What you can do to lower your breast cancer risk (it's more nuanced than you think)
Research supports several lifestyle factors that can meaningfully reduce breast cancer risk: 5+ daily servings of fruits and vegetables, plenty of fiber (every 5g/day increment is linked to a 9% lower mortality risk), unsaturated fats, 150+ minutes of weekly exercise, healthy weight, and no tobacco. Alcohol is worth a specific callout — any amount increases risk. And contrary to what you may have heard, soy and ground flaxseed are actually protective, not harmful. These factors are nuanced and won't look the same for everyone, so they're worth a conversation with your provider. [Last week's post on breast screening →]
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Breast health screening, density and when it should happen!
Ontario quietly updated mammogram screening guidelines in 2024, women are now eligible from age 40, no referral needed. But that's not the only thing worth knowing. Your mammogram report also includes a breast density grade (A–D) that affects your screening protocol and health decisions. Here's what it means.
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So what do I do, if I have heavy menstrual bleeding?
Heavy menstrual bleeding is common, but it's not something you just have to live with. The first step is ruling out underlying causes like fibroids, polyps, or thyroid issues, and checking your iron levels. Iron deficiency from heavy bleeding can quietly affect your energy, mood, and overall health.
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Your Menstrual Flow: What does heavy mean and why does it matter?
Vaginal and urinary changes during perimenopause and menopause are extremely common, yet often go unspoken. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) can cause dryness, irritation, discomfort with intimacy, and urinary symptoms, affecting up to 100% of women, though only 14% discuss it with their provider.
Effective treatments exist: vaginal moisturizers hydrate and support tissue health, vaginal estrogen safely restores local estrogen and improves function, and lubricants can reduce friction during intimacy. These symptoms don’t have to be endured, talking with your healthcare provider is the first step toward relief.
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The Overlooked Side of Menopause: Vaginal Health Matters
Vaginal and urinary changes during perimenopause and menopause are extremely common, yet often go unspoken. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) can cause dryness, irritation, discomfort with intimacy, and urinary symptoms, affecting up to 100% of women, though only 14% discuss it with their provider.
Effective treatments exist: vaginal moisturizers hydrate and support tissue health, vaginal estrogen safely restores local estrogen and improves function, and lubricants can reduce friction during intimacy. These symptoms don’t have to be endured, talking with your healthcare provider is the first step toward relief.
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Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Part 8: How To Accurately Track Ovulation
Learn about the phases of your menstrual cycle, what’s normal, what’s not normal, what to expect, and next steps to address your symptoms. Empower yourself with knowledge about your period and the menstrual cycle.
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Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Part 6: What Is HRT and MHT And Is It Right For Me?
Learn about the phases of your menstrual cycle, what’s normal, what’s not normal, what to expect, and next steps to address your symptoms. Empower yourself with knowledge about your period and the menstrual cycle.
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Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Part 6: Where Do Oral Contraceptive or IUD Fit Into This?
Learn about the phases of your menstrual cycle, what’s normal, what’s not normal, what to expect, and next steps to address your symptoms. Empower yourself with knowledge about your period and the menstrual cycle.
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Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Part 5: Does The Length Of My Cycle Matter?
Learn about the phases of your menstrual cycle, what’s normal, what’s not normal, what to expect, and next steps to address your symptoms. Empower yourself with knowledge about your period and the menstrual cycle.
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Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Part 4: The Luteal Phase
Learn about the phases of your menstrual cycle, what’s normal, what’s not normal, what to expect, and next steps to address your symptoms. Empower yourself with knowledge about your period and the menstrual cycle.
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Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle Part 3: Ovulation
Learn about the phases of your menstrual cycle, what’s normal, what’s not normal, what to expect, and next steps to address your symptoms. Empower yourself with knowledge about your period and the menstrual cycle.
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Menopause & You: Why a Multidisciplinary Approach to Care Matters
The human body is incredibly complex. Hormones, cells, and neurotransmitters don't work in isolation. They’re constantly interacting with a host of other factors, from genetics and nutrition to sleep, stress, trauma, and even our social environment. When it comes to health, especially chronic or transitional conditions, there's rarely a single cause or cure. Instead, a web of influences can shape how we experience and respond to what’s happening in our bodies. Let’s dive in.
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