Series 4, Episode 6: Understanding Menopause Through a Cultural Lens - Challenges of Ethnic Minority Women

suzannewilson47
Oct 21
2 min read

Updated: Nov 20

In Series 4 episode 6 we start the conversation about the challenges women from ethnic minorities face when they experience the menopause transition.

Women from different cultures can experience certain symptoms differently, with questions around whether they will experience menopause earlier, for example with South Asian women.

Alongside the earlier menopause onset there are specific symptom experiences & different descriptions used (like "aching all over" instead of "hot flushes), alongside communication barriers and cultural expectations around silence.

There still remains the need for culturally sensitive healthcare information and adequately supportive materials with questions remaining around where to find culturally sensitive menopause care and how best to navigate the present healthcare system.

Much more work needs to be done in this area within communities and within healthcare. To help us navigate our way through the many issues women can face we were delighted to welcome onto the podcast Dr Shasi Prasad a GP, BMS accredited Advanced Menopause Specialist and Women’s Integrative & Functional Medicine Doctor. She runs menopause clinics in New Malden, South West London & in Harley Street: https://www.drshashiprasad.com/

Useful links & resources:

· Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets

· British Menopause society: https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20-BMS-TfC-Menopause-in-ethnic-minority-women-JULY2023-B.pdf

· Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

· Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk

· NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

· National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/recommendations

Additional resources:

· BMS : www.thebms.org.uk

· NICE guidelines : www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23

· Squeezy app : www.squeezyapp.com

· Daisy Network : www.daisynetwork.org