| Description |
The menopausal transition (MT) and post-menopause involves a systemic development in which bothersome symptoms can occur. While symptoms occur for women across all racial and ethnic groups, some symptoms are worse for racially and ethnically diverse women compared to White women. Because of risks associated with hormone therapy, many midlife women seek evidence- based non-pharmacologic interventions. Acupuncture is one such evidence-based intervention, but barriers to access, such as cost, exist. Further, 75% of women who go to primary care or gynecologists for MT symptoms do not receive care for said symptoms. Thus, there is a lack of access for both acupuncture and medical care. This thesis presents the qualitative data gathered from an engagement session of 20 racially and ethnically diverse women in the MT and early post-menopause and their experiences physically, mentally, and socially. The results gathered address the participants' vasomotor symptom dimensions, age dimensions, social dimensions, and healthcare dimensions of their MT. The key findings are: 1) a need for more education of health care providers so they can then educate their patients, 2) more vocalization in the community about the hardships menopausal women may face, and 3) making evidenced based non-pharmacological methods, such as acupuncture, more available for women to use. These key findings provide directions for specific future research. |
