Menopause. A topic often whispered about in hushed tones, accompanied by myths and misinformation, despite being a natural and inevitable part of every woman's life.
The conversation around it has always been shrouded in discomfort and shame, leaving many women feeling unprepared and disempowered.
However, there is a wind of change blowing around. From celebrities to everyday women, the conversation around menopause is finally taking center stage.
An innovative Canadian digital health company called Science & Humans has made the bold move, by bringing evidence-based treatments and technology to address the underserved hormone healthcare needs of all genders.
Their mission is to destigmatize conversations around hormonal imbalances, with a particular focus on the under-discussed topic of menopause, in order to educate and improve access to treatment options for all individuals.
One of the most prevalent myths is that hormone therapy causes breast cancer.
Some of the most prevalent myths surrounding hormone therapy triggered by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study in the late 1990s, inaccurately linked breast cancer and stroke to the use of HRT.
Several studies following the WHI study have shown that hormone therapy does not increase the risk, and in many cases, it may even reduce the overall risk.
Recently, a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association specifically focused on the impacts of the WHI study, on hormone replacement therapy, and reported a randomized trial involving 26,000 women.
The study followed these women for 18 years and found that those who chose HRT had a lower rate of cardiovascular death, a lower rate of cancer death, and a lower rate of all-cause mortality compared to those who received a placebo.
"Untangling the web of myths surrounding breast cancer and hormone replacement therapy is essential to alleviate the undue stress and confusion women face, allowing them to confidently reclaim control over their health and well-being. Science and Humans is here to do just that – provide women across Canada with a way to access customizable and effective hormone health." - Hira Siddiqui, COO and co-founder of Science and Humans.
Access to hormone therapy and misdiagnosis are common issues that women face during menopause. Fortunately, digital health platforms like Science and Humans provide a convenient solution by allowing you to easily connect with certified medical professionals right at your fingertips.
During their recent successful beta program, S&H provided their customer Lorraine*, from the Greater Toronto Area, aged 58, with life-altering relief. She suffered for eight years from sleep deprivation, hourly hot flashes, and weight gain caused by menopause and perimenopause. Despite seeking support from various healthcare professionals, Lorraine couldn’t find relief until she joined the beta program.
“The system regularly fails women like Lorraine, leaving them to suffer and assuming that these symptoms are a regular part of aging - which is not the case,” said Aftab Pashaw, CEO and Co-Founder of Science & Humans. “S&H's new gender-neutral focus aims to bring better diagnosis and treatment to Canadians who are currently suffering."
Embrace Menopause: Expert Advice and Awareness for an Empowered Life
A national survey by the Menopause Foundation of Canada (MFC) reveals “a shocking one in two (46%) feel unprepared for this stage of life and, in a world where no topic is off limits, more than half (54%) believe menopause is still a taboo subject. Despite menopause affecting 50% of the population, a remarkable four in ten women reported feeling alone through their menopause experience.”
This highlights the importance of having conversations about menopause and seeking expert support and advice.
Co-founder of Morphus and Menopause Expert Andrea Donsky says, "Menopause may bring confusion and uncertainty, but it also unlocks a powerful potential for empowerment. By embracing this new chapter of life with open conversations, support, and knowledge, women can discover new passions and strengths.”
“Let's normalize menopause by educating women about what’s happening to their bodies so they can take control of their health and symptoms. This will help to shift the conversation from frustration to opportunity.”
For many, experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disturbances can be particularly confusing. They might believe that they just have to accept them as a natural part of life without knowing what's causing them. With proper knowledge and treatment, women can take control of these symptoms and lead a healthy life without disruption.
By normalizing conversations about menopause and providing expert care, experts like Andrea Donsky and platforms such as Science & Humans offer solutions that can help change the narrative around this stage of life. Their evidence-based approach is a refreshing change from the misinformation that has surrounded menopause for too long.
"The system regularly fails women across Canada, leaving them to suffer and assuming that these symptoms are a regular part of aging, which we know now is not the case," stated Hira Siddiqui, COO and Co-Founder of Science & Humans. "All individuals are entitled to a certain quality of life. Our platform is here to raise that benchmark for everyone in Canada."
To take part in the discussion and stay up to date on how Science & Humans will be educating and encouraging a healthy conversation around menopause, you can follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Written in partnership with Alexis Vogue PR
