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

Black Women’s MenopauseWhat is menopause?

DotS the definition of menopause may vary. In Menopause: Overview the World Health Organization’s definition is:

“Natural menopause is deemed to have occurred after 12 consecutive months without menstruation for which there is no other obvious physiological or pathological cause and in the absence of clinical intervention”.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

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”.8

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”.9

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 What Is 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”.10

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”.11

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:

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. Black Menopausal Women Almost 5 Times Less Likely To Be on HRT Than White Women
  6. Black Women’s Health Imperative
  7. Black Women’s Health Imperative Anniversary Week, 23-29 September 2024: Power In the Pause
    Black Women’s Menopause
  8. Black Women’s Health Study
  9. Black Women’s Menopause Survey
    Black Women’s Menopause
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Menopause Experience
  12. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  13. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Nutrition At Menopause and Why it Is Important
  14. Correction: Disparities In Reproductive Aging and Midlife Health Between Black and White Women: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
  15. Difference Between Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause
  16. Does Everyday Discrimination Account for the Increased Risk of Vasomotor Symptoms In Black Women?: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
  17. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Impact of Estrogen Deficiency on Quality of Life In Asia and the Role of Continuous Combined MHT In Treatment (EN)
  18. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In New Video [31 October 2024]
  19. February Is American Heart Month
    Black Women’s Menopause
  20. Fibroids.bwhi.org
    Black Women’s Menopause
  21. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  22. Find An AMS Member [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  23. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  24. First Symptoms of Menopause
  25. Forward [Foundation of Women’s Health Research and Development, United Kingdom]
  26. Glossary of Terms
  27. HRT Questions Answered
  28. Health Care Concerns In Women At Midlife: Differences By Race, Ethnicity, and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status
  29. Here’s What You Need To Know About Menopause [Video]
  30. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  31. Hot Flashes
  32. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  33. How Does Race Affect Menopause Care?
  34. How Long Will I Have Hot Flashes and What Causes Them?
  35. How To Know If You Are In Menopause
  36. How Menopause Impacts Your Health
  37. Largest Event Ever for Black Women About Menopause
  38. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  39. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause] [Other Languages and Formats]
  40. 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]
  41. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  42. Life Changing Impact With Our CYL2 Diabetes Prevention Program
  43. Making Menopause Work
  44. Managing Menopause Symptoms [03 December 2024] [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  45. Managing Your Symptoms
  46. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  47. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  48. Mayo Clinic Minute: Perimenopause and Menopause [+ Video]
  49. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns
  50. Menopause
  51. Menopause
  52. Menopause
  53. Menopause
    Black Women’s Menopause
  54. Menopause Hormone Therapy and Complementary Alternative Medicine, Quality of Life, and Racial/Ethnic Differences: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
  55. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Black Women’s Menopause
  56. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Black Women’s Menopause
  57. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 5. Lifestyle Advice In Menopause & Perimenopause
  58. Menopause and Diabetes
  59. Menopause and Mental Health
  60. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
    Black Women’s Menopause
  61. Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024
  62. Menopause – Multiply Languages
  63. Menopause – The Change – Booklet
  64. Menopause: Things You Can Do
  65. Menstrual Calendar
  66. Midlife Weight Gain [March 2025]
    Black Women’s Menopause
  67. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  68. National Women’s Health Week [11-17 May 2025]: Navigating the Road to Menopause
    Black Women’s Menopause
  69. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  70. New Menopause Information for First Nations Communities [Australia]
  71. Perimenopause
  72. Perimenopause
  73. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  74. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  75. Periods Information Hub
  76. Postmenopause
  77. Racial Disparities In Menopause
  78. Shedding Light on the Menopause Experience and Demystifying Treatment [28 August 2024]
  79. Surprising Menopause Symptoms Q&A | Dr Louise Newson
  80. Systematic Exclusion At Study Commencement Masks Earlier Menopause for Black Women In the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)
  81. The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy
    Black Women’s Menopause
  82. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  83. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  84. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  85. Video Resource: Menopause and Healthy Living – What Is Early Menopause? [Multiple Languages]
  86. Video Resource: Menopause and Healthy Living – What Is Menopause? [Multiple Languages]
  87. Video & Podcast Library: Videos – World Menopause Day 2024: Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  88. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  89. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  90. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  91. Webinars: Previous – IMS & ISE Symposium: What’s Hot? Options for Treatment of Hot Flushes 2025
  92. Webinars: Previous – Menopausal Migraines
  93. Webinars: Previous – The Perimenopause Journey: An Adaptive Reproductive Phase
  94. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  95. What Is the Menopause?Menopause
  96. When Does Perimenopause Start and How Do You Define the Beginning
  97. Why is Bleeding so Heavy?
  98. World Menopause Day [18 October 2024]: Leaflet for Women [Multiply Languages]
  99. World Menopause Day [18 October 2024]: Poster for Women
  100. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]
    Black Women’s Menopause

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: 01 May 2025
  2. Menopause: Overview. 16 October 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 01 May 2025
  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: 01 May 2025
  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: 01 May 2025
  5. Velez, A. Menopause Is Different for Women of Color. 10 March 2021. https://www.endocrineweb.com/menopause-different-women-color Accessed: 01 May 2025
  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: 01 May 2025
  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: 01 May 2025
  8. 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: 01 May 2025
  9. Velez, A. Menopause Is Different for Women of Color. 10 March 2021. https://www.endocrineweb.com/menopause-different-women-color Accessed: 01 May 2025
  10. What Is Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 23 April 2025 | Last Reviewed: 22 April 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 May 2025
  11. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 01 May 2025
Last Updated: 11 May 2025 – Last Revised: 01 May 2025

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