It is estimated that more than one billion women worldwide are in the menopause transition or are postmenopausal, but in Canada, the care and support available still depend a lot on where you live.
Recent updates from Manitoba highlight how some provinces are increasing support.
The government announced plans to restore specialized menopause care, with a new, free, community-based clinic currently in development.
As of last year, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in Manitoba became fully covered at no cost. Nearly a year later, more than 36,000 women are saving money each month through the program.
Manitoba and B.C.
Manitoba has also introduced a dedicated billing code for longer menopause consultations.
It is now one of the only two provinces in Canada—alongside British Columbia—to offer free public coverage of HRT.
In B.C., full coverage for select menopause medications took effect in March. The province also provides specialized care through the BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, offering both in-person and virtual services.
Nova Scotia and Alberta
In Nova Scotia, the province is developing a “Menopause Centre of Excellence” that aims to provide multidisciplinary care, including physicians, dietitians, and physiotherapists, as well as virtual access across the province.
In Alberta, menopause-related care is available through Alberta Health Services, including a clinic at the Lakewood Community Health Centre and a recently introduced virtual nurse practitioner-led program.
Physician visits related to menopause are currently covered under the public system.
However, unlike Manitoba and B.C., Alberta does not currently provide universal public coverage for menopause medications such as HRT. Patients typically pay out of pocket or use private insurance for these treatments.
Specialized menopause services in Alberta are also more limited and less centralized than in some other provinces, where dedicated clinics and coordinated care models are being developed.
Across the country
Across Canada, publicly funded menopause care is still evolving.
While some provinces have introduced free medication and expanded specialized services, others continue to offer more limited coverage.
As a result, access to menopause care – including treatment costs and availability of specialized services – can vary between provinces.
For many, that raises questions about whether a person‘s postal code should determine their access to care.
In the meantime, women continue to seek care in this transitional period of their lives.
Video: Corrine Weidman shares her experience and learned lessons with perimenopause and menopause