Latest news with #MenopauseCare
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Dialogue to Launch Comprehensive Women's and Family Health Care
A new standard of care, with access to trained clinicians in minutes MONTREAL, Aug. 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. ("Dialogue"), Canada's premier virtual healthcare and wellness platform, announced the upcoming launch of a comprehensive Women's and Family Health offering. Fully built in-house and seamlessly integrated within its platform, this new service deepens Dialogue's ongoing commitment to supporting the health needs of all women, through every stage of life. The rollout will commence in January 2026, beginning with specialized menopause care, which addresses a critical need in women's healthcare. Dialogue's innovative Women's and Family Health offering will provide evidence-based, whole-person care from trusted women's health clinicians, supporting all women and families through life's most important transitions. This program will offer employees and their dependents access to an in-house team of multidisciplinary clinicians trained in women's health, along with coaching and navigation support, personalized care plans, and educational resources, all delivered through Dialogue's Integrated Health Platform. "Women's health has always been a priority at Dialogue, and this launch marks an important step towards delivering more inclusive, targeted care that meets the diverse needs of women and their families," said Swati Matta, Head of Women's Health at Dialogue. "This isn't just an expansion of our services, it's a reflection of our commitment to ensure all women have access to timely, comprehensive care that is centred on their unique needs." Inequities in women's health affect a broad and diverse population, often intensified by intersecting factors such as race, ethnicity, income, disability, and geography. Many in these groups experience conditions that are poorly understood, underfunded, or overlooked. According to the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute's 2024 report, part of this is due to inadequate training for healthcare practitioners in understanding and addressing gender-specific health conditions, but also in recognizing how common diseases can present and respond differently in women. Menopause will be the first area of focus. 3 in 4 women experience menopause symptoms that interfere with their daily lives, such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive challenges, causing 1 in 10 to leave the workforce. These services will be delivered by Dialogue clinicians who will complete robust training, including attending the scientific conference organized by the Menopause Society of Canada. This forms the foundation of a specialized menopause care program, developed with oversight from Dialogue's medical team to ensure that care is evidence-based, patient-centred, standardized, monitored, and continuously improved. "We recognize the very real needs in women's health, and I'm proud to see Dialogue taking meaningful, proactive steps to close them. Providing healthcare practitioners with evidence-based education on perimenopause and menopause is essential to ensuring that all women receive the comprehensive care they deserve," shares Dr Stephanie Moynihan, Assistant Medical Director at Dialogue. "As a physician, I've seen firsthand how vital it is to offer care that addresses the full picture: physical, mental, and emotional, rather than treating issues in isolation. This is a critical step forward." Reducing stigma around women's health, especially in the workplace, begins with a more integrated and inclusive approach to care. As expectations around employee well-being continue to grow, companies must move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and take a more meaningful approach to well-being. About Dialogue Dialogue is Canada's premier virtual healthcare and wellness platform, providing affordable, on-demand access to quality care. Through its team of health professionals, it serves employers and organizations who have an interest in the health and well-being of their employees, members and their families. Dialogue's Integrated Health Platform™ is a one-stop healthcare hub that centralizes all programs in a single, user-friendly application, providing access to services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year from the convenience of a smartphone, computer or tablet. Dialogue is the first virtual care provider to receive Accreditation with Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada, a third-party validation of safety and the highest-level quality of care. In October 2023, Sun Life acquired Dialogue, which now operates as a standalone entity as part of Sun Life Canada. For more information, please visit the Company's website at SOURCE Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. View original content to download multimedia:
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'I thought it was just stress' – 3 women share their experiences of going through early perimenopause
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Perimenopause is usually assumed to be something that women start going through at around 45, but many women notice changes in their bodies as early as their 30s. Indeed, a 2025 study from Menopause Care found that for 39% of women, perimenopause began earlier than they had expected. When women did eventually suspect that their symptoms might be hormonal, only 56% felt supported and understood during their first GP appointments. Dismissed by medical professionals, women are forced to soldier on through their life-controlling, crippling symptoms until they plead their case long enough to be seen and heard. We spoke with three women who kept advocating for themselves to doctors until they were finally prescribed HRT for early perimenopause. For many women, perimenopause symptoms – from changes to their menstrual cycle lengths, to hot flashes, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness – are often just excused away, by themselves and doctors, as a normal part of getting older. Near the end of 2019, Jenny Lucas, then 35, a mother of two and full-time music teacher in Berkshire, UK, constantly felt overwhelmingly tired and foggy-brained. 'Sometimes I would struggle to find the right word when I was talking,' she tells us. I was worried it might be early-onset dementia, as it does run in my family. 'I went to the doctor and had blood tests, which came back normal, three times over a period of 18 months." Emily-Pomroy-Smith, 37, founder of a haircare business in Wiltshire, UK, also initially struggled to find explanations for her symptoms. Having always been able to sleep well, Emily suddenly found she couldn't drift off once she turned 35. 'I would just lie awake at night, not able to shut off my brain,' she tells us. 'There was the knock-on effect of not having sleep – brain fog and irritability. The insomnia got worse, and alongside that, I was struggling to shift weight despite exercising and eating healthily, and I had low libido and lots of hot flashes. My periods had also become shorter, but very painful. 'Doctors did all the blood tests and just said I was a bit iron-deficient.' Facing a similar experience, Anita Guru, now 44, from Surrey, UK, started to get erratic periods, hot flashes, low mood, brain fog, and anxiety when she was 39 – changes that holistic therapists, friends, and family suggested were 'just stress.' In the last 10 years, menopause symptoms have been talked about much more than in previous generations. Women are now armed with information and able to identify changes in their bodies, understanding that the cause could be down to hormone fluctuations. 'I'd heard on TV that perimenopause can start early, and thought that all of my symptoms could be down to that,' Jenny says. 'It was my mom who suggested I might be perimenopausal when she watched me have a hot flash while talking with her,' Emily says. 'She told me she had gone through it early too, and wished she had gotten on HRT earlier. She pushed me to see another doctor. "As far as I know, none of my peers have gone through this, so had it not been for my mom, perimenopause wouldn't have even been on my radar.' Having built up the courage to speak to doctors, women often feel let down by the doctors they've seen. Menopause Care's study found that only half of women felt supported and understood during their first appointment about their menopausal symptoms, with one in five saying their symptoms weren't diagnosed correctly on their first visit. When Jenny told her doctor she thought she might be experiencing menopausal symptoms, he 'dismissed' her concerns. 'He said I was too young – that I was just a busy mom,' she says. 'Another doctor told me it was just a natural part of life, and that I just needed to adjust my diet. 'It was heartbreaking to be dismissed, and I didn't know who else to speak to.' Gearing up for her second round of IVF, Anita told several GPs, gynaecologists, and a fertility doctor about her unusual period pattern, hot flashes, low mood, brain fog, and anxiety. 'They all told me I was too young to be perimenopausal,' she tells us. 'I felt gaslit. It was like I was screaming into an echo chamber and not being heard. 'But all the symptoms were getting worse. It was all having a huge impact on my mental health and on IVF treatments. I would wait for my period to come so I could start IVF, but then my period wouldn't come as planned. 'I spent hours researching perimenopause, convinced this was what was happening in my body.' For a couple of months being initially dismissed by doctors, Jenny doubted herself, thinking perhaps she wasn't perimenopausal. 'But things weren't getting better,' Jenny says. 'If the exhaustion carried on, I knew I might have to quit my job. 'I requested to speak to the women's health doctor at my health practice, and pushed her to let me try HRT. I told her I couldn't live the rest of my life this tired. She was reluctant, but said I could try it for three months to see if it worked.' Only a few months ago, in April, Emily also booked in to see the women's specialist at her GP practice. 'She listened to me, and said it did sound like it could be perimenopause,' Emily says. 'After doing blood tests, she said my hormone levels did indicate that I could be perimenopausal. She offered to prescribe me HRT if that was the route I wanted to go down. "It was a huge relief for someone to tell me that this wasn't 'all in my head', and that something could actually be done about it.' Anita finally spoke to a GP who identified that her symptoms could be due to perimenopause. 'I later found out that my early perimenopause could be traced back to endometriosis I'd been diagnosed with in my early 30s,' she says. 'I had a lot of surgeries and my egg count dropped as I shed layers of my ovaries through surgeries, leading to premature menopause.' All three women were eventually prescribed HRT, and each experienced some degree of reprieve from their perimenopause symptoms. 'I've now been using HRT for two years, and it has reversed my symptoms,' Jenny says. 'It's so wild the difference HRT can make. It's been life-changing.' Emily is currently using a combination of estrogen patches and progesterone tablets. 'In just two months of using HRT, my insomnia has gotten better and I've been able to lose some weight,' she says. 'My periods are more normal, too. I think there are still some tweaks to be made – my temperature regulation still isn't great. But the women's health doctor I saw has planned check-ups with me to reassess what we can do differently.' Anita was prescribed estrogen gels and progesterone tablets a year after her symptoms had started. 'The HRT has hugely improved the hot flashes, but I'm still struggling with my brain fog, lack of concentration, and low mood. "HRT has been helpful, but it isn't a magic pill,' she says. 'I've heard about women who feel hopeless when they don't feel seen or heard. And I get it. We do all we can to help ourselves and nothing works, and no one listens. If I hadn't kept pushing, I don't know what my life would look like now.'
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
The menopause: How does it impact mental and cognitive function?
Menopausal symptoms may be linked to increased risk of cognitive decline, a new study suggests. Researchers found that women reporting more intense menopausal symptoms also experienced greater difficulties with thinking, learning, and memory later in life. The study, published in PLOS One, involved 896 post-menopausal women with an average age of 64. Participants rated the severity of 11 common menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, brain fog, and mood swings, on a scale of zero to 10. Canadian researchers discovered a correlation between higher symptom scores and reported cognitive difficulties. Furthermore, the study indicated a link between increased menopausal symptoms and mild behavioural impairment, encompassing changes in personality, reduced motivation, and impulse control issues. While these findings highlight the potential importance of the menopausal phase in assessing dementia risk, researchers emphasize the need for further investigation. We've consulted experts to help explain the science behind how menopause can affect our mental and cognitive abilities… Mood 'During perimenopause, your hormones – mainly oestrogen and progesterone – start fluctuating,' says Dr Naomi Potter, menopause specialist and founder of Menopause Care. And these hormonal shifts can take a toll on mood and mental wellbeing, as well as the body. ' Oestrogen plays a big role in brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate mood,' explains Potter. 'When oestrogen levels drop, serotonin production can slow down, making you feel lower, more irritable, and more prone to anxiety. 'These ups and downs can also make emotions feel more intense, so anxiety can feel even more overwhelming during perimenopause.' 'Between 40-60% of women experience sleep disturbances during the menopause transition,' highlights Potter. 'This can be caused by hormonal changes themselves, as well as symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, and frequent trips to the bathroom at night. 'Poor sleep can make it harder for your body to handle stress and emotions, leading to lower tolerance, brain fog, and heightened feelings of anxiety.' Oestrogen and testosterone play an important role in memory and cognition. 'When the levels of these hormones drop during menopause and perimenopause, it can lead to an array of symptoms including poor memory, difficulty finding words, difficulty staying focused and a feeling that the brain feels 'fuzzy' or 'cloudy',' explains Dr Angela Rai, GP at The London General Practice. 'This is often described as 'brain fog'.' Longer-term issues Some women experience symptoms of depression during menopause. Unlike temporary mood swings or the worry that comes with anxiety, depression is more persistent, affecting emotions, behaviour, and daily life in a way that doesn't just pass with time, highlights Potter. 'Depressive symptoms are most common during perimenopause – the transition leading up to menopause – when hormone fluctuations are at their peak,' explains Potter. 'This makes it a particularly vulnerable time, so it's important to stay aware of changes in mood and wellbeing during these years. 'While less common, depression can also develop later in menopause, though more research is needed to fully understand why.' What advice would you give to women who are experiencing mental or cognitive impacts from menopause? Seek professional advice 'Even mild emotional or psychological struggles during menopause are a valid reason to seek support,' says Potter. 'There's absolutely no shame in talking to a doctor – no one should have to suffer through menopausal symptoms alone.' Look into medication options for specific symptoms 'Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, can help with the physical effects of anxiety, like a racing heartbeat, flushing, and shaking, by blocking certain stress-related chemicals in the brain,' says Potter. 'Whereas medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can help regulate mood by increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine, often referred to as the brain's 'happy hormones'.' Exercise regularly 'Staying active is one of the most effective ways to boost mood,' highlights Potter. ' Studies suggest that exercise is 1.5 times more effective than medication or therapy for mild to moderate anxiety.' Practice relaxation techniques 'Practices like mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and menopause yoga can help manage stress and anxiety,' notes Potter. 'These techniques encourage present-moment awareness, helping to break cycles of anxious thoughts and reduce emotional reactivity, which can be heightened by hormonal fluctuations.' Eat a healthy diet 'A well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can positively impact both physical and mental wellbeing,' adds Potter. Lean on your support system 'Talking to friends, family, or a support group can provide emotional relief,' says Potter. 'Knowing you're not alone in your experience can be incredibly reassuring.' Make sleep a priority ' Sleep and anxiety can create a vicious cycle, so maintaining good sleep hygiene is crucial,' stresses Potter.
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Can menopause impact our mental and cognitive abilities?
New research suggests that women who experience greater menopausal symptoms are more likely to face memory and thinking problems as they age. In the study, 896 post-menopausal women, averaging 64 years old, were given a list of 11 symptoms – such as hot flushes, brain fog, and mood swings – and were asked to score them between zero to 10 based on how often they experienced them. The Canadian researchers found that women who recalled experiencing more symptoms also reported facing greater difficulties with thinking, learning, and memory. Published in the journal PLOS One, these findings also noted that these women also had more mild behavioural impairment symptoms, such as changes in personality, decreased motivation or impulse control issues. The academics said these findings suggest that the menopausal phase could be important for assessing dementia risk, but added that more work is needed on this topic. We've consulted experts to help explain the science behind how menopause can affect our mental and cognitive abilities… Mood 'During perimenopause, your hormones – mainly oestrogen and progesterone – start fluctuating,' says Dr Naomi Potter, menopause specialist and founder of Menopause Care. And these hormonal shifts can take a toll on mood and mental wellbeing, as well as the body. ' Oestrogen plays a big role in brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate mood,' explains Potter. 'When oestrogen levels drop, serotonin production can slow down, making you feel lower, more irritable, and more prone to anxiety. 'These ups and downs can also make emotions feel more intense, so anxiety can feel even more overwhelming during perimenopause.' Sleep 'Between 40-60% of women experience sleep disturbances during the menopause transition,' highlights Potter. 'This can be caused by hormonal changes themselves, as well as symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, and frequent trips to the bathroom at night. 'Poor sleep can make it harder for your body to handle stress and emotions, leading to lower tolerance, brain fog, and heightened feelings of anxiety.' Memory and concentration Oestrogen and testosterone play an important role in memory and cognition. 'When the levels of these hormones drop during menopause and perimenopause, it can lead to an array of symptoms including poor memory, difficulty finding words, difficulty staying focused and a feeling that the brain feels 'fuzzy' or 'cloudy',' explains Dr Angela Rai, GP at The London General Practice. 'This is often described as 'brain fog'.' Longer-term issues Some women experience symptoms of depression during menopause. Unlike temporary mood swings or the worry that comes with anxiety, depression is more persistent, affecting emotions, behaviour, and daily life in a way that doesn't just pass with time, highlights Potter. 'Depressive symptoms are most common during perimenopause – the transition leading up to menopause – when hormone fluctuations are at their peak,' explains Potter. 'This makes it a particularly vulnerable time, so it's important to stay aware of changes in mood and wellbeing during these years. 'While less common, depression can also develop later in menopause, though more research is needed to fully understand why.' 'Even mild emotional or psychological struggles during menopause are a valid reason to seek support,' says Potter. 'There's absolutely no shame in talking to a doctor – no one should have to suffer through menopausal symptoms alone.' Look into medication options for specific symptoms 'Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, can help with the physical effects of anxiety, like a racing heartbeat, flushing, and shaking, by blocking certain stress-related chemicals in the brain,' says Potter. 'Whereas medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can help regulate mood by increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine, often referred to as the brain's 'happy hormones'.' Exercise regularly 'Staying active is one of the most effective ways to boost mood,' highlights Potter. ' Studies suggest that exercise is 1.5 times more effective than medication or therapy for mild to moderate anxiety.' Practice relaxation techniques 'Practices like mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and menopause yoga can help manage stress and anxiety,' notes Potter. 'These techniques encourage present-moment awareness, helping to break cycles of anxious thoughts and reduce emotional reactivity, which can be heightened by hormonal fluctuations.' Eat a healthy diet 'A well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can positively impact both physical and mental wellbeing,' adds Potter. Lean on your support system 'Talking to friends, family, or a support group can provide emotional relief,' says Potter. 'Knowing you're not alone in your experience can be incredibly reassuring.' ' Sleep and anxiety can create a vicious cycle, so maintaining good sleep hygiene is crucial,' stresses Potter.
The Independent
29-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
What's Jennifer Aniston's Pvolve workout and could it help with menopausal symptoms?
New research highlights the benefits of fitness program Pvolve, endorsed by actress and fitness icon Jennifer Aniston as a 'game changer', for improving physical function during menopause. Led by the University of Exeter and funded by Pvolve, the study investigated whether the low-impact resistance program could enhance strength, balance, and body composition, and whether menopause status affected these improvements. Published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the study involved 70 moderately active women aged 40-60 in the South West of England, none of whom were on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Participants were split into two groups: 45 did Pvolve for 12 weeks, while 25 followed a standard exercise routine of 150 minutes per week. The results showed that the Pvolve group experienced significant improvements, including a 19% increase in hip function and lower body strength, a 21% boost in lower body flexibility, and a 10% improvement in balance and stability, compared to the standard exercise group. But what does the Pvolve workout actually involve, and to what extent could it benefit women going through menopause? What physical changes often occur before, during and after menopause? Menopause brings about hormonal fluctuations that can affect multiple organs and bodily functions. 'These changes can impact bones, muscles, collagen, and soft tissues, often leading to increased inflammation, body aches, and discomfort,' explains Dr Naomi Potter, menopause specialist and founder of Menopause Care. 'As a result, conditions such as plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow may become more likely during the menopausal transition.' Menopause can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become brittle and more prone to breaks, she adds. 'The decline in oestrogen accelerates bone density loss, particularly affecting areas such as the hips, spine, and wrists in postmenopausal women,' notes Potter. 'This increases the likelihood of fractures.' What does Pvolve actually involve and could this type of low-impact activity help women going through menopause? Pvolve workouts are a combination of low-impact functional fitness and resistance-based equipment that can be done at home or in one of the brand's US or Canada-based studios, according to Pvolve's website. Many of the sequences, which include bending, reaching, twisting and pulling, are meant to mimic everyday movement. Commenting on the publication of the study, Professor Francis Stephens, from the University of Exeter who led the research, said: 'The great thing about these simple resistance exercises is they can easily be performed at home, and we've now shown they're effective at improving strength and balance in women during and post-menopause. 'In fact, some measures of balance appeared to increase to a greater degree in post-menopausal women, suggesting that these exercises are not hindered by the menopause transition.' Pvolve president Julie Cartwright also added: 'Women undergo tremendous physical change during the menopause transition, and this research shows that the Pvolve method can serve as an intervention, helping women to live better and feel better throughout their lives.' Potter describes these findings as 'exciting' and agrees that resistance training is great for improving bone density and increasing muscle mass. 'These latest research findings around resistance training for menopause are very exciting indeed,' says Potter. 'In general, resistance training is known to improve bone density, build strength and increase muscle mass, as well as improve flexibility and balance. 'So, it makes sense that this would benefit people of all ages, including women going through menopause.' Could it help with any other menopause symptoms/changes? 'Exercise is great for managing menopause symptoms, improving your mood and increasing your strength,' highlights Potter. 'Ultimately, any habit, behaviour or lifestyle choice that supports overall wellbeing can help manage menopause symptoms.' Which type of physical activity would you recommend for women going through menopause? For Potter, the most important thing is to find an exercise you enjoy so you can make a habit of it. 'The specific exercise can be very broad, just make sure it's the exercise you enjoy so that it's easier to incorporate into your lifestyle,' advises Potter. 'Ideally, you want to be getting a bit out of breath, so cardiovascular movement as well as strengthening exercises are great for that.' Yoga and cold water swimming in particular have a plethora of benefits. 'If you're looking for exercises to try, extensive research shows that yoga can significantly improve psychological, somatic, and urogenital symptoms,' says Potter. 'Additionally, it may help lower the risk of age-related health conditions, including osteoporosis, muscle loss, and cardiovascular disease. 'Cold water swimming during menopause can also help soothe the parasympathetic nervous system, and boost your energy levels.'
