HEALTHIER YOU: How menopause can be different for Black women
August 12, 2025 by agutting@reviewjournal.com
Filed under Health
BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN
As Black women, our experience with menopause — the “change of life” — can be very different than that of our white counterparts. While menopause timing may be influenced by genetics, researchers believe that chronic stress, socioeconomic factors, and healthcare disparities also play a role.
Some research shows that Black women are twice as likely as white women to undergo a total hysterectomy — a procedure that kicks off what is called “surgical menopause,” which can also accelerate the timeline for experiencing menopause symptoms for Black women.
Menopause symptoms can last anywhere from four to 10 years for most women, but Black women tend to fall toward the longer end of the spectrum. The prolonged journey often includes:
- More frequent and intense hot flashes
- Higher rates of depression and anxiety
- Increased difficulty with sleep and night sweats
And then there is the research pointing to Black women’s unique experiences:
- Black women, on average, reach menopause earlier — by an average of 8.5 months — than white women
- Black women go through menopause for an average of 10.1 years, compared to 6.5 years for white women
- Black women are twice as likely to go through surgical menopause (removal of ovaries and/or uterus) compared to other racial groups
- Black women are 50% less likely to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
On the matter of disparities in the use of HRT — which can be incredibly effective in managing severe menopause symptoms, and has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions like heart disease and stroke — Black women are less likely to receive the prescription. Researchers have attributed these disparities to unconscious racial bias and a lack of access to providers.
All women should have regular healthcare checkups. Make your appointment today by calling Innovative Women’s Care at (702) 413-7740 or visit us at 851 S. Rampart Blvd., Suite 160 in Las Vegas.
