18 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and all proceeds will be donated to support the work of the Women's Health Concerns Clinic at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

Free tickets are also available to access the forum, please email openingupforumsjwhcc@gmail.com for assistance.

Beatriz Baleeiro is a reporter at The Spectator.bbaleeiro@torstar.ca

Menopause and the Changing Brain

Hosted by: Women's Health Concerns Clinic

When: Nov. 18 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Virtual

Tickets: $10. If you need compassionate (free) access to this workshop, please email openingupforumsjwhcc@gmail.com for assistance.