4 in 10 Canadian Women Don't Know Where to Find Menopause Care

Half the population will go through menopause, yet a new Canadian report suggests a large share of women have no idea where to turn when it happens to them. For many, the first sign of trouble is a string of symptoms that do not seem to belong together.

Around 4 in 10 Canadian women say they do not know where to seek menopause care, according to a new report from GreenShield, a non-profit health care and insurance organization, as reported by Global News. The gap is wider for racialized women, 45 percent of whom say they do not know where to get help for perimenopause or menopause symptoms.

Key takeaways

About 40 percent of Canadian women say they do not know where to seek menopause care, according to GreenShield.

Among racialized women, 45 percent say they do not know where to get help, and only about a third have discussed their symptoms with a health professional.

One in three women waited more than two years after first noticing symptoms to get effective treatment.

Only 13 percent of women say their employer offers adequate menopause or hormonal health benefits.

Writing your symptoms down and bringing them to a doctor as a group makes it far easier to get a clear answer.

Why are perimenopause symptoms so easy to miss?

Part of the problem is that menopause rarely announces itself clearly. It happens when the ovaries stop consistently producing estrogen and progesterone, and the lead-up phase, called perimenopause, typically begins between ages 40 and 50. It ends once a person has gone 12 months without a period, and Health Canada puts the average age of menopause in Canada at 51.

The most common symptoms include fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, heart palpitations, anxiety, mood swings, weight gain, and brain fog. Those changes can show up years apart and look unrelated, which is why a GreenShield executive told Global News that many women are left to play detective with their own bodies. Our guide to the perimenopause symptoms nobody warns you about lists the less obvious ones.

Why do so many women wait two years for help?

An earlier GreenShield survey of 1,000 women aged 35 to 60, conducted by Ipsos and released this year, found that 33 percent of Canadian women waited more than two years after first noticing symptoms to receive effective treatment, and nearly half waited at least a year. Confusion over symptoms, doctors dismissing concerns, and not knowing where to turn all played a part, and 26 percent said they did not first recognize their symptoms as hormonal at all.

Silence around the subject adds to the delay. Research published by the Menopause Foundation of Canada in 2022 found that 46 percent of Canadian women feel unprepared for this stage of life, and more than half believe menopause is still a taboo subject.

GreenShield's research shows gaps at every step, from knowing where to go to getting treatment.

Why is the gap wider for racialized women?

The report found that only about a third of racialized women had discussed their symptoms with a health professional, compared with roughly half of women overall. Nearly 1 in 4 racialized women also said the menopause supports at their workplace were not culturally appropriate.

Those numbers matter because getting help depends on a conversation, and a conversation depends on feeling heard. When women do not see their experience reflected in the information or the support on offer, the delay that already affects many women grows longer.

How do you get a doctor to connect the dots?

If you are in your forties or fifties and dealing with symptoms you cannot explain, this report is worth taking personally, because the pattern it describes is exactly how care gets delayed. Poor sleep gets blamed on stress, brain fog gets blamed on a busy life, and palpitations earn a heart workup without anyone asking about hormones. Our guide to symptoms that get brushed off as stress shows how common that pattern is. Bringing your symptoms to a doctor as a group makes it much easier for them to connect the dots.

Treatment options have also widened in recent years. Our reports on why more women are asking for hormone therapy, a newly approved treatment for hot flashes and night sweats, and what testosterone can do for menopause symptoms explain what is now available in Canada.

What can you do to get help sooner?

A little preparation turns a vague appointment into a productive one, and these steps can help you get help sooner.

Write your symptoms down. Note when each one started, how often it happens, and what it disrupts, from sleep to work to mood. Our guide to preparing for a doctor's appointment has more on making the visit count.

Ask the direct question. Bring the list to a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or walk-in clinic and ask whether perimenopause or menopause could explain it.

Ask for a referral if needed. If the first conversation goes nowhere, ask for a referral or a second opinion, since waiting years should not be the norm.

Check your benefits. Some workplace plans now include menopause-specific support, so look at what yours covers.

Talk to the people around you. Partners, friends, and managers who understand what perimenopause can look like are far less likely to dismiss it.

Frequently asked questions

At what age does perimenopause usually start?

Perimenopause usually begins between ages 40 and 50, though it can start earlier or later. It ends once you have gone 12 months without a period, which marks menopause. Health Canada puts the average age of menopause in Canada at 51, and symptoms can begin several years before your periods stop.

Who can help with menopause care in Canada?

A family doctor or nurse practitioner is usually the best first stop for menopause care, and a walk-in clinic can help if you do not have one. They can assess your symptoms, discuss treatment options, and refer you to a gynecologist or specialized menopause clinic if your situation needs it.

Do workplace benefits cover menopause support?

Coverage varies widely from plan to plan, and GreenShield found that only 13 percent of Canadian women say their employer offers adequate menopause or hormonal health benefits. Some plans now include virtual menopause programs or cover prescribed hormone therapy, so check your plan booklet or ask your benefits provider what is included.

Your next step

You should not have to play detective with your own health. The Medimap Health Hub has more on women's health and hormones, and you can find a family practice near you or book a visit at a walk-in clinic to put your symptoms on the table and get real answers.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It does not replace a conversation with a doctor or other qualified health professional who knows your history. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.