Menopause & Mature Women’s Health Program

Menopause, Vulva and Gynecology Clinic visits

Gynecology Clinics are located in the St. Michael’s Health Centre at 61 Queen St. East, 5^th The St. Michael’s Health Centre is located on the south side of Queen St. E, across the street from the main hospital.

Surgical Services

Surgical services are located in St. Michael’s Hospital on the 5^th floor of the Cardinal Carter wing, best accessed by the Cardinal Carter north elevators.

Patients admitted to the hospital are located on the 15^th floor of the Cardinal Carter wing, best accessed by the Cardinal Carter north elevators.

Ultrasound & MRI

Surgical services are located in St. Michael’s Hospital on the 3^rd floor of the Cardinal Carter wing, best accessed by the Cardinal Carter north elevators.

Women’s Health Clinic:

• Tel: 416-867-7480
• Fax: 416-867-7478

Hours of operation

• Women’s Health Clinic: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Hospital visiting hours: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Parking

St. Michael’s offers public parking in a convenient location across from the hospital. The lot is open 24 hours, seven days a week.

The entrance is located at 209 Victoria Street on the western side of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (the Keenan Research Centre).

Other parking options

There are several other options close by, including:

• Above ground Green P parking lot located at 37 Queen St. East
• Behind Metropolitan United Church on the east side of Bond St.
• Eaton Centre, located one block west on Yonge St. at Shuter St. (enter from Shuter St.)

Menopause Management

The Menopause Clinic, directed by Dr. Marie Christakis, is a referral centre for:

• Bothersome symptoms of menopause (hot flashes, night sweats, as well as changes to mood, sleep and sexual function)
• Premature Ovarian Insufficency
• Early Menopause
• Menopause caused by cancer treatment or surgery
• Osteoporosis requiring menopause hormone therapy

We provide hormonal and/or nonhormonal treatment to suit your individual needs and health history.

Vulvar Dermatology

Our vulvar dermatology team provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of vulvar disorders including:

• lichen sclerosus
• lichen planus
• lichen simplex chronicus
• eczema or dermatitis
• psoriasis of the vulva
• vulvar/vaginal condyloma (warts)
• vulvar pre-cancer

Urogynecology

Urogynecologic care is offered to women with the following concerns:

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse, requiring surgery or pessary care
• Some bladder problems including urinary incontinence and Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Gynecologic Surgery

St Michael’s Hospital offers a wide range of gynecologic surgical care. Our team provides Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS), including robotic surgery, should the need arise.

Diagnostic Imaging (Ultrasound & MRI)

St. Michael’s Hospital offers experienced ultrasound technicians and specially trained doctors performing and reviewing all ultrasounds.

Our radiologists are also specially trained to review MRIs of the gynecologic system, including those performed at outside hospitals.

Mindfulness and Mental Health Services

Our trained social worker provides individualized care and mindfulness group courses. Current groups are tailored to patients with bothersome menopausal symptoms and chronic vulvar pain.

Dr. Marie Christakis

• Marie Christakis is the Medical Director of the Menopause & Mature Women’s Health Program at St. Michael’s Hospital.
• She received her medical degree from McMaster University and completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto.
• She completed a fellowship in Menopause and Mature Women’s Health at Mount Sinai Hospital
• She also completed fellowship training in Lower Genital Tract Disease and a Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, with a focus in population-level data analysis.
• She is an Assistant Professor in the University of Toronto Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Research interests include: menopause and obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk, menopause patient education

Dr. Dana Soroka

• Dana Soroka completed her medical school at McGill University and residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Ottawa. Following her residency she completed a two year Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstruction surgery fellowship at the University of Toronto.
• In 2005 Dr. Soroka joined the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at St. Michael’s Hospital. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto.
• Her current clinical practice focuses on assessment and management of pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic organ prolapse and urinary dysfunction.

Dr. Alysha Nensi

• Dr. Alysha Nensi is the Medical Director of Treatment of Endometrial Atypia & Malignancy (TEAM) Clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital
• She received her medical degree from Western University and completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the McMaster University.
• She completed a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital
• She also completed a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality at Queen’s University
• She is an Assistant Professor in the University of Toronto Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Her research interests include quality improvement and patient safety in gynecology, peri-operative optimization and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Her clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery, including robotic and vaginal surgery, complex hysteroscopy, colposcopy and vulvar disorders.

Nurses

• Our nurses are involved throughout the course of your care. We have nurses in the clinic who get to know you and help respond to any problems that develop.
• Dolores White, RN, performs complex pessary fittings and maintenance. She also provides specialised urogynecologic testing and mature women’s health care.

Social Worker – Nicole Schroeder

• Nicole is the social worker in the outpatient gynecology clinic and provides a variety of virtual groups for patients, as well as assisting with biopsychosocial issues. The groups consist of a variety of topics including different gynecological conditions, sexual wellbeing, and menopause and incorporates emotion regulation skills with psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy concepts and mindfulness practice. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto and is a Certified Sex Therapist (BESTCO).

Administrators

• Clerical assistants are responsible for booking clinic appointments, registering patients, and scheduling follow up appointments.
• An administrative assistant may help you book your new patient visit and arrange your surgical care.

Available classes

Perimenopause and Menopause 101 group

This single session group provides introductory information for new menopause patients to help prepare for your individualized clinic visit.

To participate in our next Perimenopause and Menopause 101 group, please email Nicole Schroeder at nicole.schroeder@unityhealth.to.

There is no charge for the group. Participants must be patients of the clinic to participate.

Other groups

Currently, we offer a variety of virtual groups that incorporate emotion regulation skills with psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy concepts and mindfulness practice.

To find out more details, please email Nicole Schroeder at nicole.schroeder@unityhealth.to.

There are no charges for the groups. Participants must be patients of the clinic to participate.

My Chart

St. Michael’s new, online patient portal can show you your test results online, along with other parts of your St. Michael’s health record. It’s a great tool to help you monitor and share your own health information, and participate in your own care. Learn more about My Chart.

Trusted online resources

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS)

NAMS is a highly esteemed nonprofit, multidisciplinary organization that credentials North American Menopause Practitioners and publishes the highest impact medical journal in the area of Menopause.

Patient Handouts

Developed by the Gynaecology Quality Improvement Collaboration, with the involvement of Dr. Marie Christakis

• Menopause Introduction
• Treatment of vasomotor symptoms
• Cost of VMS treatments
• Genitourinary syndrome of menopause
• Menopause hormone therapy
• Surgical menopause

What to bring to your clinic visit

• Health card (OHIP) and any extended hospital insurance information you may have
• A list of your medications
• Written questions

Medical learners

As St. Michael’s Hospital is an academic, teaching hospital, you may meet medical learners including Medical Students, Residents and Fellows from the University of Toronto in the clinic and at the hospital.

Physicians who wish to refer patients can:

• Fax referrals to the Gynecology Clinic at 416-867-7480
• Download referral form