A RECENT study has highlighted significant variations in menopause symptom severity among different racial and ethnic groups, independent of socioeconomic status. Eduardo Hariton, University of California, San Francisco, USA, and team emphasized the importance of recognizing these disparities to develop tailored interventions and support systems for menopausal women from diverse backgrounds.
The study analyzed data from 67,867 women using an online telehealth platform between March 2019 and January 2023. Participants completed a clinical intake survey that included demographic information, a medical questionnaire, and a modified Menopause Rating Scale.
The study’s demographic breakdown was predominantly White women (77.4%), followed by Hispanic (9%), Black (6.7%), women of two or more races/ethnicities (4.4%), Asian (1.2%), Indigenous (0.8%), Middle Eastern (0.3%), and South Asian (0.2%).
Key findings indicated that Black women were more likely to experience hot flashes (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91) and night sweats (OR = 1.87) compared to their white counterparts. Hispanic women and those of mixed races reported more skin and hair changes (OR = 1.58 and OR = 1.41, respectively). Indigenous women faced more pain during intercourse (OR = 1.39), and Middle Eastern women reported more significant weight changes (OR = 2.22).
Furthermore, Black women showed higher incidences of 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. The study also noted that lower socioeconomic status slightly reduced the odds of severe symptoms but maintained high statistical significance, especially for night sweats among Black (OR = 1.78) and Hispanic women (OR = 1.18).
Hariton emphasized the need for further research into the social, cultural, and biological mechanisms behind these disparities. He advocates for longitudinal studies to better understand the dynamic nature of menopause symptoms over time and suggests exploring interventions targeting modifiable factors related to race and ethnicity to reduce symptom severity disparities. Understanding these differences is crucial for improving the quality of life for menopausal women across diverse populations.
Reference
Kochersberger A et al. The association of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on the severity of menopause symptoms: a study of 68,864 women. Menopause. 2024;31(6):476-83.
