Menopause is a natural life stage that marks the end of years of menstrual cycles for women, yet the experience of it is far from universal.
For Black women, menopause often carries distinct challenges and nuances shaped by biology, culture, social context, and healthcare disparities. Years of research indicates that Black women may enter menopause earlier and experience more intense and longer-lasting symptoms than women from other groups.
Take, for instance, the hot flashes which come without warning and can fluctuate between a gentle warming of the face to a full body super hot sweat, dripping so hard it leaves pools of water running down your face, neck, chest, armpits, back and legs. Intense and leaving you feeling embarrassed, self conscious and anxiously looking for an exit to leave the room, find a bathroom and freshen up. We’ve been there too!
Black women face barriers in receiving adequate medical support during menopause. Beyond the physical, cultural perceptions of aging, strength, and womanhood which also influence how Black women understand and navigate this transition.
We believe that by placing Black women’s voices at the centre of this subject, exploring and sharing their experiences we can gain a more complete understanding of how menopause impacts their work life, social life and personal lives, not only as a medical event, but as a deeply personal journey shaped by identity, resilience, and community.
In a UK study of 1.85 million women aged 45-55, only about 5.2% of Black women were on HRT vs 23.3% of White women.
Black women are roughly five times less likely to be using HRT than White women in that age group.
A greater severity of symptoms and more frequent severe menopausal distress is just one of the many disparities experienced by Black Women.
Compared with White women, Black women have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, brain fog, and varying levels of pain during intercourse.
Earlier menopause and associated increased mortality
In the Black Women’s Health Study, among naturally menopausal Black women, those who reached menopause before age 40 had about a 34% higher overall mortality rate compared to those whose menopause occurred between ages 50-54.
Menopause Race Survey
We are working with Dr Marva Williams, a menopause counsellor, wellness educator and founder of Shhh Menopause Wellness, Donna Spense and Andrea Malcolm to compile a long over-due survey for Black Women to share their menopause experience. With the results of this survey we can address the failings, bridge the gaps and make meaningful change to the lives of women now, to ensure their future healthcare is improved.
- Improving Diagnosis and Treatment because clinicians need to be much more aware of the specific challenges and symptom profiles of diverse women inorder to provide the most appropriate holistic care.
- Reducing Health Disparities means addressing systemic factors, including racial biases in healthcare and service provision, is essential to ensuring equitable access, support and treatment.
- Empowering Women by providing accurate information tailored to diverse experiences can empower women to navigate menopause more effectively.
We ask you for 5 minutes to complete the Menopause Race Survey and help us understand your journey with menopause. Your answers to a few short questions will help us to help you and other Black women, and the services tasked with serving and supporting you. Change Starts Now. Click the survey link. We thank you sincerely.
Sojourner Enterprise 