Yes, research shows that your race and ethnicity can impact how you experience the menopause.1–10
Women of Afro-Caribbean origin start menopause at an average age of
Indian women may also begin menopause at an earlier average of
For Pakistani women, it’s
Menopause can happen at an older age in some Asian women compared with White women; with Thai women beginning menopause around
49.5 YEARS
for Japanese women.3,4
Indian women may also begin menopause at an earlier average of
For Pakistani women, it’s
Studies show that women of different races and ethnicities report different physical and mental symptoms. For example, Black women are more likely to experience hot flushes than White women10, while Asian women report fewer overall menopause symptoms than women from Western countries, perhaps because in Asian cultures, social status often increases with age, and attitudes about menopause and ageing are generally much more positive.8
Studies also show that Black women typically start their menopause earlier than White women.9 Early onset of menopause increases the likelihood of developing heart disease later on, which puts this group at increased risk of this and other postmenopausal health risks such as diabetes.9
Sadly, health inequality in the UK means that people of ethnic minority groups experience poorer general health and report poorer experiences in using health services than their White peers.10
This adds another layer of complexity when it comes to seeking support for menopausal women of colour.
