The Unique Challenges Facing Women Of Colour During Menopause
- 18 October 2023
- 40.79M
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Menopause can be a very stressful time but imagine what it’s like when that’s compounded with a healthcare system that’s biased against you.
Studies show that women of colour experience menopause at an earlier age and with much stronger symptoms than their caucasian counterparts.
Menopause can be daunting and challenging enough because it’s still not openly discussed or understood by many women or healthcare professionals. When you add into that mix the lack of representation and research focused on menopause in women of colour, it can lead to disparities in healthcare.
Dr Monica Williams talks to us today about the experience that African American women have through menopause, how menopause can hit earlier, how health advice is often not sought because of systemic bias against women of colour, how beliefs such as black women don’t feel pain are still present in some medical professionals today.
We also talk about multi-disciplinary approaches to menopause, bio-identical hormones and the need for open discussion and sharing among women of all races. Timestamps:
- 02:39 – Dr Monica Williams’ passion for change
- 05:35 – Menopause is NOT the end!
- 06:28 – Why women of colour go through menopause earlier
- 11:27 – Prejudices against African American women
- 14:42 – The lack of Information on menopause from GPs
- 20:29 – Stigma around menopause & perceiving femininity as negative
- 26:39 – What is structural racism & how can we overcome it
- 37:26 – Menopause in doctor’s education
- 43:00 – How to get in touch with Dr Monica Williams
About Today’s Guest: Dr Monica Williams
As a Board Certified Family Physician who specializes in Functional Medicine and sexual health and wellness, she has dedicated the last 25 + years in practice to teaching her clients how to meet their goals of living healthier lives through strategic lifestyle planning.
She is a graduate of Meharry Medical College, and she completed her Residency at the University of Texas in Houston. Before founding Deep Rooted Health she served as Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director of multi-facility community health centers and an innovative Medicare based Primary care clinic.
Monica J.R. Williams-Rilley , MD is the founder and medical director of Deep Rooted Health, LLC and and a Cliovana expert practitioner. As a Board Certified Family Physician who specializes in Functional Medicine and sexual health and wellness, she has dedicated the last 25 + years in practice to teaching her clients how to meet their goals of living healthier lives through strategic lifestyle planning.
She is a graduate of Meharry Medical College, and she completed her Residency at the University of Texas in Houston. Before founding Deep Rooted Health she served as Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director of multi-facility community health centers and an innovative Medicare based Primary care clinic.Dr. Monica enjoys helping people with sensitive health issues such as sexual dysfunction, menopause, andropause, hormone imbalance, and intimate wellness. Life is to be enjoyed and she wants to help you find the joy in your life!
She enjoys writing articles for publications on topics that inspire improved wellness. She also enjoys opportunities to speak to audiences on enlightening topics. She enjoys all things outdoors and photography and drawing and painting.
