The menopause is a time when a woman’s periods stop and her hormone levels change.
Around 85% of women experience problems (such as hot flushes, changes in mood, joint pains) that may continue for years. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be prescribed for these symptoms, as well as to prevent other longer-term problems that increase after the menopause, such as osteoporosis (thinner bones). It is known that women who are less well-off are more likely to have severe problems from the menopause.
Although such women may benefit from HRT, our previous research showed that showed that prescribing of HRT was 33% lower in general practices in the most deprived parts of England compared to those in more affluent areas.(1)
Previous surveys have found that women of African descent and South Asian women living in London are less likely to be prescribed HRT than White women.(2) A qualitative study looking at Black women’s perceptions of menopause and the use of HRT found that information available to them regarding HRT was lacking and that most of what was available was not properly geared towards Black women.(3)
We aim to understand this more by carrying out group discussions to explore with women, particularly from groups that are less often prescribed HRT (such as Black and South Asian women and also women from more deprived areas) their experiences of obtaining information, care and support for the menopause and of menopause care in general practice.
Researchers at Warwick University are working with Egality, The South Asian Health Foundation, Cysters, Black Women in Menopause and The Women’s Health and Maternal Well-being Initiative to hear from women whose voices are often missing in research.
We are running a series of group discussions to find out more about women’s experiences.
The discussion should last around 1 hour, and attendees will receive a £25 voucher for taking part
If you would like to register your interest, please get in touch via email menopause.gap@warwick.ac.uk or phone 02476 523164.
Find out more about the study here.
- Hillman s, Shantikumar S, Ridha A, Todkill D, Dale J. (2020). Socioeconomic status and HRT prescribing: a study of practice-level data in England. J Gen Pract, 29, 70(700):e772-e777.
- Harris TJ, Cook DG, Wicks PD, Cappuccio FP. (1999). Ethnic differences in use of hormone replacement therapy: community based survey. BMJ, 319(7210), 610-1
- Ozuzu-Nwaiwu J. (2007).Black women’s perceptions of menopause and the use of HRT. Nursing Times ,103(2):34-5.
