Elena was only 30 years old when she first experienced symptoms of menopause. She was on a cruise with her boyfriend when suddenly she was hit by waves of nausea, a pounding heart and overheating. When others on the cruise came down with a stomach bug, she chalked her symptoms up to a combination of the flu, heat and seasickness.
Her boyfriend proposed on the cruise, and they came home excited to plan for their future together.
But when Elena got home, the symptoms persisted. Then her period, which had always been regular, started to fluctuate. Concerned that something was wrong, she contacted her doctor and received her devastating diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) — a term that refers to when a woman under 40 goes through menopause.
Elena, who wanted to have children, learned that she wouldn’t have much time to try to conceive and was advised to see a fertility specialist. For a year and a half, Elena underwent in vitro fertilization treatment, until her and her now husband were told they had lost their last viable embryo.
“When it didn’t come through, that’s when I hit a very dark point. I mourned the greatest death. But as time passes, you make peace with things.“
— Elena, Patient Ambassador
While processing this grief, Elena was experiencing significant hormonal shifts and symptoms of menopause: hot flashes, headaches and sleeplessness. She was only 35.
That’s when she was referred to Dr. Lindsey Shirreff at the now Weston and O’Born Centre for Mature Women’s Health. Through monthly visits, Dr. Shirreff helped Elena find the treatment plan that worked best for her.
“I wish every woman had the opportunity to have her as a doctor,” says Elena. “I’ll research and I’ll ask questions. Then Dr. Shirreff will get on her own computer and we’ll research together. She’s so hands-on, and she always listens to me.”
Elena is grateful for the support she’s received from Sinai Health as she navigates a complex, often misunderstood condition. That’s why she’s excited about the historical gift made to the Weston and O’Born Centre for Mature Women’s Health earlier this year. Supported by a generous community of donors, the Centre aims to address the gaps in care that so many Canadian women experience when it comes to menopause and conditions like POI.
“This work is so important because, in general, doctors are not taught a lot about menopause,” says Elena. “The support system here at Mount Sinai Hospital is huge, and it needs to be shared with more women.”