In the UK, approximately 13 million women are currently going through either perimenopause or menopause. Of that number, approximately 450,000 are black women.
Black women in the UK, as well as globally, often face distinct health disparities and challenges in relation to menopause, both in terms of physical symptoms and access to adequate healthcare. Research suggests that black women may experience menopause earlier on average and with potentially more intense symptoms than their white counterparts, which may influence healthcare needs and support structures.
The impact of environmental factors such as systemic racism mean that black women may experience higher rates of anxiety and depression related to menopause. At the intersection of gender and race, black women tend to be underrepresented in healthcare research. This underrepresentation leads to a gap in data, which can affect healthcare professionals’ ability to provide culturally sensitive care to black women experiencing menopause.