If you've ever felt like menopause caught you off guard, or like you're navigating this transition without a roadmap, you're not alone. A groundbreaking study published in BMC Women's Health reveals what many Latina women already know: we're going through perimenopause and menopause with far less information and support than we deserve.
The research, which included focus groups with 29 Latina women, uncovered a truth that resonates deeply: 57% of participants reported having "little knowledge" about menopause. Yet when given the chance to learn and share their experiences, these women embraced the opportunity with a powerful declaration: información es poder-- information is power.
The Silent Struggle: Cultural Barriers to Menopause Education
The study revealed a cultural pattern many of us recognize. One participant described it perfectly: "In our culture, in our countries, we have a different way of being... of opening ourselves to certain topics."
This silence around menopause isn't just uncomfortable, it's harmful. When we don't talk about what's happening to our bodies, we:
- Feel isolated and confused about our symptoms
- Don't know what's "normal" versus what requires medical attention
- Miss opportunities to prepare and protect our health
- Struggle to communicate our needs to family and healthcare providers
But here's the encouraging news: the study also found evidence of a generational shift. Women noted they're more willing to discuss menopause than their mothers or grandmothers were, especially after living in the United States. You're part of a generation breaking the silence.
What Latina Women Experience During Menopause
The most commonly reported bothersome symptoms among study participants were:
- Joint pain (39%)
- Sleep disturbances (39%)
- Fatigue (29%)
- Hot flashes (25%)
- Weight gain/bloating (25%)
These aren't just minor inconveniences. These symptoms affect your work performance, your relationships, and your quality of life. One woman shared: "With my 48 years, I'm starting to go down that curve. And for me, it means that I am going downhill."
The Hidden Health Risk: Early Surgical Menopause
What the study didn't fully address, but what's critically important for Latina women to know: Hispanic women, like Black women, often experience surgical menopause at significantly earlier ages than White women.
When you have a hysterectomy or oophorectomy (ovary removal) in your 30s or 40s, you're thrust into menopause suddenly — without the gradual transition that allows your body to adjust. This early menopause brings increased health risks:
- Cardiovascular disease: Your heart loses the protective effects of estrogen decades earlier
- Osteoporosis: Bone density loss accelerates, increasing fracture risk
- Cognitive changes: Some women experience memory and concentration issues
- More severe symptoms: Surgical menopause typically causes more intense hot flashes and other symptoms
Yet too often, our healthcare providers don't adequately prepare us for these consequences or offer appropriate follow-up care.
Family Dynamics: The Double-Edged Sword
The study revealed something many of us experience but rarely discuss: how menopause affects our families — and how they affect our experience of menopause.
Participants shared that family members often called them "crazy" when experiencing hot flashes or mood changes. Yet these same women felt guilty about how their symptoms inconvenienced their families. One woman explained: "I'm always the one causing the problem. My husband is a bread [from God]... if he sees that I'm upset and I want to pick a fight, he prefers to hit the road and leave me talking to myself."
This reflects the cultural value of familismo, where family comes first. While this can provide crucial support, it can also make us feel like we're failing when symptoms prevent us from fulfilling our usual family roles.
The solution? Including family members in menopause education. When your partner and children understand what's happening, they can provide the empathy and support you need, and you can release the guilt that serves no one.
Treatment Approaches: Natural vs. Hormone Therapy
The study found that 61% of participants viewed hormone therapy negatively, while most preferred "natural" approaches like herbal remedies, diet changes, and exercise.
This preference isn't necessarily wrong, but it often stems from misinformation or lack of information about hormone therapy. Some women believed "natural" hormones (plant-based bioidentical hormones) were automatically safer than FDA-approved hormone therapy — which isn't accurate.
Here's what you need to know:
- Hormone therapy can be safe and effective for many women, especially when started during perimenopause
- "Natural" doesn't always mean safer or better
- The best approach is personalized to your health history, symptoms, and preferences
- Many women benefit from combining lifestyle approaches with medical treatment
What You Need to Know About Menopause
Participants identified these essential topics every Latina woman should understand:
- What menopause actually is — not just "when periods stop" but the hormonal changes and timeline
- Signs and symptoms — both common and less recognized ones
- Management strategies-- from lifestyle changes to medical treatments
- How to communicate with family -- helping them understand and support you
- Questions to ask healthcare providers--advocating for appropriate care
The study participants were clear: this education should start by age 35, if not earlier. As one woman suggested, teaching about menopause in schools could help young people support their mothers and prepare for their own future.
Your Path Forward: Claiming Your Power Through Information
The study's title captures its core message: Información es poder information is power. When you understand what's happening to your body, you can:
- Make informed decisions about your health
- Advocate effectively with healthcare providers
- Distinguish between normal symptoms and those requiring medical attention
- Prepare for changes before they disrupt your life
- Share knowledge with other women in your community
You don't have to navigate perimenopause and menopause alone or in silence. Support groups, culturally tailored education, and community health resources can provide the knowledge and validation you need.
The Peri Nation: Your Community for Menopause Support
This research confirms what The Peri Nation was founded to address: Latina women and women of color need culturally relevant menopause education and support that respects our experiences, values, and health realities.
Whether you're dealing with early surgical menopause, struggling with symptoms your doctor dismisses, or simply want to prepare for what's ahead, information truly is power. And you deserve access to that power.
Your body's transition through perimenopause and menopause isn't something to endure in silence or shame. It's a stage of life that, when properly understood and supported, you can navigate with clarity, confidence, and your well-being intact.
Ready to take control of your menopause journey? Explore The Peri Nation's services and resources designed specifically for women of color navigating perimenopause and menopause — because you deserve care that sees you, hears you, and supports your complete health.
Sources:Cortés, Y.I., Cazales, A., Mărginean, V., Duran, M., & Trocel, L. (2024). Información es poder (information is power): menopause knowledge, attitudes, and experiences in midlife Hispanic women and Latinas. BMC Women's Health, 24(633). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03434-z
