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Why Menopause Equity Cannot Wait
Menopause is a universal life stage — yet access to care, diagnosis, and treatment is far from equal. Research shows that women experiencing the most severe symptoms are not always those receiving appropriate support, particularly when ethnicity and socioeconomic factors intersect.
Health equity in menopause care is not just a women’s issue — it is a workforce, public health, and societal issue. When care is delayed or denied, it affects wellbeing, careers, retention, and long-term health outcomes.
At BPLS, we believe equity begins with evidence, visibility, and action.
What the Research Reveals
Insights from the University of Oxford Menopause Study
- A decade-long study of over 2 million women in England
- Black African and Chinese women were nearly 80% less likely to be offered HRT than white women
- Of 1.85 million women aged 45–55:
- Only 5.2% of Black women were prescribed HRT
- Compared with 23.3% of white women
- Disparities widened further when socioeconomic factors were considered
These findings highlight a systemic inequity that demands urgent, evidence-based action.
Voices Driving Change
The event featured two panel discussions chaired by Dr Amina Udechuku, Co-Founder of BPLS, with contributions from leaders across healthcare, industry, and the community.
Panellists included:
- Dr Jennifer Hirst, Senior Research Fellow and Epidemiologist, University of Oxford
- Nina Kuypers, Founder, Black Women in Menopause
- Lavina Mehta MBE, Personal Trainer, Author & Women's Health Campaigner
- Dr Tonye Wokoma, Consultant and Menopause Specialist
- Dr Suki Balendra, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Paddington Life Sciences
- Jenny Carrington-Elson, Managing Director, Intent Health
- Liz Carson, Executive Vice-President, Lucid Group
Focus areas discussed:
- Lived experiences of Black and Brown women navigating menopause
- Inequities in diagnosis, prescribing, and patient advocacy
- The role of GPs, policy, community engagement, and clinical trials
- Practical actions to close the gap in menopause care
