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A significant number of Canadian women do not know where to turn for menopause care, according to a new report by GreenShield, a health care and insurance organization. The findings highlight a widespread gap in awareness and access that affects women across the country, with racialized women facing even greater barriers.
Many Women Left Without Guidance
The GreenShield report found that 40 per cent of Canadian women do not know where to seek menopause care. This means roughly four in ten women are navigating a major health transition without clear direction or support.
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The situation is more difficult for racialized women. Forty-five per cent of racialized women said they are unaware of where to find help for perimenopause or menopause symptoms. In addition, only one-third of racialized women had discussed their symptoms with a health professional. By comparison, roughly half of all women surveyed had done so.
Workplace support also falls short for many. Nearly one in four women said that menopause supports at their workplace were not culturally appropriate. This suggests that even where resources exist, they do not always meet the needs of all employees.
Symptoms Are Complex and Often Misunderstood
Harriet Ekperigin, vice president of clinical services growth at GreenShield Health, described the challenge many women face. “Menopause symptoms can be complex and interconnected, and too often, women are left playing detective with their own bodies, trying to understand symptoms that may initially seem unrelated and searching for credible answers on their own,” she said.
Menopause typically marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and usually occurs in a woman’s late 40s or early 50s. The transition, known as perimenopause, can begin years earlier. Common symptoms include hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, fatigue and irregular periods. Because these symptoms can overlap with other conditions, many women struggle to connect them to menopause.
Long Waits for Effective Care
A separate GreenShield survey, conducted by Ipsos in March, found that 33 per cent of Canadian women wait more than two years for effective menopause care. The survey attributed these delays to a range of barriers. These include confusion over symptoms, dismissed concerns from health professionals and a lack of clear guidance on where to seek help.
Furthermore, research from the Menopause Foundation of Canada reinforces these concerns. Its 2022 report found that 46 per cent of Canadian women feel unprepared for menopause. Moreover, more than half — 54 per cent — believe menopause remains a taboo subject, even in an era when few health topics go undiscussed.
A Broader Conversation Is Needed
Together, these findings point to a clear need for greater public awareness and more accessible care options. Many women are entering a significant life stage without adequate information or professional support. For racialized women, cultural barriers add another layer of difficulty to an already complex experience.
Health advocates and organizations like GreenShield are calling for more open conversations about menopause. They also stress the importance of culturally inclusive resources and clearer pathways to care. Without these changes, millions of Canadian women will continue to manage this transition largely on their own.
