The Women’s Health Journey Across the Lifespan

Authors

  • Vivien Brown, MDCM, CCFP, FCFP, MSCP University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine
  • Kelsey Mills, MD, MSc, HScEd, FRCS(C), MSCP University of British Columbia, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology University of Victoria, Department of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58931/cwht.2024.2s0914

Abstract

Generally, with the onset of menses, it is reasonable to consider and provide contraceptive counselling for our patients. Despite the variability in timing of menarche for a given patient, the age of consent in Canada is 16. The age of consent is the age at which a young person can legally agree to sexual activity. Age of consent laws apply to all forms of sexual activity, ranging from kissing and fondling to penetrative intercourse. However, a 14- or 15-year-old can consent to sexual activity as long as the partner is less than 5 years older and there is no relationship of trust, authority or dependency or any other exploitation of the young person. There is also a "close in age" exception for 12- and 13-year-olds. A 12- or 13-year-old can consent to sexual activity with a partner as long as the partner is less than 2 years older and there is no relationship of trust, authority or dependency or any other exploitation of the young person. As providers of healthcare, we need to be aware of these parameters and begin counselling our patients, if appropriate, to offer options for protection from unplanned pregnancy. 

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) reaffirmed in the Contraception Consensus 2015, and later updated during the pandemic, that recommendations for screening, duration of use, follow-up assessments, and the provision of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods as first-line contraception methods should be provided. During pandemic situations, provision of family planning services must be adapted in an evidence-based fashion. For young patients, issues regarding care and counselling may include access, privacy, and timing. As health care professionals, we should be removing any barriers in order to offer care and counselling to young patients. 

Author Biographies

Vivien Brown, MDCM, CCFP, FCFP, MSCP, University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine

Dr. Vivien Brown is a family physician and author in Toronto. Educated at McGill University, she currently is appointed to the Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, holding the rank of Assistant Professor. An award winner for teaching on many levels, her major interests are in the area of health promotion and prevention for women, and continuing medical education, Adult Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Illness. The College of Family Physicians of Ontario named Dr Brown “Physician of the Year for the Region of Toronto” in 2012. She is the Past President of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada and is immediate past Vice President for North America for the Medical Women’s International Association. In March 2017, she was honored to present HPV initiatives in Canada at the UN meetings for the Commission on the Status of Women. In 2018 she was honored with the Media Award from the North American Menopause Society for her work in Women’s Health. She also received the May Cohen Award from the Federation of Medical Women of Canada for her work in Women’s Health. Her most recent book, “The New Woman’s Guide to Healthy Aging” was recently published to rave reviews. 

Kelsey Mills, MD, MSc, HScEd, FRCS(C), MSCP, University of British Columbia, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology University of Victoria, Department of Medicine

Dr. Kelsey Mills obtained her honours undergraduate degree from Mount Allison University and her medical degree and residency in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. She completed a fellowship in Mature Women’s Health at Mount Sinai Hospital, in Toronto. She obtained her Master of Science in Health Science Education at McMaster University. Dr. Mills has been a Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner (MSCP) since 2013 and has previously won the SIGMA Young Canadian Menopause Scholar Award, the NAMS/Teva Women’s Health Resident Excellence Award and the NAMS New Investigator Award. She is currently a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Victoria, BC where she has a complex menopause practice. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia and Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Victoria. In 2022 she was
elected to the Boards of the Canadian Menopause Society and Canadian Women in Medicine (CWIM).

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Published

2024-09-06

How to Cite

Brown, V., & Mills, K. (2024). The Women’s Health Journey Across the Lifespan. Canadian Women’s Health Today, 2(s09), 2–9. https://doi.org/10.58931/cwht.2024.2s0914

Issue

Special Supplement, Summer 2024

Section

Articles