Black women are less likely to accept hormone therapy for menopausal symptom management compared to White women, despite similar clinical criteria. A pilot study conducted at an urban university menopause clinic over a three-year period included 113 patients presenting with menopausal symptoms. The study, published by The North American Menopause Society, found that while 49% of eligible White patients accepted hormone therapy, only 24% of Black patients did so. The odds ratio for Black patients’ acceptance was 0.24, indicating a significant racial disparity in the acceptance of both systemic and local hormonal therapy among perimenopausal women.
The study’s cohort was 51% Black and 42% White, with the remainder unknown or declined to answer. Among patients with vasomotor symptoms, 55% accepted lifestyle modification therapy, and 45% accepted hormone therapy. For those presenting with vaginal dryness, 85% accepted non-hormonal moisturizers or lubricants, but only 15% accepted vaginal hormone therapy. The study suggests that the presence of racial disparity in acceptance of treatment modalities can inform clinicians about patient factors that may influence treatment decisions.
This finding is particularly relevant given that prior research has confirmed that menopause symptoms can vary by race, with Black women known to have more severe hot flashes and other symptoms. Despite this, the study observed a low rate of documented menopause symptoms among Black participants, which could contribute to under diagnosis and undertreatment.
See “Racial Disparities in HRT for Menopausal Women” by Stan Martinez on the Gilmore Health News website (January 22, 2024) Scroll down to see article.
