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Midlife, Informed. Resource Library

Answers not dismissal

Perimenopause and menopause information you can rely on, chosen by a menopause specialist from guideline groups, hospitals and charities. Nothing here is for sale. Tell us what is going on and we will show you three good places to start.

Chosen by Marie Powell, Nurse Practitioner and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, in Newfoundland and Labrador. What you type in the search box stays on your phone. Nothing is sent to us.

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What's going on?

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See someone soon if

These need a clinician, not a reading list. Call 8-1-1 or book in with your provider. Chest pain or sudden breathlessness is 9-1-1.

Any bleeding after 12 months without a period, even spotting, even once.
Periods that soak a pad or tampon every hour for two hours or more, last more than seven days, or come with clots bigger than a loonie or feeling faint.
A new breast lump, skin change, or nipple discharge.
On hormone therapy: calf pain or swelling, chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or a severe new headache.
Thoughts of not wanting to be here. Call or text 9-8-8, any time.

General information, not advice for you personally. If you are not sure, call 8-1-1.

Everything

Bring this

Fifteen minutes goes fast. Walk in with this filled out and you will get twice as far. Print it, or fill it in on your phone and hand it over.

Before you go

Track for two to four weeks. Use the Menopause Foundation of Canada symptom tracker.
Sort out what matters to you. The Ottawa Personal Decision Guide takes ten minutes. If the question is hormone therapy, use the HealthLink BC decision aid.
Book a visit just for this, and say so when you book. It should not be squeezed in at the end of something else.

About me

My age, and the date of my last period
The three symptoms bothering me most
What I have already tried
Medications and supplements I take
Family or personal history of breast cancer, blood clots, heart disease, stroke, or osteoporosis

Five questions to ask

Going by my age and my symptoms, do you think this is perimenopause or menopause? Over 45, it is usually diagnosed from symptoms. Hormone blood tests are not routinely needed.
What are all of my options, hormone and non-hormone, and which would you suggest for me?
Is there any reason hormone therapy would not be safe for me?
What should I be checked for at this stage? Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, bone health, breast and cervical screening.
If this does not help, when do we check in again, and what is the next step?

What we decided

The plan
Follow-up date

Midlife, Informed. Resource Library. For information only, not a diagnosis or medical advice for you personally.