Menopause is a universal transition, but for Black women, the journey often looks and feels dramatically different. A new study conducted by the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) examined the experiences of women ages 30 to 65 navigating perimenopause and menopause — 96% of whom had health insurance — and the findings are impossible to ignore. While many women are doing their best to manage the changes on their own, the study makes it clear that they’re not getting the guidance or information they truly deserve.
Suggested Reading
So what does this research reveal that many women don’t know? First, let’s unpack exactly what Menopause is, and discuss five challenges Black women are facing that might surprise you.
What is the Difference between Perimenopause and Menopause?
Perimenopause is defined as the transitional phase leading up to menopause. This usually rolls in several years before a woman’s final menstrual cycle. While your period is still active, they may be irregular, and marked by symptoms you haven’t experienced before. You may find yourself asking, “When did this become a thing?” more than usual. According to Power in the Pause, this can even begin in your late 30s or early 40s. millennials — that’s you.
Menopause occurs when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. By now, hormone levels have stabilized to a much lower level. And while symptoms like hot flashes or vaginal dryness may continue, the menstrual cycle has officially ended. In the absence of other medical conditions, this is totally normal.
54% of Women Say They’re Still Uninformed
According to awareness gaps found in the study, 54% of women said they don’t have enough information to manage their symptoms properly. And honestly, this goes for women in both Perimenopause and Menopause phases. One anonymous participant revealed she was “ignored” by her doctor and felt miserable, while another admitted she experienced “rage and anxiety” that was “so scary.”
Women Report Experiencing Symptoms Longer Than Expected
If your symptoms are starting earlier than you may expect, that means you could be suffering in silence. Perimenopause can begin years before their last period, stretching the experience of pesky symptoms far longer than they anticipate. And in a world of information — and no guidance — 52% of women reported they didn’t know which recommendations to follow.
The Symptoms You Never Expected
We’ve all seen the woman with the fan, or the aunty dabbing sweat from her forehead. But what about the other symptoms many women don’t realize are tied to menopause? The study shows that night sweats, brain fog, joint pain, fatigue, weight gain, thinning hair, depression, mood swings, and anxiety are just a few of the burdens that often appear out of nowhere — and are too often endured without a plan.
“I did not realize all of the other symptoms associated with menopause like joint pain, hair thinning, digestive issues — all of which I have,” an anonymous participant expressed.
Women Report Healthcare Barriers
As Black folks continue to face road blocks in the medical industry, women of a certain age are no different. 43% of participants in the study reported being discriminated against or treated unfairly while seeking healthcare, per BWHI, with many sharing that providers didn’t take their symptoms seriously.
Menopause Education Should Begin Earlier
The truth is, many of us have totally ignored Menopause under the assumption that we’ve got all the time in the world to worry about that before we get there. The results are in, and it seems we’ve been misguided. Amid a lack of resources, 66% of women “expressed a need for culturally grounded information beginning in their 30s.”
“Participants also expressed a desire for safe spaces to share their experiences and reduce the stigma surrounding menopause,” the study concludes.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.