10-year study shows deep inequalities in menopause treatment access

A study of menopausal women in England has found that those in affluent areas are twice as likely to be offered hormone replacement therapy (HRT) than those in socially deprived areas.

As the Guardian reports, the findings also show that women of Chinese or black African background are 80 per cent less likely to receive HRT than white women.

A 10-year study of around two million menopausal women in England, presented at the World Congress on Menopause in Melbourne this week, suggests widespread inequalities.

University of Oxford researchers analysed HRT prescriptions issued in England to 1,978,348 women aged 40 to 60 over a 10-year period.

Between 2013 and 2023 more than twice as many women in affluent areas were offered HRT than those living in socially deprived areas.

In the same period, almost six times as many white women were prescribed HRT than black women.

Women of Chinese backgrounds were 82 per cent less likely, and those of black African backgrounds 79 per cent less likely, to receive HRT.

Nina Kuypers, the founder of Black Women In Menopause, was quoted in the Guardian as saying: “Many black women tell us that when they go to their GP, they feel dismissed or unheard, with their symptoms often being misinterpreted or overlooked. Instead of being recognised as part of menopause, their experiences are sometimes attributed to unrelated conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which are prevalent in the black community.

“There is also a lack of culturally competent care, with many healthcare professionals untrained in understanding the unique ways menopause manifests across different racial and ethnic groups.

“Furthermore, black women are often underrepresented in clinical trials, meaning that treatment guidelines do not always reflect their specific needs.

“As a result, they face delays in receiving appropriate treatment for their menopausal symptoms, compounded by socioeconomic barriers that make accessing specialised care even more difficult. These factors lead to prolonged suffering, further misdiagnosis, and a lack of trust in the healthcare system.”