Barriers for the improvement of sexual life with HRT

Abstract

Introduction Menopausal women from minority backgrounds face medical disparities related to insurance coverage, sociocultural, and economic factors, which affect their menopause diagnosis and access to hormone therapy (HT). Objective To evaluate the impact of sociocultural barriers, medical misinformation, and limited healthcare access on menopause diagnosis and HT use in minority women, and to identify practical strategies for improving their care. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on menopausal patients seen at two institutions primarily serving Latin American (70%), White American (15%), African American/African/Haitian (10%), and other minority (5%) populations. Data on menopause diagnosis rates, HT usage patterns, patient-reported reasons for accepting or rejecting therapy, and the influence of cultural, linguistic, and educational factors were analyzed. Results Minority women exhibited higher rates of delayed menopause diagnosis, lower use of HT, and a greater burden of related comorbidities. Key barriers included: lack of insurance coverage for medications, low health literacy, fear of HT side effects, and cultural myths surrounding aging, sexuality, and reproductive health. Common misconceptions included beliefs that HT causes weight gain, cancer, or general health deterioration. Cultural attitudes (such as viewing menopausal symptoms as exaggerated or linking sexual activity solely to reproduction) were prevalent. Adherence to HT was associated with higher education levels, proactive health behaviors, and positive social support. Conclusions Reducing disparities in menopause management among minority women requires comprehensive interventions that address insurance support for HT, education, healthcare access, and cultural sensitivity. Future studies should focus on implementing and evaluating programs aimed at combating misinformation, promoting proactive health behaviors, and personalizing menopause care based on the specific needs of each community. Disclosure No