Thriving through Transition:
Empowering Women at Midlife
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on July 25, 2024
Thriving through Transition:
Empowering Women at Midlife
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on July 25, 2024
Note: Recognizing the unique challenges women1 face in accessing healthcare across their lifespan, Medavie Blue Cross commissioned a study to better understand their experiences and ensure greater health equity. We have also formed a partnership with sanoLiving to make healthcare for women at midlife more accessible and created a web page with information and resources to help meet women’s distinct healthcare needs at all stages of their lives.
This blog summarizes key insights and takeaways from an Insights webinar that unveiled the results of our study and shared evidence-based solutions to empower women to thrive as they transition through perimenopause and menopause. Our guest speaker was Dr. Jean Marmoreo, a physician, women’s health advocate, an Order of Canada recipient, and a member of sanoLiving’s Clinical Advisory Board.
A new study on women’s health points to the need – and the opportunity – to open up the conversation on menopause in the workplace and support women as they adjust to menopause and midlife hormonal changes. Conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of Medavie Blue Cross, the study revealed the impact menopause has on working women’s physical and mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.
Women’s Health Study Findings
- One in 5 (21%) working women say menopause has impacted their mental health a lot or severely2.
- Over half (56%) of working women feel uncomfortable talking to their employer about struggling to perform at work due to menopause2.
- Nearly one-third (29%) of employers would feel uncomfortable talking to an employee who approached them about struggling to perform at work due to menopause symptoms2.
A new study on women’s health points to the need – and the opportunity – to open up the conversation on menopause in the workplace and support women as they adjust to menopause and midlife hormonal changes. Conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of Medavie Blue Cross, the study revealed the impact menopause has on working women’s physical and mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.
Women’s Health Study Findings
- One in 5 (21%) working women say menopause has impacted their mental health a lot or severely2.
- Over half (56%) of working women feel uncomfortable talking to their employer about struggling to perform at work due to menopause2.
- Nearly one-third (29%) of employers would feel uncomfortable talking to an employee who approached them about struggling to perform at work due to menopause symptoms2.
Menopause by the #s
- Over 10 million Canadian women are currently experiencing menopause3.
- Perimenopause and menopause can last over ten years, typically occurring between ages 45-55.
“Employers invest time and resources in their skilled and high-performance employees. Supporting women in the workplace ensures that a large percentage of the workforce can continue to stay with the organization and contribute to its success. When a woman is going through menopause, it’s often the most productive and proficient time in her career.” - Tara Anstey, Director, Business Development, Client Value at Medavie Blue Cross
Symptoms of Menopause
- 95% of women will experience symptoms during and following the menopausal transition4 and will vary substantially from person to person.
- There are more than 40 symptoms of menopause, the most known being hot flashes, night sweats, sleep deprivation, and brain fog.
- Lesser known are the long-term effects of unaddressed symptoms of menopause, such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and dementia – chronic conditions driving increased costs in health and disability claims.
Symptoms of Menopause
- 95% of women will experience symptoms during and following the menopausal transition4 and will vary substantially from person to person.
- There are more than 40 symptoms of menopause, the most known being hot flashes, night sweats, sleep deprivation, and brain fog.
- Lesser known are the long-term effects of unaddressed symptoms of menopause, such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and dementia – chronic conditions driving increased costs in health and disability claims.
“Not identifying the root cause of symptoms such as low mood and sleeplessness as menopause leaves many women with sub-optimal care. As a result, their symptoms may continue and lead to significant impacts to quality of life, relationships, emotional health, and productivity at work.”
- Dr. Jean Marmoreo
sanoMidLife - Industry-first Benefit Solution to Support Women Navigating Menopause
Through our partnership with sanoLiving, Medavie Blue Cross offers an industry-first benefit solution to increase access to care and support women navigating menopause.
- sanoLiving offers a platform, sanoMidLife, that provides a combination of free and paid services to Medavie Blue Cross plan members. The platform also includes Sano, an AI virtual assistant that can answer any questions women have about menopause. Leveraging AI, this virtual tool provides reliable, trusted information trained on thousands of curated and reliable data points.
- The sanoAssessment is a comprehensive assessment that helps women identify their stage of menopause, along with a breakdown of the symptoms they are experiencing. All Medavie Blue Cross members have access to a complimentary personalized menopause assessment. In addition, they receive a Symptom Relief Guide that provides information about treatment options available.
- And, through the sanoMidLife Care Program, these services also include 1:1 coaching services, clinical assessments, access to allied health professionals, and more!
- If offered by the employer, the sanoMidLife Care Program may be claimed by members for reimbursement through our Health Coaching and Chronic Disease Management benefit, the Health Spending Account, or the Personal Wellness Account of their group benefit plan.
Importance of Investing in Women’s Health
- Reduce costs: The Canadian economy loses $3.5 billion each year due to unmanaged menopause symptoms3
- Optimize performance: 3 in 4 women experience menopause symptoms that interfere with their daily lives3
- Increase retention: 1 in 10 women will stop working due to unmanaged symptoms of menopause3
- Support health: The risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and dementia is significantly increased by the loss of estrogen due to menopause4
Importance of Investing in Women’s Health
- Reduce costs: The Canadian economy loses $3.5 billion each year due to unmanaged menopause symptoms3
- Optimize performance: 3 in 4 women experience menopause symptoms that interfere with their daily lives3
- Increase retention: 1 in 10 women will stop working due to unmanaged symptoms of menopause3
- Support health: The risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and dementia is significantly increased by the loss of estrogen due to menopause4
Key Takeaways to Support Women at Midlife
Review our Women’s Health page to learn more about the benefits available to members.
Promote the benefits available to your workforce, such as the complimentary sanoAssessment.
Review your benefit plan to ensure you are optimizing access to coaching services and healthcare professionals.
Contact your Medavie Blue Cross representative to discuss adding benefits to your plan.
View the webinar
Watch the recording of Dr. Marmoreo’s insightful webinar on women’s health.
1Medavie Blue Cross uses the word women for individuals who identify as women or female at birth.
2MBC-commissioned study on women’s health by Abacus Data, spring 2024
3Menopause Foundation of Canada
4Statistics Canada
5Healthwise
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...