Menopause, a natural phase in every woman’s life, often comes with various discomforts and symptoms. To address these challenges, digital health tools like sanoMidLife are now stepping in, aiming to provide personalized guidance and support. These tools utilize technology and scientific knowledge to bring ease during this significant life transition. But how effective are these new digital platforms and what benefits do they offer? Let’s explore.
Menopause: A Personal Journey
Moncton-based consultant Cindy Comeau, who began experiencing menopause symptoms in her late 40s, found herself navigating through these changes rather blindly. “There are so many mixed messages about menopause,” she says. 
Her experiences included hot flashes, heart palpitations, insomnia, high blood pressure, and vertigo – some of which she and her doctors initially didn’t correlate with menopause.
However, her understanding began to evolve when she signed up for sanoMidLife, a web application that tracks her symptoms and connects her with a health coach and nurse practitioner for personalized support.
Closing the Knowledge Gap
Technological tools like sanoMidLife are slowly but surely becoming more prevalent, aiding women in understanding and managing their menopause better. Trish Barbato, co-founder and board chair of the Menopause Foundation of Canada, notes, “Women have so many questions.”
The foundation aims to close the knowledge gap on menopause, help women get menopause care, and create menopause-inclusive workplaces. They have published a report highlighting the stigma surrounding menopause and its estimated annual cost to the Canadian economy of $3.5-billion.
The foundation’s findings indicate a considerable discrepancy between the expectation and reality of menopause care. A significant 77% of women trust their doctors to discuss menopause, but 72% find the information only somewhat helpful or not helpful at all. Furthermore, 40% feel their symptoms are under-treated, indicating a gap in the healthcare system’s response to their needs.
Bringing Science and Technology Together
Dr. Jeanne Bouteaud, a Montreal-based obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in menopause, emphasizes the importance of advancing science and technology in this field. Digital platforms like sanoMidLife offer an integrated approach to menopause care, combining data collection, information, and multidisciplinary services.
However, Dr. Bouteaud cautions that while apps and wearable devices such as Calm, Headspace, WHOOP, and the Oura Ring can help track symptoms related to menopause, they are “for information purposes only, they’re not diagnostic grade.”
Empowering Women and Their Loved Ones
Angela Johnson, chief executive officer of sanoLiving, explains that sanoMidLife, the first and largest digital platform for menopause in Canada, was born out of her own challenging journey through perimenopause. The platform addresses menopause and broader midlife health through a self-guided assessment, evidence-based education, health coaching, and nationwide access to licensed clinicians.
“Women who use the technology say, ‘I felt heard for the first time,’ and ‘I feel empowered,’ because they get educated along the way,” says Johnson.
As the market for menopause technology expands, more companies are entering the scene, indicating a growing recognition of the need for better support and resources for women going through menopause.
For Cindy Comeau, who still experiences hot flashes daily, these digital tools have equipped her with the knowledge to manage her symptoms and health confidently. She believes that such technologies are not just for women, but also for men, who often know little about menopause. “We all need allies to understand and support us,” she emphasizes.
