More than one in five Canadians do not have a doctor or health care provider they can see regularly (OurCare.ca, 2023) and for those who do, physicians often do not have sufficient training in menopause care, leaving millions of women suffering needlessly for years.
In this episode, family physician and menopause specialist Dr. Sarah Naomi Shaw discusses the many barriers to accessing effective menopause care in Canada, from lack of doctor training in medical school, to long waitlists for specialists, to persistent misconceptions about the risks of treatments like menopause hormone therapy and more. Dr. Shaw tells us where and how to find a certified menopause specialist in your area and how patients can best prepare for doctor visits to receive the best care possible.
Finally, Dr. Shaw discusses all of the treatment options available to women from lifestyle changes, to non-hormonal therapies, to menopause hormone therapy.
The main non-hormonal medications categories for hot flashes are:
- SSRI/SNRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) medication. These drugs are most often used to treat depression and anxiety but also can help manage hot flashes. For example, paroxetine, venlaxfaxine, escitalopram
- Gabapentinoids
- Oxybutinin
Episode description by Melissa Grelo on Spotify.
Podcast: Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo
Host: Melissa Grelo
Episode: How to Access and Get Effective Menopause Care in Canada with Dr. Sarah Naomi Shaw
Guest: Dr. Sarah Naomi Shaw
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