Why Menopause Support Must Be Culturally Grounded
The Blind Spots in Modern Medicine
Menopause isn't a disease, but it's often treated like one—especially for BIPOC women. Western gynecology has barely scratched the surface when it comes to understanding the perimenopausal transition in diverse bodies. Much of what we know is based on research conducted on cis, white, thin, postmenopausal women. The result? Overgeneralized advice, underdiagnosed symptoms, and a whole lot of "wait and see." That doesn’t cut it for women who already carry the weight of generational health disparities and systemic bias.
The Wisdom of the Matriarchs
Across Afro (and/or) Indigenous and other BIPOC traditions, menopause wasn't feared—it was revered. The "change" was an initiation into a deeper kind of knowing. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers might not have had hormone panels or symptom trackers, but they had dreams, rituals, herbs, and stories. Menopause marked the rise of the Crone—the wise woman, not the cast-aside one. That kind of reverence has been slowly erased by medicalization and the modern obsession with youth. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.
What Modern Tools Offer (And What They Don’t)
Understanding HRT and Its Benefits
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has come a long way. Bioidentical options are now available, and when appropriately prescribed, HRT can support brain function, bone density, cardiovascular health, and mood stability. It’s not about "stopping" menopause—it’s about creating a softer landing during a complex biological transition. For some, it's a lifeline. For others, it’s not necessary. The key is informed, individualized care.
When Modern Interventions Can Be Harmful
Modern medicine can be both a blessing and a blunt instrument. When doctors dismiss BIPOC women’s pain or assume a one-size-fits-all approach, harm happens. We need to stay critical and curious: Is this solution honoring the whole person, or just dulling the symptoms? Are we adding tools, or taking away autonomy?
Blending Both Worlds: A Framework for BIPOC Women
Reclaiming Authority Over Your Body and Health
You don’t have to choose between a gynecologist and your great-grandmother’s teachings. You can build a care team that respects your body, your culture, and your intuition. Start by asking: What do I believe about this transition? What kind of support do I need—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually?
Tools from Both Realms
Modern tools: HRT, adaptogens, strength training, sleep hygiene, cycle tracking, nervous system regulation. Ancestral tools: Traditional herbs, ceremony, dream interpretation, somatic healing, storytelling, ritual baths, foodways. You don’t have to master them all. Start with one from each world and let your body guide the next step.
Honoring the Transition, Not Just Treating the Symptoms
This is about more than hot flashes. It’s about becoming. Menopause is the second puberty. The body changes, yes. But so does the spirit. Some of the most powerful transformations come from grieving what was, making peace with what is, and embracing what could be. Community matters here. Talking circles, intergenerational conversations, and mentorship create spaces where new narratives can emerge.
Real Talk: Conversations BIPOC Women Are Having Right Now
“Is HRT Interrupting Nature?”
Let’s reframe that. Nature isn’t static. Evolution is nature. Adapting to modern stressors, environmental toxins, and nutritional gaps with modern tools is still natural. It’s not about stopping menopause. It’s about choosing how we walk through it.
“What About Long-Term Risks?”
Valid question. And one that deserves context, not fear. The WHI study that scared everyone in the early 2000s used outdated methods and participants who weren’t reflective of today’s diverse population. Newer research supports safer, more nuanced HRT options—especially when started in the early stages of menopause. But it’s still a personal choice.
“How Do I Even Begin to Blend These Approaches?”
Start small. Add a ritual to your sleep routine. Ask your auntie about how she handled the change. Talk to a practitioner about HRT options. Read a book that blends science and sacred. This is a slow stitching process—a quilt, not a quick fix.
The Future Is a Fusion: Why Integration Is the Most Liberating Path
You are not here to pick between science and soul. You deserve both. BIPOC women deserve access to all the tools—ancestral and contemporary—to thrive through menopause. Integration is how we reclaim power. It’s how we restore wisdom. And it’s how we liberate the next generation to experience the change as something more than symptoms—but as an initiation into something deeper, wiser, and more whole.
Want to explore this further? Check out the Mastering Menopause Guide designed to blend strength training, hormone education, and cultural empowerment.
Also read: Ancestral Foods as Fuel guide to learn how to fuel your movement with cultural foods.
You are the bridge. You get to decide what gets carried forward—and what gets left behind.
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