Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Canadians face high costs and limited access to menopause care
Angela Rimmer spent more than $5,000 on private menopause care after symptoms affected her ability to work and care for her family in Ontario.
Her treatment included hormone therapy, appointments, tests and prescriptions, which she paid for herself because her province does not cover them.
Many Canadian women face barriers to getting care, including a shortage of family doctors, long waits for specialists and limited menopause training among doctors.
More than five million Canadian women are aged 40 to 60, and most will experience menopause symptoms, but four in 10 women do not know where to seek treatment, according to a survey cited in the story.
Only British Columbia and Manitoba cover menopause hormone therapy, while newer nonhormonal medicines are not fully covered by the public system.
Private clinics have emerged to meet demand, but their prices and standards of care vary, and some treatments may not be safe or effective.
The lack of public access is raising concern about a two-tier health system, with experts calling for menopause care to be available to all Canadians.
Canadians face limited access to menopause care, with many turning to costly private clinics.
More than five million Canadian women are between 40 and 60, and most will experience menopause symptoms.
An Ipsos survey this year found that four in 10 Canadian women do not know where to seek treatment, while a third waited more than two years for effective care.
Only British Columbia and Manitoba cover menopausal hormone therapy, and newer nonhormonal medications are not fully covered by the public system.
Angela Rimmer, 42, estimates she has spent more than $5,000 on private care and treatment.
- Who
- Canadian women seeking menopause care, including Angela Rimmer.
- What
- Many face barriers to public care and pay for treatment through private clinics.
- When
- The Globe and Mail article was published on Nov. 4, 2026; the survey was conducted this year.
- Where
- Canada; Rimmer sought care in the London, Ont., area.
- Why
- The article cites scarce public services, shortages of family physicians, gaps in doctors’ training, long specialist waits and limited public coverage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Rimmer says a family doctor misdiagnosed her symptoms and wanted to prescribe antidepressants.
She turned to two private clinics for menopause hormone therapy.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada warned that a two-tiered health system was emerging.
An Ipsos survey for GreenShield found that four in 10 Canadian women did not know where to seek treatment.
The Globe and Mail published its report on the cost and availability of menopause care.
- Rimmer’s estimated spending
- More than $5,000
- Initial clinic assessment
- $600
- Follow-up appointment
- $200 every six months
- Prescription costs
- About $120 per month
- Provinces covering menopausal hormone therapy
- British Columbia and Manitoba
What people are saying
I just wish that I didn’t have to access this through private. I wish that it was in the public system, because we’re having to pay so much,
a two-tiered health system is emerging in which women are forced to pay for basic health care that should be free.