UCL research points out that Black women in the UK are entering menopause severely under-informed, under-supported and often dismissed by healthcare professionals.
Healthcare Today has long highlighted the significant barriers that women of colour face accessing the NHS, but new research from UCL argues that Black women in the UK are entering menopause severely under-informed, under-supported and often dismissed by healthcare professionals.
The study – the first UK-wide survey to focus specifically on the menopause experiences of Black women – gathered responses from 377 women aged 40 to 70. It found that 88% of Black women received no menopause education at school, while more than half (58%) felt completely uninformed before the age of 40. Many participants revealed that they felt frightened and unprepared when symptoms began.
The survey showed most women sought help only once symptoms were severe, often turning first to friends or social media rather than health services.
“Our findings show a stark picture: many Black women are navigating menopause with far too little information and far too little support,” said lead author Joyce Harper, professor in reproductive science at UCL.
“This lack of preparation and culturally competent care is leaving many women frightened, dismissed, and struggling alone,” she added.
Misdiagnosis
Women reported being misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression rather than menopause; offered antidepressants instead of menopause-specific treatment; told they were “too young” to be menopausal, despite experiencing significant symptoms; and met with reluctance to prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT), even when symptoms were severe.
Many participants – reflected repeatedly in the qualitative analysis – said that their symptoms were not taken seriously, and some felt they had to self-diagnose to receive appropriate support.
The study also found that stigma surrounding menopause remains particularly strong within families and communities. Many women recounted that their mothers or older relatives refused to talk about menopause, leaving them feeling isolated – a recurring theme in the qualitative responses, though not quantified numerically.
“This is the first study to focus specifically on Black women’s experiences of menopause in the UK, and the message is clear – they are being let down. Women told us they were unprepared, unsupported and often dismissed by healthcare professionals, and this reveals deeply entrenched disparities affecting diagnosis, treatment, and trust in medical experts. This must change. Culturally competent care is not optional; it is essential to delivering equitable healthcare,” said Harper.
Researchers say these findings echo national evidence of racial inequality in women’s health outcomes and underline the need for mandatory cultural competence training across the NHS.
