Women's Health

Contraception isn’t just her job

The current contraceptive landscape places a disproportionate amount of physical and mental burden for pregnancy prevention on women. But what about men?

Breathing for both of us

I walked into the obstetrics unit – 36 weeks pregnant, out of breath and scared. I had been here before, but this time was different.

HPV vaccination more than just women’s health issue

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination historically has been framed as a women’s health topic, but a gender-neutral approach to prevention may boost health benefits for both females and males.

Canada’s next government must prioritize perinatal mental health

Perinatal mental health should remain a political priority for the next government. There is substantial urgency to act so that people at risk can get the help they need.

My birth sex is part of my medical history; it should be as private as the rest of my medical history

Insisting on primary birth sex identification for trans people does little to improve the health of trans and gender diverse persons; it merely exchanges one theoretical set of adverse health care outcomes for others that are definite and far more impactful.

Pregnancy with HIV: Breaking down barriers and overcoming stigma

Maria's experience highlights the need for better training on HIV management in maternity care. No woman should feel like an outsider or unwanted during the very time when she is bringing life into the world.

‘I wish he would have just hit me’: Bill criminalizing ‘insidious’ form of domestic abuse dies with prorogation

Coercive control, a form of intimate partner violence, was nearly criminalized in Canada before parliament was prorogued on Jan. 6. Will new Parliament revive it?

‘Nobody prepares you for this part of the journey’: Four women discuss life after breast cancer

Breast cancer rates are increasing for women in their 20s to 40s. Four women share how life looks after breast cancer and how they contended with challenges they never saw coming.

‘I shouldn’t be feeling suicidal every month’: Searching for answers for women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder

For women living with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, every month is a fight for survival.

Should pregnant women take omega-3 supplements? The truth is, it depends

A simple question – should pregnant women take an omega-3 supplement – provokes a very complex answer.

‘Your body, my choice’: American politics and the looming threat to reproductive freedoms in Canada

It is incumbent on us to engage with and defend reproductive rights, because of and despite what is happening in the United States.

Body autonomy: Our right to health

"We, like men, want to have control over our bodies and our own health. I want that for myself, for my daughters and for the female and female-identifying patients I work with.​​"

‘Menstrual hygiene products are a basic necessity’: Addressing accessibility gaps for people with disabilities

Public awareness campaigns must be tailored to address the unique menstrual health needs of individuals with disabilities, including the financial burden of menstrual products.

Privilege. Blame. Allyship. Reflecting on reconciliation as a non-Indigenous physician

CMA president Joss Reimer writes, "As individuals, we may not be responsible for what happened in the past. But we are responsible for what happens in the future."

Access to abortion is not just a matter of health, it is a matter of basic human rights

The U.S. Supreme Court has abandoned its duty to protect the rights of women. We must ensure that every woman can enjoy reproductive freedom on both sides of the border.

Childbirth PTSD is all too common. AI may help remove stigma and improve care

Listening to patient voices is crucial, but physicians can sometimes overlook details that could lead to an important diagnosis. AI can help.

People with disabilities account for 13% of all pregnancies, but their needs are invisible

People with disabilities need inclusive, accessible pregnancy care that treats them with respect, dignity and acceptance.

Street harassment is not a joke or a nuisance, it’s a public health threat

Street harassment is often framed as a women’s issue rather than a public health concern. But it can have lasting impacts on adolescents.

Simple finger-prick blood test could help women with debilitating condition

A Canadian company is working to perfect a simple, finger-prick blood test that would revolutionize the diagnosis of endometriosis.

‘Just a pinch’: Women frustrated as medical community downplays pain of IUD insertion

Thousands of TikTok rants, viral tweets, petitions and peer-reviewed studies have documented the insufficient pain relief offered for IUD insertions. So, what is the response from Canadian medicine to this outcry? Practically nothing.