Women's Health

A research team at IWK Health is conducting a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) study to better understand which questions matter most in the area of women+ health in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Many important health issues affecting women+ have not been fully studied, and priorities may differ based on people’s lived experiences, roles, and communities. This study aims to ensure that future health research reflects the needs and perspectives of those it is meant to serve.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. We are sharing podcast episodes that explore the realities of living with endometriosis, helping to deepen understanding of how the condition affects people’s daily lives.

Several Canadian podcasts have highlighted the stories of folks living with this condition, as well as the work of researchers and doctors in the field.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and we will be sharing resources, short films, and podcasts about living with endometriosis throughout the month.

Did you know, that nine in 10 people in Canada have a least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke? And that women face unique risk factors across their life stages?

The IWK Foundation has released a podcast bringing to light the gap in women’s health research and how this impacts women. This podcast tackles how the study of the human body has defaulted to the male body. This has resulted in a lack of understanding of sex-based biological differences and results in fewer available and less effective treatments for women.

Hormone Replacement Therapy can help reduce moderate to severe symptoms of perimenopause and menopause for those experiencing them. It is a form of Hormone Therapy (HT), which refers to a treatment that blocks, adds, or removes hormones to have a beneficial medical impact for treating a variety of things (e.g., breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid conditions, growth syndromes, fertility treatments, gender affirming care).  

Menstruation: “The normal monthly shedding of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus when pregnancy does not occur. During menstruation, menstrual blood and tissue flow from the uterus through the cervix and pass out of the body through the vagina.” (National Cancer Institute)

Anyone who menstruates will tell you that managing a period takes effort and money. Aside from dealing with discomforts such as cramps, headaches, cravings/aversions, and mood swings, people who menstruate must also invest time (and money) to find which period products work best for them.