Menopause and the power of becoming: advocates, doctors push for more inclusive conversations

By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com

Menopause is clinically defined as “12 consecutive months without a menstrual period,” according to Dr. Ngozi Wexler, an OB-GYN and chief medical officer at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. But advocates like Omisade Burney-Scott, founder of  The Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause, say the transition carries a deeper significance.

While menopause is a natural stage of aging, many women begin it unprepared or unsure of what is happening to their bodies due to a lack of education around the subject, continued stigma and medical mistrust, according to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study published in 2025. 

Wexler reports that for many of her Black patients, there are many misconceptions that she has to address, such as that there is no “test” for menopause or the length of perimenopause symptoms such as hot flashes. According to Dr. Wexler, symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats can last as long as 10 years, with decreasing intensity over time. 

In an interview with the AFRO, Wexler clarified that although some studies suggest that Black women start menopause earlier than White women, it is typically only a few months difference. She added that research more consistently shows Black women often experience symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats for longer periods.

Wexler said there are a variety of hormonal and non-hormonal treatments to manage symptoms. Non-hormonal treatments can include alternative medicine such as acupuncture. Wexler also recommends consistent exercise and intentionally creating an environment to prioritize sleep. For hormonal options, there is the use of estrogen and progesterone to help with symptoms, which can come in the form of a pill, gel or a patch. Finally, there is the use of antidepressants in low doses to treat night sweats. 

Wexler says she is intentional about normalizing menopause with her patients. 

“This is part of a normal continuum of being a human being as a woman,” said Wexler. I think doctors have a responsibility to also ask questions the right way so that if a patient is coming in with a certain misconception or, you know, presumed stigma that we’re not making them feel any more uncomfortable by being uncomfortable ourselves.” 

Advocates say that the gap between medical knowledge and lived experience is where community-based education becomes essential.

Burney-Scott said she started Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause in 2019 after realizing many women her age were navigating menopause with little guidance or open conversation beyond clinical terms, and were typically excluded in the growing menopause space. 

“I had no idea how much we as a community, as a culture, needed an approach to the conversation about menopause, reproductive aging [and] gender affirming care from a cultural place,” said Burney-Scott. 

Her organization is committed to not just inclusivity, but accessibility. Many of the resources provided by Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause are free or low cost educational materials such as a podcast, zine, and  website. In addition to digital resources, the organization hosts community events and conferences. 

For Burney-Scott, menopause is a “reset” and a sacred part of life that allows women to tap into their wisdom as they age, which has often been framed as negative. 

 “Menopause is a physical, cultural and political experience, and to leave one of those out is a disservice to not only the individual, but to the collective,” said Burney-Scott. 

Despite the challenges that can accompany the transition, Burney-Scott said the stage also represents something deeper.

“Becoming is an honor,” said Burney-Scott. “It’s a privilege. Living is an honor and a privilege. If you are able to stay alive and navigate menopause, it’s a privilege—however complicated or confusing the experience might be for some people … it’s a privilege to become who you’re supposed to be, and menopause is certainly a part of your becoming.” 

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