Home / Health / Manitoba Budget Promises New Menopause Clinic
Manitoba Budget Promises New Menopause Clinic
26 Mar
Summary
- Manitoba budget allocates $5.2 million for a new specialized menopause clinic.
- Advocates stress need for holistic support beyond HRT for perimenopausal women.
- Previous Mature Women's Centre in Winnipeg was closed in 2017.
A new specialized menopause clinic is slated for south Winnipeg, backed by a $5.2 million provincial budget commitment. Advocates, like Menopause Doula founder Louise Neil, are urging for a holistic approach that extends beyond hormone replacement therapy. Neil stresses the importance of comprehensive support, including education for women, employers, and healthcare practitioners, to address the wide-ranging symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
The planned clinic aims to provide "comprehensive, interdisciplinary care," according to Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara. This initiative seeks to rebuild and expand access to vital supports, encompassing clinical care, education, and coordinated services. Details regarding the clinic's specific offerings and location will be announced soon. This development comes after the closure of the Mature Women's Centre in 2017, which previously offered menopause transition and gynecological treatment, leaving many Manitobans without dedicated specialized care.
While applauding the budget allocation, advocates note that one clinic may not suffice for the estimated 120,000 women in Manitoba experiencing perimenopause and menopause. The symptoms, driven by declining estrogen, can include hot flashes, incontinence, fatigue, cognitive changes, and mental health impacts, often lasting for years. The lack of dedicated facilities previously left women to navigate these complex changes through fragmented information and personal research.
