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Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Despite being a normal part of life, many women struggle with managing the stigma around symptoms of menopause – which not only affects their health, but can have a huge impact on their careers.
Symptoms hit the majority of women between the ages of 45 and 55, and can include hot flashes, depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping and heart issues. And despite being a normal part of life, many women feel it’s taboo to bring up symptoms with their doctors, or struggle getting their physicians to understand what they’re dealing with.
Menopause means more than just hot flashes. Here’s what else to know about women’s health
As investigative reporter Tavia Grant writes, the stigma around menopause has taken a heavy toll on working women and the economy as a whole. Menopause symptoms cause some to reduce their hours, avoid promotions, change careers or drop out of the labour force altogether, according to the foundation, causing ripple effects for their financial security and retirement savings.
And last week, the Menopause Foundation of Canada called on governments to increase research funding and better support the millions of women who are experiencing menopause. It estimates that the cost of unmanaged symptoms is $3.5-billion a year to the Canadian economy.
What the menopause gap in the labour force is costing Canada
On Thursday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. ET, Grant and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe will be answering reader questions on the stigma around menopausal symptoms, the options available for seeking treatment and the impact it has on Canada’s workforce.
Dr. Wijayasinghe is a menopause-certified family physician practising at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and the medical director of primary care outreach at Women’s College Hospital.
Submit your questions in the box below, or send an e-mail to audience@globeandmail.com.