Sisters, friends…keeping the communication channels open

Posted by Liz on Jul 5, 2013 in humour, women's health | 1 comment

When life piles, who do you turn to? Your sister? Your friends? The internet?

Without them I would be lost.

When I first started penning this blog, I ran across a small study. While many in scientific circles would refer to it as a pilot study, with findings that are inconsequential because of the small numbers, I am here to declare loudly and broadly that small and anecdotal sometime rule the day!

What type of resources do you rely on? And where do you turn for information or support?  And, who should you turn to when available information is seemingly overwhelming and inconsistent, and medical expertise is unavailable?A friend recently commented that the type of resources available to women living in rural areas are very different than those available to women living in urban areas. Hence, the ability to access knowledgeable practitioners or even find trusted sources of information really depends on where you live.

This has been borne out by results of a study conducted among 25 menopausal women living in rural areas of Nova Scotia. Participants described a need to understand the intensity of their symptoms but often found it difficult to sift through “excessive and conflicting” information on the web. This was further compounded by the lack of trusting relationships with healthcare providers due to their scarcity and also, the fact that local facilities failed to retain good people.

The researchers explain that women who participated in this study drew heavily on shared experiences and the ability to communicate freely and openly with women who were going through similar things. More often than not, they continuously sought validation from their peers to avoid feeling confused and alone. And found that a great way to deal menopause was through humour.

Whether a woman resides in rural Nova Scotia or New York City, a sense of community, mixed with open communication and a little bit of humour, can go a long way. She who laughs with others…lasts.