{"id":85309,"date":"2024-10-21T10:49:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T14:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/?p=85309"},"modified":"2025-09-16T15:13:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T19:13:06","slug":"understanding-menopause-four-things-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/healthy-tomorrows\/understanding-menopause-four-things-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding menopause: Four things you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group border-blue\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free perimenopause and menopause information session<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On October 15, 2025, The Ottawa Hospital&#8217;s Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Care Department is hosting a free 90-minute virtual information session to the public featuring Menopause Practitioner, H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Mongauzy, RN, BScN, NCMP.<strong><br>When:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>October 15, 2025 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Online via Microsoft Teams.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fevents.teams.microsoft.com%2Fevent%2Fbaa55156-82a8-440d-87d2-c2e84dc4e180%40859b41b6-130f-4d13-a693-1ffec4e7cb5a&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cwebofficer%40toh.ca%7Cd653a4b8e9194e0df1c008ddf46d67aa%7C859b41b6130f4d13a6931ffec4e7cb5a%7C0%7C0%7C638935472904256952%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Ybmp0pCiJNMwqomGGLqgZOCOuATj7cRKPKKOLXJ%2Bpk0%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Register to receive the link to the\u00a0live stream<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Questions? Please contact Marisa Moore at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:marmoore@toh.ca\">marmoore@toh.ca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Menopause is a naturally occurring decline in estrogen levels that can affect people in their late 40s and early 50s. It is diagnosed after a person who menstruates goes a full year without having a period.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite being a normal part of getting older for a significant portion of the Canadian population, a national survey conducted by the Menopause Foundation of Canada found that one out of two people felt unprepared for menopause \u2014 even though nearly all those surveyed reported that they were already experiencing an average of seven common menopause symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor many, going through menopause is a significant identity shift,\u201d explains Dr. Kerri Ritchie, senior psychologist with the Wellness Program at The Ottawa Hospital. \u201cIt can change how you see yourself, your body and what you want to prioritize in your life as you age.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Dr. Nathalie Fleming, Ob\/Gyn and Medical Director, Physician Health and Wellness at The Ottawa Hospital, information is key when it comes to menopause, because \u201cbeing informed means you won\u2019t be surprised by these changes in your body, which in turn can help you better manage symptoms and feel empowered to seek out support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To address this, the Wellness Program recently organized a panel discussion where hospital staff could learn more about menopause from fellow health-care professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are four facts they shared that you may not have known!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Menopause symptoms range widely from person to person<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps the most well-known symptom of menopause is hot flashes \u2014 sudden, intense feelings of heat caused by fluctuations in hormone levels that can leave you feeling flushed, sweaty and uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEssentially, your internal thermostat is broken,\u201d explains Dr. Yaa Amankwah, a physician at The Ottawa Hospital who runs a menopause practice at ORIGYNS Medical Clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hot flashes can cause heart-racing dizziness and headaches and disturb your sleep with night sweats. They can also persist for longer than you might expect, with some people continuing to have them for up to 15 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even then, hot flashes are only one piece of the puzzle. Those going through menopause typically experience a combination of physical symptoms, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Insomnia and fatigue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Body pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hair loss<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dry skin and acne<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Needing to urinate more frequently and urgently<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digestive issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diminished sex drive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vaginal dryness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMenopause is the result of biological changes that affect individuals uniquely,\u201d says Dr. Amankwah. \u201cEverybody\u2019s journey will not be the same \u2014 some may have a smooth ride, and others may be bumpier. But with education, we can overcome these challenges better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Yaa-Amankwah-Lisa-Manninen-The-Ottawa-Hospital-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Yaa Amankwah, Physician at The Ottawa Hospital, and Lisa Manninen, Occupational Therapist at The Ottawa Hospital.\" class=\"wp-image-85312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Yaa-Amankwah-Lisa-Manninen-The-Ottawa-Hospital-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Yaa-Amankwah-Lisa-Manninen-The-Ottawa-Hospital-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Yaa-Amankwah-Lisa-Manninen-The-Ottawa-Hospital-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Yaa-Amankwah-Lisa-Manninen-The-Ottawa-Hospital.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. Yaa Amankwah (left), Physician at The Ottawa Hospital, and Lisa Manninen (right), Occupational Therapist at The Ottawa Hospital.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Menopause affects your brain, too<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to these bodily changes, menopause can trigger mental symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many also report experiencing a noticeable loss in cognitive function, including difficulty concentrating, lapses in memory or an overall feeling of \u201cbrain fog.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe actual changes in the body, these rises and falls in hormones, are what cause brain fog,\u201d explains Lisa Manninen, an occupational therapist at The Ottawa Hospital. \u201cThen the other symptoms of menopause, like lack of sleep, make the brain fog worse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While difficult to manage and sometimes mistaken as early signs of dementia, it\u2019s important to remember that these often-challenging symptoms won\u2019t last forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnce we transition past menopause, our cognitive function comes back,\u201d Lisa assures. \u201cThese symptoms are not permanent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those dealing with menopausal brain fog, exercise has been found to help improve mood, reduce insomnia and increase energy levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt doesn\u2019t mean you have to join a gym,\u201d Lisa says. \u201cIt can be as simple as gardening or going on walks with a buddy. Just find something you like to do and start small \u2014 even 15 minutes, three times a week, can make a big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What you eat makes a difference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nutrition can play a key role in managing symptoms during menopause, explains Joanne MacNeill, a registered dietitian at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hormone fluctuations associated with menopause can also affect your digestive system, contributing to gas, bloating, sluggish digestion and constipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To counter this, Joanne encourages eating a \u201cheart-healthy\u201d diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish. Other tips include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eating legumes, nuts and seeds four times a week<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opting for plant-based fats when you can<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consuming calcium-rich foods like milk, cheese and yogurt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking a vitamin D supplement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watching your caffeine intake<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Eating a healthy, balanced diet and maintaining a regular eating pattern can all help promote regular bowel movements and improve your sleeping habits during menopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Joanne-MacNeill-Jesse-Bosse-The-Ottawa-Hospital-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"Joanne MacNeill, Registered Dietitian at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and Dr. Jesse Bosse, Psychologist at Tall Tree Psychology.\" class=\"wp-image-85314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Joanne-MacNeill-Jesse-Bosse-The-Ottawa-Hospital-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Joanne-MacNeill-Jesse-Bosse-The-Ottawa-Hospital-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Joanne-MacNeill-Jesse-Bosse-The-Ottawa-Hospital-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/HT-World-Menopause-Day-1200x600-Joanne-MacNeill-Jesse-Bosse-The-Ottawa-Hospital.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Joanne MacNeill, Registered Dietitian at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and Dr. Jesse Bosse, Psychologist at Tall Tree Psychology.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It\u2019s more than a women\u2019s health issue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to remember that menopause doesn\u2019t only affect women. Transgender men, non-binary people and other gender-diverse individuals can also experience drops in estrogen at various points in their life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMenopause is about estrogen variation and has little to do with gender identity,\u201d explains clinical psychologist Dr. Jesse Bosse, who specializes in gender diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thinking of menopause solely as a women\u2019s health issue can result in barriers to care, unmet medical needs and poorer health outcomes for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks who are excluded from these conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To address this, Dr. Bosse encourages everyone to think of menopause as a health condition that affects \u201cpeople,\u201d not just women, so that anyone experiencing menopause symptoms can safely and equitably receive medical care and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>While menopause can feel daunting, being informed is the first step towards effective symptom management and relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about menopause, please visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sigmamenopause.com\">Canadian Menopause Society<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartandstroke.ca\/women\/womens-risk-factors\/menopause\">Heart &amp; Stroke Foundation of Canada<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/menopausefoundationcanada.ca\/\">Menopause Foundation of Canada<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.menopauseandu.ca\/\">Menopause and U<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.queermenopause.com\/\">Queer Menopause<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unlockfood.ca\/\">Unlock Food<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Menopause is one of the least understood, yet most prevalent, health conditions in Canada. From common signs of menopause to symptom management strategies, here are four things you should know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":85310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[393,412],"class_list":["post-85309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-tomorrows","tag-education","tag-population-health"],"acf":[],"wps_subtitle":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85309"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85309\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}