Two years ago, registered nurse Maureen McGrath hosted her first Hot Flash in the City at Vancity Theatre in Vancouver.
The frank, educational talk about women's sexual health was a hit with the sold-out crowd. "The feedback we got was that all women should hear this," said McGrath, host of the CKNW radio program Sunday Night Sex Show.
This month, Hot Flash returns not only to Vancouver but also for audiences in West Vancouver and Coquitlam.
And for her Evergreen Cultural Centre show next Wednesday, McGrath will have another radio personality on stage: CKPM 98.7's Cathy Cena of the Catching Up With Cathy program.
The pair hopes to see a good turnout of women aged 35 and up — that is, ladies entering perimenopause as well as those experiencing the full climacteric and beyond.
Everything will be on the table: from vaginal atrophy, hormones and lubrication to bladder and bowel control.
Often, intimate relationships suffer because couples are unable to broach such sensitive topics. As a result, "women suffer in silence," McGrath said, "and they shouldn't have to. There are treatment options out there to be had."
But the enlightening night is not only for women: McGrath will also raise men's sexual health topics like erectile dysfunction and low libido.
The up-to-date information is especially useful for healthcare practitioners because "they need to stay current and have the best guidelines available."
She points to the event title sponsor Gynatrof, the only non-hormonal vaginal lubricant gel that's approved by Health Canada. McGrath said it's products like these that give couples choices.
McGrath said she'll open the floor afterward to take questions from the crowd.
• Hot Flash in the City is a 3.5-hour event on Nov. 18 that includes a reception with wine and appetizers and the screening of the documentary Hot Flash Havoc. Tickets at $30 are available through eventbrite (use the promo code "Facebook" to get $10 off).
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A Q&A with Maureen McGrath:
What can you tell me about Hot Flash in the City?
It is an inspirational, educational, health and networking event for women where men are welcome too! The documentary Hot Flash Havoc will be presented which is a provocative and enlightening look at the confusion and misrepresentations regarding menopause. It is the first film to address the issue of menopause head-on. It is laugh out loud funny with new medical information and lots of humour! More information and understanding will help people to understand sexual health, overall health and relationships at menopause. If you are a woman, love a woman or live with a woman, this is a must attend event.
Why was this something you wanted to offer?
I held this event 2 years ago at the Van City Theatre in Vancouver to a sold out crowd. At that event, many women told me they had been experiencing vaginal dryness, painful sex and leakage of urine and these issues were negatively affecting their relationship. Their doctors did not know what to do and often dismissed their complaints telling them that they should expect their vaginas to dry up or that after menopause many people don't have sex. This is simply not true. I have had many requests from women all over the province to hold it again. The time was right. Women were telling me they had to go through many hoops to find the right treatment for their menopause related issues. The information they were receiving from friends, the internet and even some health care providers was inaccurate and at times detrimental. Women were paying exorbitant amounts of money for false hope. Through my clinical practice, I could see that it was time to raise more awareness about women's health at menopause and beyond! Sexual health is still such a taboo subject yet women and men are desperate for this information. I will be presenting on some of the more common sexual health issues and treatment strategies for both. This is much needed education.
Who is the event tailored towards?
Perimenopausal, menopausal and post menopausal women experiencing quality of life issues like hot flashes, night sweats, mood issues, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, bladder leaks and/or low libido to name a few! Health care providers from nurses, to physiotherapists, pharmacist to doctors to care aides are welcome and are sure to benefit so that they may pass the information on to their patients. This event is geared toward women or anyone who lives with or treats women. Men are welcome too!
Are these issues tough for some women to discuss?
Yes, many of these issues like urinary incontinence, prolapse and leakage of urine are embarrassing and may make some women feel old and "less than sexy. " Most of these subjects are not dinner table talk. Women do not realize there a number of treatment options and that they don't need to live with leaking urine, prolapse or low libido. Many people who experience these issues may be suffering from anxiety or depression because they have isolated themselves. That makes it that much more difficult to discuss. According to The CLOSER (CLarifying Vaginal Atrophy's Impact On SEx and Relationships) Survey: Implications of Vaginal Discomfort in Postmenopausal Women and in Male Partners, Vaginal discomfort has an adverse emotional and physical impact on the sexual health and intimate relationships. Most North American postmenopausal women experience loss of libido, avoid intimacy and cease having sex altogether. Most couples don't discuss this issue and many men attribute the loss of libido to the woman having an extramarital affair.
Why is it important that they do so?
Many of these health concerns are so embarrassing that women don't discuss them with friends or even their doctor. It takes a woman on average 7 years to see her doctor about urinary incontinence for example. This may lead to isolation and depression because they are afraid they will leak urine if they go out or may not be in close range of a bathroom. Many patients tell me that they know where every bathroom is on the North Shore. Some women may experience leakage of urine at orgasm. You can only imagine how embarrassed a women would be especially if she found herself back on the dating scene in her forties for example. It is not uncommon for women to have low libido at this time of life and this may impact their sexual self esteem and their relationships. It is important for women to know that these are common complaints and there are many conservative measures to help them. For example frequency and urgency may be helped by bladder retraining or urge suppression. Pelvic organ prolapse may be helped by the use of a pessary. Vaginal dryness is very common and may lead to painful sex and low sexual desire. Personal moisturizers like Repagyn may help. The condition vaginal atrophy amy be helped by Gynatrof, hormone-free moisturizer and lubricant that is approved by Health Canada. Knowledge is power and women feel empowered when they know that they are not alone and they have options for treatments. Women need accurate up to date information to ensure safe and appropriate health care.
What do you hope audience members walk away with?
Better informed and educated about this transitional time of life. I have worked with some of the best doctors and it will be great for the audience to have access to these doctors and ask any question they like and receive accurate up to date information. I hope that they come away with an Increased understanding of the benefits and risks associated with estrogen, a better understanding of their sexuality and libido and how they can improve their sexual desire to ensure their relationships are the best they can be. The knowledge and understanding that there are many treatment choices for urinary incontinence, prolapse and low libido. I hope women feel more confident about discussing these issues with their doctor and feel better about the choices they make for their bodies and themselves. I hope women feel comfortable enough so that they share their knowledge with their sisters, daughters, colleagues and friends.
Who else will be joining you in the presentation?
I will present on menopause, libido, incontinence, vaginal health, desire, and sexual health for men and women. Catching up with Cathy Cathy Cena will emcee the event.
How did you get into this type of work and what do you enjoy most about it?
I have had the honour of working with the esteemed Dr. Stephen Kaye an obstetrician/gynaecologist at Lion's Gate Hospital specializing in pelvic floor disorders. He is top in the field and has been a mentor, colleague, teacher and friend to me for fifteen years. He has taught me so much and it was through his mentorship and support that I have been able to educate many female patients and truly change lives. An educator at heart, I love life and people and am inspired every day to provide information and treatment to improve quality of life. This is great and necessary work.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
Tyros Biopharma, makers of Gynatrof a hormone-free product for vagnal atrophy is the Gold Sponsor for Hot Flash in the City. These are very important, vital and enlightening events. We have many sponsors. We had a number of sponsors who will be there to provide solutions during the cocktail reception that goes from 6-7 pm. Hot Flash Havoc the movie will begin at 7:15 followed by Health presentations and then a question and answer period. My website is www.backtothebedroom.ca Follow me on twitter:@back2thebedroom I host the CKNW Sunday Night Sex Show on 980 am every Sunday Night from 8-9 pm. A donation will be made to the BC Alzheimer's Society and EVA BC (Ending Violence Association) as I am passionate about raising awareness and ending violence against women. My private practices are in North Vancouver and in Vancouver.
Do you have any other upcoming events?
• Nov. 17: Hot Flash in The City in West Vancouver at the Kay Meek Centre
• Nov. 19: Hot Flash in The City will be held at the Scotia Theatre. Lynda Steele afternoon host on CKNW will join me at emcee.
• Nov. 21: Ladies Night at Cloverdale Pharmacy in Surrey from 6-10 pm. Hot Flash Havoc: Vaginal, Sexual and Hormone Health at Midlife.
• Dec. 4: Trial Lawyer's Association Annual Meeting at the Fairmont Hotel Waterfront on Capturing the Loss in Personal Injury: The Medical Legal Challenge.
