Racial and Ethnic Differences in Menopause Symptoms

A recent study published in Menopause reveals that the severity of menopause symptoms varies among different racial and ethnic groups, irrespective of socioeconomic status. Dr. Eduardo Hariton, a reproductive endocrinologist at the Reproductive Science Center at the University of California, San Francisco, emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing these disparities to improve the quality of life for menopausal women from diverse backgrounds.

Study Details

Dr. Hariton and his colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study using data from 67,867 women who participated in the Evernow online telehealth platform between March 2019 and January 2023. The participants completed a clinical intake survey that included demographic information, a medical questionnaire, and a modified Menopause Rating Scale.

The demographic breakdown of the participants was as follows:

• 77.4% White

• 9% Hispanic

• 6.7% Black

• 4.4% Two or more races/ethnicities

• 1.2% Asian

• 0.8% Indigenous

• 0.3% Middle Eastern

• 0.2% South Asian

Racial and Ethnic Variations in Symptoms

The study found significant differences in menopause symptoms among racial and ethnic groups:

• Black Women: Reported more hot flashes (OR = 1.91), night sweats (OR = 1.87), sleep disturbances (OR = 1.67), brain fog (OR = 1.19), pain during intercourse (OR = 1.38), and unusual periods (OR = 1.65) compared to White women.

• Hispanic Women: Reported more skin and hair changes (OR = 1.58).

• Women of Two or More Races/Ethnicities: Also reported more skin and hair changes (OR = 1.41).

• Indigenous Women: Reported more pain during intercourse (OR = 1.39).

• Middle Eastern Women: Reported more weight changes (OR = 2.22).

Impact of Socioeconomic Status

Even after controlling for socioeconomic status, the differences in symptom severity remained significant. However, there were slight reductions in the odds for certain severe symptoms among racial and ethnic groups with lower socioeconomic status. For instance:

• Night Sweats: Reduced odds for Black (OR = 1.78) and Hispanic women (OR = 1.18).

• Fatigue/Low Energy: Reduced odds for Indigenous women (OR = 1.55).

• Unusual Periods: Reduced odds for women of two or more races/ethnicities (OR = 1.33).

Need for Tailored Interventions

Dr. Hariton emphasized that tailored interventions and support systems are essential to address the unique needs of diverse populations experiencing menopause. Future research should explore the social, cultural, and biological mechanisms underlying these disparities. Longitudinal studies could provide deeper insights into how these associations evolve over time. Additionally, interventions targeting modifiable factors related to race and ethnicity could help mitigate disparities in menopause symptom severity.

Conclusion

The study highlights significant racial and ethnic differences in menopause symptoms, independent of socioeconomic status. These findings call for personalized care and interventions to better support women from diverse backgrounds during menopause, ultimately improving their quality of life.