MenopauseTalk

Why We Must Not Stay Silent About Menopause

Silence around menopause has never been neutral, it has been harmful. When women cannot speak openly about their experiences, they are left to manage not only physical symptoms but also the emotional weight of stigma, exclusion and misunderstanding.

For Black, Asian and ethnically diverse women, this silence can be even more profound, shaped by cultural taboos, lack of representation in health research and systemic barriers in care.

Here are three reasons why breaking the silence matters, especially for BAME women:

1. Silence Hides Unequal Realities

While most women experience menopause between 45–55, research shows that women of African and South Asian heritage often experience symptoms earlier, more intensely and for longer.

Hot flushes, sleep disruption and mood changes can be more severe, yet these differences are rarely reflected in mainstream health advice.

Cultural silence means many women do not even realise their symptoms are menopause-related until years later.

2. Silence Blocks Access to Care

Across cultures, menopause is still framed as a private matter or worse, as something to be endured in silence. In many BAME communities, talking about reproductive health can carry stigma, leaving women unsupported within their own families or faith settings.

Health systems add another layer. Studies show that Black and Asian women are less likely to be offered HRT or menopause-related support and healthcare providers often lack cultural competence to address the unique needs of diverse women. Silence here doesn’t just hurt, it widens the health gap.

3. Silence Reinforces Cultural Stigma

In some cultures, menopause is equated with the end of femininity or value, creating shame and isolation. In workplaces, the intersection of race and gender bias means Black and Asian women are already under scrutiny. Add unmanaged menopause symptoms and the risk of being side-lined, overlooked or stereotyped grows.

Breaking the silence challenges these cultural narratives, replacing stigma with empowerment.

Why This Conversation Matters

Menopause is not just biology, it is lived experience, shaped by culture, history and access to care. With 26% of women worldwide now postmenopausal, including millions of BAME women whose voices are too often unheard, silence is no longer an option. Speaking up is a form of justice. It ensures women from every background are seen, respected and supported through this critical life stage.

Let’s Start Here 

How has culture shaped the way menopause is spoken about or silenced, in your family or community? 

• How is menopause spoken about or not spoken about in your family?

• Were you prepared for menopause by the women in your family, or did you have to learn about it alone?

We’d love to hear your voice in this conversation. Your story could be the one that helps another woman feel less alone.

If this post resonates with you, like it to show your support, comment with your experiences or insights and share it so that more women across families, cultures and workplaces can break the silence together.

Let’s make menopause a conversation we no longer whisper about, but one we speak on with strength and solidarity.