Many people struggle to talk about menopause and seek support, but for some there are additional barriers to overcome.
minority
Ethnic minority groups face additional challenges in accessing menopause-related health services.. Language barriers, cultural sensitivities, and existing systemic barriers to accessing health care in general can make it more difficult to seek and obtain support.
Transgender and non-binary people
Menopause primarily affects cis women, but some trans, non-binary and People with VSC (variation in gender characteristics, also known as intersex) You may also experience menopause. This may be due to age-related hormonal changes, hormone treatments, and/or gender confirmation surgery.
Transgender people may not expect menopausal symptoms. Many people who have had hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery are not told that they may experience early/medical menopause. If menopause symptoms appear unexpectedly, you may find it difficult to understand them and not seek help or seek treatment for the changes you are experiencing.
Some people may not want to talk about menopausal symptoms. This is because it may mean disclosing your gender status or ‘outing’ yourself. For example, if a transgender person at work is experiencing menopausal symptoms (e.g. hot flashes, brain fog, weight changes, mood swings) but has not disclosed their transgender status at work, it may be difficult to seek support or engage with menopause. You can also join a support group or talk about your symptoms with others who are unaware of your trans status. They may also worry that if they exhibit any of these menopausal symptoms, they may be 'outed', causing worries about their employment, relationships with colleagues and sense of self.
For trans men, menopause can cause gender dysphoria issues.. This gender dysphoria, or the pain or discomfort someone may feel when their sex assigned at birth does not match their gender, can impact their mental health and well-being.
discrimination
Gender reassignment is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
A person who is planning to undergo, is undergoing, or has undergone the process (or part of the process) of gender reassignment has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment. This can happen by changing physical or other characteristics associated with someone's gender.
If someone is disadvantaged or treated less favorably because they have, or are thought to have, a protected characteristic of a gender transition, this may be discrimination.
Neurodiverse people and neurodiverse people
For people with ADHD/autism, menopause may make their symptoms worse.. Because hormones affect executive function, people with ADHD/autism may experience more symptoms of ADHD/autism during perimenopause when hormone levels change. You may also experience emotional distress caused by the changes to your body, mind, and relationships that this period can bring. This means that you may need more support than ever before as you experience perimenopause.
This may also mean that undiagnosed people begin to notice symptoms of ADHD/autism more, or their intensity increases. This may lead to a diagnosis of ADHD/autism.
Neurodiversity/Neurodiverse people often already feel stigmatized.. Barriers to and lack of access to support services can make it more difficult for neurodiverse people to seek help and support for menopausal symptoms.