Peri-menopause and post menopause is a big life stage in every person born with a uterus. It can be messy, and difficult to navigate. Educating ourselves is key!
There just been a recent report on The Health and Economic Research of Midlife Women in BC. You can read the full report here: https://whri.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HER_study_V24_Hires.pdf
It makes me a bit cranky that it had to include economics as if women's health isn't important on its own. (oh right....)
I did a short Youtube video listing a lot of symptoms that could be peri-menopause/menopause. It may also be something else. There can be multiple health issues at the same time so it's important to rule out things like thyroid, auto-immune disease. But you deserve to have the discussion about MHT.
Below are some tips from our Post-Menopause/Healthy Aging workshop.
Please reach out for support.
Exploring Menopausal Hormone Therapy. (MHT)
Self-advocacy:
· You are worth the effort of finding out what the benefits of hormone therapy might be for your current and future health. As our estrogen declines our health risks change.
· Heart disease and stroke is the #1 reason for premature death in women
· 1-in-3 of us will break a bone due to osteoporosis
· More women than men will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
· The disposable incontinence pad market is expected to be $16 US billion by 2025 with the majority of their marketing budget aimed at women.
· Reoccurring UTIs (urinary tract infections) account for more than 8 million doctor visits per year.
· Over 80% of us (or higher) will experience vulva and vaginal dryness post-menopause, yet less than 4% of us are currently receiving a solution. The majority of women can benefit from vaginal estrogen in combination with, or separate from MHT.
MHT is by prescription and includes estrogen and progesterone if you still have your uterus. Estrogen only if you have had your uterus removed. It can be delivered with patches, pills, and gels in varying dosages and combinations.
Beware of "natural" unregulated products.
One of the main challenges identified in the study listed above is access to a MHT educated practitioner.
Tips for Talking to your Doctor.
· Practice telling your story and make notes or draw out a timeline as a way of preparing for your appointment.
· It’s your job to describe your health concerns—as if you were telling a good friend. For example, instead of saying “I just don’t feel like myself anymore,” say “I used to be a good sleeper but now I wake up every day at 3 a.m. and it’s impacting my ability to do my job/care for my aging parents/exercise.” • Use a rating scale. “The pain I was experiencing with penetrative sex used to be only a mild concern, but now it is an 8 out of 10!”
· Share both your expectations and your surprises. Relating what’s surprising to you will help make sure the doctor pays attention to this part and address it. And who knows; it might surprise your doctor too, and completely change his or her thought process.
· State your health goals and ask for what you want. A 2012 study in the Journal of Health Affairs showed that people don’t ask their health care providers questions out of fear of being perceived as difficult.
· This is shared decision making between you and your doctor. Ask about the risks based on your specific health status and history. Weigh those risks against the benefits of MHT.
· MHT is not a belief it’s science.
· Ask for a referral if they refuse to have the conversation.