Menopause & Black Women

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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