Black Women’s Menopause

“African American women experience distinct differences
in physical, psychological, social,
and quality of life measures during menopause”.1

Umbrella

What may the Black Women’s Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Change of Life
  • Early Menopause
  • Going Through the Menopause
  • Induced Menopause
  • Menopausal/Menopause Transition
  • Menopause
  • Natural Menopause
  • Perimenopause
  • Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause
  • Postmenopause
  • Premature Menopause
  • Second Half of Your Life
  • Surgical Menopause
  • The Change
  • The Change of Life
  • The Menopause Years
  • The Menopause-Related Years
  • The Three Stages of Menopause
  • Turning St Catherine’s Corner

Definition

What is menopause?

DotS the definition of menopause may vary. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“Menopause is your final menstrual period. If you haven’t had a period for 12 months, you’ve reached menopause”.2

Menopause Experience

What is known about black women’s experiences in menopause?

In A Review of African American Women’s Experiences In Menopause: Importance and Objective, published November 2022, the authors explain:

“Little is known and reported about the experiences of African American women as they transition to and experience menopause. Accepted norms are based on the experience of a predominantly White population”.3

Different Differences

Do black women have unique experiences in menopause?

In A Review of African American Women’s Experiences In Menopause: Discussion and Conclusion the authors also note:

Black Women’s Menopause“African American women experience distinct differences in physical, psychological, social, and quality of life measures during menopause. Increasing awareness about the unique menopause experiences of African American women is critically important to improve the health of this underserved population”.4

Menopause Age

Is there an association between Black women and menopause age?

In Menopause Is Different for Women of Color the author elaborates on:

“In the US, the median age for reaching menopause (the point at which a person has gone for 12 consecutive months without a period) is 51. The research in SWAN shows that Black women reach menopause at 49, two years earlier than the national median age”.5

Vasomotor Symptoms

Is there an association between Black women and vasomotor symptoms defined as hot flashes and night sweats?

In The Menopause Transition and Women’s Health At Midlife: A Progress Report From the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN): Symptoms and Mental Health – Vasomotor Symptoms: Box 2 – Take-Home Messages: Symptoms and Mental Health the authors include:

“Vasomotor Symptoms

  • Black women have the highest prevalence, longest duration, and are most bothered by their vasomotor symptoms, whereas Asian women have the lowest vasomotor symptoms prevalence”.6

On page 22 in Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2020 – 2021: E. Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice – Menopause the BWHI elaborate on:Black Women National Health Policy Agenda 2020-2021

“After menopause, for example, one of the most common discomforts is hot flashes, characterized by sudden feelings of warmth that spread over the upper body, often with blushing and sweating. Even there, the differences are stark. White women experience hot flashes for around 6.5 years after their final period, while for Latinas it’s 8.9 years, and for Black women it’s 10 years”.7

Same or Not

Do all women experience the same menopause?

No. Menopause is not one-size-fits-all. Although all women have a FMP, different women experience different symptoms, at different times, in different ways, for different lengths of time, before and after their FMP.

In Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Menopause – Symptoms the (British) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guideline, the NICE elaborate on:

“Menopause affects every woman differently. You may have no symptoms at all, or they might be brief and short lived. For some women they are severe and distressing.

You can still get menopause symptoms if you have had a hysterectomy (an operation to remove your womb).

Other natural changes as you age can be intensified by menopause. For example, you may lose some muscle strength and have a higher risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease”.8

SWAN Study

What was included in the Conclusion in Disparities In Reproductive Aging and Midlife Health Between Black and White Women: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), published 08 February 2022?

Included in the Conclusion Disparities In Reproductive Aging and Midlife Health Between Black and White Women: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN): Conclusion the authors elaborate on:

“As summarized in this review, SWAN has documented that Black women’s experience of reproductive aging differs from that of White women and that Black women enter midlife with a more adverse cardio-metabolic profile and more physical limitations. Consequently, early interventions on blood pressure, LDL, and waist circumference in midlife may be key to reducing Black women’s CVD risk, as would reductions in the disparities in treatment for hypertension. Increased attention to the role of structural factors and discrimination on midlife health is also warranted”.9

Perimenopause

How may Black women transition through perimenopause?

In Menopause Is Different for Women of Color: What Does This Mean for Women of Color? the author explains:

“You may be experiencing perimenopause symptoms sooner than you expected to. Now is a good time to find a gynecologist who specializes in menopause who can help you through this transition. For many women, perimenopause is a critical opportunity to make some lifestyle changes to support your health through the latter half of your life. It’s time to start putting yourself first, so you can serve as the elder your community needs”.10

Health Care ProviderBlack Women’s Menopause

What if I would like help with my menopause?

If you would like help with your menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In About Menopause: When To See Your Doctor the JH explain:

“Talk to your doctor if you are worried about:

  • Irregular periods
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Bleeding after menopause
  • Increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms
  • Menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, that interfere with your daily life”.11

The (United States) Mayo Clinic encourage us to seek help:

“Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your healthcare professional about your choices and the risks and benefits of each. Review your choices yearly. Your needs and the treatment choices may change”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Black Women’s Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Black Women’s Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Black Women’s Menopause

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. A Review of African American Women’s Experiences In Menopause
  2. ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]
  3. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  4. BMS TV: Menopause Explained
  5. BMS TV: Menopause – Weight Gain, Nutrition and Lifestyle
  6. Black Menopausal Women Almost 5 Times Less Likely To Be on HRT Than White Women
  7. Black Women’s Health Imperative
  8. Black Women’s Health Imperative Anniversary Week, 23-29 September 2024
    Black Women’s Menopause
  9. Black Women’s Health Imperative Anniversary Week, 23-29 September 2024: Power In the Pause
    Black Women’s Menopause
  10. Black Women’s Health Imperative Anniversary Week, 23-29 September 2024: We Are Not Broken [24 September 2024]
  11. Black Women’s Health Study
  12. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  13. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Menopause Experience
  14. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  15. Correction: Disparities In Reproductive Aging and Midlife Health Between Black and White Women: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
  16. Diagnosing Menopause
  17. Does Everyday Discrimination Account for the Increased Risk of Vasomotor Symptoms In Black Women?: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
  18. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Benefits of Oral Combined MHT for Estrogen Deficiency Symptoms Treatment (EN)
  19. Fibroids.bwhi.org
    Black Women’s Health
  20. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  21. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society]
  22. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  23. Forward [Foundation of Women’s Health Research and Development, United Kingdom]
  24. Good Heart Health In Middle Age May Preserve Brain Function Among Black Women As They Age
  25. Hormone Therapy: Four Things A Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Specialist Wants You To Know [02 May 2024] [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network. Name Super/CG: Taryn Smith, M.D./Internal Medicine/Mayo Clinic]
  26. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  27. Hot Flashes
  28. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  29. How Does Race Affect Menopause Care?
  30. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  31. How Long Will I Have Hot Flashes and What Causes Them?
  32. How To Know If You Are In Menopause
  33. How Menopause Impacts Your Health
  34. I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E9: The Menopause. Can Every Woman That Wants It Have HRT?
  35. Is It Too Late To Start HRT?
  36. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  37. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  38. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause] [Other Languages and Formats]
  39. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP] [Other Languages and Formats]
  40. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  41. Making Menopause Work
  42. Managing Your Symptoms
  43. Mastering Midlife Mood Changes With Marlene Freeman, MD
  44. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  45. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  46. Mayo Clinic Minute: Perimenopause and Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  47. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns
  48. Menopause
  49. Menopause
  50. Menopause
  51. Menopause Hormone Therapy and Complementary Alternative Medicine, Quality of Life, and Racial/Ethnic Differences: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
  52. Menopause Is Different for Women of Color
  53. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Black Women’s Menopause
  54. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Black Women’s Menopause
  55. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  56. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 5. Lifestyle Advice In Menopause & Perimenopause
  57. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: What Is Menopause?
  58. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  59. Menopause Signs and Symptoms
  60. Menopause and Diabetes
  61. Menopause and Mental Health
  62. Menopause – Multiply Languages
  63. Menopause – The Change – Booklet
  64. Menopause: Things You Can Do
  65. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  66. Menopause: Unexpected Symptoms Catch Women By Surprise
  67. Menstrual Calendar
  68. Mood and the Menopause
  69. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  70. Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
  71. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  72. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  73. New Menopause Information for First Nations Communities [Australia]
  74. Perimenopause
  75. Perimenopause
  76. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  77. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  78. Periods Information Hub
  79. Postmenopause
  80. Power In the Pause Knowledge Is Power! Take the Quiz [Black Women’s Health Imperative]
  81. Racial Disparities In Menopause
  82. Shedding Light on the Menopause Experience and Demystifying Treatment [28 August 2024]
  83. Surprising Menopause Symptoms Revisited | Dr Louise Newson
  84. Systematic Exclusion At Study Commencement Masks Earlier Menopause for Black Women In the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
  85. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  86. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  87. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  88. Video Resource: Menopause and Healthy Living – What Is Early Menopause? [Multiple Languages]
  89. Video Resource: Menopause and Healthy Living – What Is Menopause? [Multiple Languages]
  90. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  91. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Metabolic Syndrome in Midlife Women
  92. Webinars: Previous – Menopausal Migraines
  93. Webinars: Previous – Skin and Connective Tissue Ageing at the Time of the Menopause
  94. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  95. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  96. What To Expect In Each Stage of Menopause
  97. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
  98. Why is Bleeding so Heavy?
  99. Why Is FSH Not Needed for Diagnosis of Menopause
  100. World GO Day [World Gynecologic Oncology Day, 20 September 2024]
    Black Women’s Menopause
  101. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Williams, M.; Richard-Davis, G., Williams, P. L.; Christensen, L.; Ward, E.; Schrager, S. A Review of African American Women’s Experiences In Menopause: Importance and Objective. November 2022. https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract/2022/11000/A_review_of_African_American_women_s_experiences.16.aspx Accessed: 21 September 2024
  2. What Is Menopause? Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause: Menopause. Last Updated: 19 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 21 September 2024
  3. Williams, M.; Richard-Davis, G., Williams, P. L.; Christensen, L.; Ward, E.; Schrager, S. A Review of African American Women’s Experiences In Menopause: Discussion and Conclusion. November 2022. https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract/2022/11000/A_review_of_African_American_women_s_experiences.16.aspx Accessed: 21 September 2024
  4. Williams, M.; Richard-Davis, G., Williams, P. L.; Christensen, L.; Ward, E.; Schrager, S. A Review of African American Women’s Experiences In Menopause: Importance and Objective. November 2022. https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract/2022/11000/A_review_of_African_American_women_s_experiences.16.aspx Accessed: 21 September 2024
  5. Velez, A. Menopause Is Different for Women of Color. 10 March 2021. https://www.endocrineweb.com/menopause-different-women-color Accessed: 21 September 2024
  6. El Khoudary, S. R. et al. The Menopause Transition and Women’s Health At Midlife: A Progress Report From the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN): Symptoms and Mental Health – Vasomotor Symptoms: Box 2 – Take-Home Messages: Symptoms and Mental Health. Published Online: 26 October 2019 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6784846/ Accessed: 21 September 2024
  7. Black Women Vote: National Health Policy Agenda 2020 – 2021: E. Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice – Menopause, 2020:22. Black Women’s Health Initiative https://bwhi.org/2020/10/27/black-womens-health-imperative-releases-national-health-policy-agenda/ Accessed: 21 September 2024
  8. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Menopause – Symptoms. Published Date: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/Menopause Accessed: 25 May 2024
  9. Harlow, S.D., Burnett-Bowie, SA.M., Greendale, G.A. et al. Disparities In Reproductive Aging and Midlife Health Between Black and White women: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Women’s Midlife Health 8, 3 (2022) https://womensmidlifehealthjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40695-022-00073-y Accessed: 21 September 2024
  10. Velez, A. Menopause Is Different for Women of Color. 10 March 2021. https://www.endocrineweb.com/menopause-different-women-color Accessed: 21 September 2024
  11. What Is Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 19 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 21 September 2024
  12. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 21 September 2024
Last Updated: 21 September 2024 – Last Revised: 21 September 2024

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