Navigating Menopause

Audience: All faculty and staff at UBC Vancouver and Okanagan are welcome to attend.

Format: Zoom webinar.

About this webinar:

Join UBC faculty from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Melanie Atlas and Dr. Lori Brotto, along with other expert speakers for this special webinar on navigating the physical and emotional aspects of menopause.

Many people believe that menopause is solely about hot flashes, that it signals the end of a woman’s sexuality, or that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is universally harmful. This session will address these and other misconceptions, offering a clearer understanding of menopause. Various treatment options will be introduced that can be effective in managing common menopausal symptoms. This session aims to empower individuals by breaking down the myths that often create fear or confusion and promoting a more informed, positive approach to menopause.

Dr. Melanie Atlas, Director of BC Centre for Vulvar Health (BCCVH) and gynaecologist, will dispel common myths and misconceptions about menopause and provide accurate, research-based knowledge.

Dr. Lori Brotto, Registered Psychologist and Executive Director for the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI), will give an overview of the psychological, cognitive, and sexual health aspects of peri- and post menopause with an emphasis on evidence-based approaches to address these issues.

In addition, you will learn about:

Myths on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and natural supplements
The potential impacts of menopause in the workplace and creative modifications that can help support individuals in staying at work while experiencing menopause
The benefits under the Extended Health Plan available to UBC faculty and staff experiencing menopause

Important notes:

This session will be hosted virtually on Zoom. Your cameras and microphones will remain off during the session. Attendance will be anonymous – you will not be able to see the names of the other participants.
This session will be recorded and the recording will be made available on this page after the session.
You will have the option to ask questions via the Q&A feature on Zoom. You can ask questions anonymously.
Closed captioning can be enabled.

About your panelists:

Dr. Melanie Atlas (she/her)

Dr. Melanie Altas is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN). Following medical school at the University of Toronto she finished specialty training in OB/GYN at University of British Columbia in 2007. Providing care for individuals with vulvar conditions and vulvodynia has become a primary focus of her practice. She is committed to improving access to care for individuals with vulvar pain within their own community by increasing public awareness, identifying barriers to care, as well as developing resources for community care providers. Dr Altas is a Fellow of the International Society for Study of Vulvovaginal Disease.

Dr. Lori Brotto (she/her)

Dr. Lori Brotto is a renowned figure in the field of women’s sexual health. As a Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, she holds a Canada Research Chair, focusing on developing safe and accessible treatments for prevalent sexual concerns in women. Driven by a commitment to equity, she champions the use of digital health technologies to broaden access to these treatments.

Dr. Brotto also serves as the Executive Director for the Women’s Health Research Institute, with a mandate of advancing women’s health research. Her leadership supports nearly 600 members across the province of BC in their pursuit of knowledge across all aspects of women’s health.

Recognized for her expertise, Dr. Brotto frequently appears in the media, radio, and notable documentaries, including Netflix’s “The Principles of Pleasure” and the CBC Gem network’s “The Big Sex Talk.” She has authored two mindfulness-focused books: “Better Sex Through Mindfulness” (2018) and “The Better Sex Through Mindfulness Workbook” (2022), both published by Greystone Publishing and the 2018 book appears in the New York Times top 8 sexual health books (2024). She has received a UBC Public Education Through Media award (2023).

Dr. Brotto believes in the power of personal stories and lived experiences to shape science. In her role as a Registered Psychologist in BC, she works with individuals seeking to enhance their sexual well-being.

An advocate for women’s leadership, Dr. Brotto actively encourages young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM). She engages with the public on social media platforms, including Instagram and X (@DrLoriBrotto) and TikTok (@ubcshr), where she continues to empower women and advance women’s sexual health research.

Nasheena Poonja (she/her)

Nasheena Poonja, RPh, is a clinical pharmacist and lecturer at UBC’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, working at the UBC Pharmacists Clinic. Nasheena earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from UBC and brings almost two decades of diverse experience to her current role.

After graduating, Nasheena worked as a community pharmacist, during which time she owned and operated her own pharmacy. Following this, Nasheena transitioned to the College of Pharmacists of BC, where she gained valuable insight into regulatory and professional standards. Most recently, Nasheena contributed to clinical informatics at Providence Health Care, bridging the gap between healthcare practice and technology to improve patient care.

At UBC, Nasheena is passionate about educating the next generation of pharmacists while maintaining an active role in primary care, ensuring she stays connected to the evolving needs of the healthcare system.

Leah Watson (she/her)

Leah Watson is a Workplace Accessibility Specialist in Central HR at UBC Vancouver. She provides person-centred support to employees with disabilities and ongoing medical conditions.

Megha Kadayakkara (she/her)

Megha Kadayakkara is the Benefits and Finance Associate in Central HR at UBC Vancouver. She assists faculty and staff in resolving extended health and dental benefits administration and claim issues.

This webinar is hosted by UBC Central HR – Workplace Wellbeing.

If you have any questions or require access accommodations, please email Lauren Lee at lauren.lee@ubc.ca. We will do our best to accommodate requests and note that some requests may require several weeks’ advance notice (e.g. captioning and sign language interpreting).