African American midlife women's menopausal symptom experience

Background/significance: African American women are reported to be significantly more positive in their attitudes toward menopause and menopausal symptoms compared with midlife women of other ethnicities. However, there is still little data about the menopausal symptom experience in African American women.

Objective/Purpose: To explore the menopausal symptom experiences of African American midlife women in the U.S., using a feminist approach.

Methods: This study consisted of a 6-month-long qualitative online forum for African American midlife women in the U.S. Twenty seven African American women were recruited using a convenience sampling method through Internet communities/groups/organizations. The data were collected using seven discussion topics on menopausal symptoms, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: The women were raised to be strong and accept any hardships in their lives; menopause was just a part of life they had to endure. Menopause meant just getting old, which could be easily accepted without emotional difficulties because older women in their culture were usually respected and honored. Many of the women mentioned their need for education programs that could provide adequate and accurate information. All the women stated that their menopausal symptom experience could not be understood by others.

Discussion and Conclusions: The overriding theme was the marginalized experience of African American midlife women during their menopausal transition. Health care providers should develop a mechanism to deliver the necessary knowledge related to menopausal symptoms and management strategies to the women. More in-depth cultural studies with diverse groups of African American midlife women are needed.