Last week I read a study online that said doctors are having a problem communicating with black women about menopause. l must admit the article surprised me because I, personally, have a wonderful relationship with my gynecologist. As a matter of fact I think she gives me more information than I want to know. She also provides lots of options for treatment of my menopausal symptoms. Is it because my gynecologist is a female? Or is it because she's black like me?
The doctors who conducted the study said women in their focus groups expressed a lack of confidence in their treating physicians. The doctors were quoted as saying "The women in our study put great stock in how their mothers or other older women in their communities had managed menopause symptoms." WHAT? I want to know who these women are because most of the women I've interacted with about this issue say it was NEVER DISCUSSED with their mothers. In my own mother's case, I thought she was experiencing some type of mental breakdown because of her erratic behavior. She never once identified her symptoms as "menopause" and I certainly don't remember her seeking any type of medical treatment.
It seems as though just like everything else in life, race plays a factor. But menopause is not a black, white, asian or latino issue. Menopause crosses all racial lines. It is a true Equal Opportunity Annoyer! Physicians need to recognize this fact and treat accordingly.
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2 comments:
I'm so happy that I found this post, amen. I am soon to be 49 yrs. young. I have not had a menstrual cycle since last year.
I am doing wonderfully! And, believe it or not, I have no symptoms from it. I'm happier than I've ever been. And, I actually have a Sex Drive Now.
Many of my friends who are in their 50's actually kinda seem a little jealous.
As far as not paying attention to doctors and it's probably more male drs. saying, we don't pay attention. My regular female physician was out sick. I had to see her male counterpart. This idiot told me I wasn't in the throes of Menopause.
Okay, If I'm not pregnant, I don't have an abnormal pap smear then HOW COME you (he) doesn't have any concerns as to what is going on with my body, with me physically.
He shot 1,000 milligrams of Steroids in my arm, gave me 20 steroid pills to take for my asthma.
I asked are you sure this is okay? I only have a few more mths to go before it will be a yr. since my last cycle.
"You have nothing to worry about, your not in menopause" duh!
Within 48 hrs. I felt as if I was trying to start a cycle. My uterus was contracting the same way it felt when I was 2 mths. pregnant.
Within 72hrs. I started spotting, but nothing really bled out. I was mad enough to spit!
If steroids can give a man breast WHAT do you think it can give a woman, a cycle. I quit taking it and within 24 hrs. the small amt. of spotting ceased.
I phoned him and called the AMA on him. I specifically do not pay attention to the older women in my family, with all due respect becuz they acted as if life was coming to an end when they went thru the change of life. I promised myself when I was 12 yrs. old it wasn't going to be me.
I read books, listen to women that armed themselves appropriately by excerise nutrition etc. and I researched the internet. I could tell my body was preparing for menopause at 35. I realize that I'm in a small percentage of women who just wake up oneday and that's it. And, i thank she the universe and my god for that.
My apology for such a long post, but I'm not being embraced becuz everyone seems a bit irritated that I'm not experiencing Menopausal Havoc. And, I'm celebrating this new life.
Thank you my friend...be blessed.
Miss Vicki,
I certainly don't mind the long post. It was enlightening. You keep on keepin on and enjoy the journey. I think you'll really enjoy reading my book, "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age." (available on amazon.com)
Peace & Blessings,
Beverly Mahone
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