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History

 

The concept of Canadian Menopause Society / Société Canadienne de Ménopause (CMS/SCM, formerly, SIGMA Canadian Menopause Society) was first raised over a decade ago following the publication of the first Menopause Consensus document in 1994. For two years, concerted efforts were made to develop a multidisciplinary group within the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, but for various reasons this did not come to fruition. Nevertheless, the idea continued to be nurtured over the years, and in January 2008 an independent, multidisciplinary group was formed, consisting of family physicians and specialists interested in menopausal and postmenopausal health.

CMS/SCM was launched in May 2008 in Madrid, Spain, at the 12th World Congress on Menopause sponsored by the International Menopause Society (IMS). At that meeting, our founding members, listed here, began the work of establishing this multidisciplinary group.

  • Elaine E. Jolly, MD, OC, FRCS(C)
  • Chui Kin Yuen, MD, FRCS(C), FACOG, MBA
  • David Kendler MD, FRCP(C), ABIM
  • Céline Bouchard, MD, FRCS(C)
  • Christine Derzko, MD, FRCS(C)
  • Jennifer Blake, MD, FRCS(C), BSc.
  • Michel Fortier, MD, FRCS(C)

We met with the Executive and Board of IMS and discussed our Canadian vision and our intention to become very active on the Canadian front. We also expressed our keen interest in working in partnership with the North American Menopause Society, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and other Canadian organizations promoting menopausal health. We applied to be part of the Council of Affiliated Menopause Societies within IMS, and became the 45th country to join this group, with Brazil joining immediately after. With this affiliation, we anticipate an excellent level of international communication and collaboration.

Meetings were also held in Madrid with Board Members of the North American Menopause Society and, in subsequent months, with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and Osteoporosis Canada.

CMS/SCM is modelled after the North American Menopause Society, which is distinguished by its multidisciplinary approach. To this, we will add the Canadian content to menopausal health in Canada. More importantly, we will provide comprehensive, up-to-date information on menopause and aging.