Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experience of menopause

Every individual experience of menopause is different. This is also true of the diverse group of women that make up the population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia.

A study in 2014 found many Aboriginal women do not have a word in their language for menopause. Menopause is considered a European word. The women refer to it as “the change of life”.1 A term which signifies the ageing process with an associated gain of respect in community. Experientially, Aboriginal women have told us that the term “menopause” is being adopted more readily and is considered acceptable by most women, apart from elders in the community.

The study also reported a fear of menopausal symptoms or uncertainty about causes of symptoms. Many Aboriginal women stated that they had insufficient information and there was a need for greater understanding. This extended to the men in women's lives. Their misunderstanding was noted as putting a strain on relationships, with the importance of a supportive partner acknowledged. The private nature of "women's business" was mentioned as contributing to the lack of awareness in men.1

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have higher rates of cardiovascular disease and stroke compared to non-Aboriginal Australians.2 Of those who reported having cardiovascular disease in 2018-19, 56% reported also having diabetes and 72% reported also having kidney disease.2 Mental health is also a leading cause of burden.3

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait women, breast cancer has the highest incidence rate of all types of cancers. The incidence of breast cancer compared to non-Aboriginal women is lower up until age 64 years, when the incidence rate reverses and is then higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.4 These reported numbers may be under- representative of the true impact. South Australian research has indicated that Aboriginal women were less likely to have breast screening, systemic therapies and surgical intervention.5

Health risk factors among Aboriginal peoples are also greater, with twice the rate of smoking, higher levels of stressful life events, poorer nutrition and lower physical activity levels.5, 6 “In 2018–19, First Nations adults were 1.2 times as likely to be living with overweight or obesity as non-Indigenous adults (77% compared with 66%), and 1.5 times as likely to be living with obesity (47% compared with 31%)”, with slightly more Aboriginal women living with obesity compared to men.6

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women also have lower educational attainments (20% have a post-school qualification) compared to non-Indigenous women (37%). Lower educational attainment has been linked with an increase in menopause symptoms.7

The average age of menopause in Australian women is approximately 51-52 years, with onset ranging anywhere between 45 and 64 years. The average age of menopause onset appears earlier in most Aboriginal groups.7, 8

References

  1. Jurgenson JR, Jones EK, Haynes E, et al. Exploring Australian Aboriginal women's experiences of menopause: a descriptive study. BMC Womens Health. 2014;14(1):47. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6874-14-47
  2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Indigenous Australians Agency. Measure 1.05 Cardiovascular disease. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework: Tier 1 Health status and outcomes. Canberra: AIHW and NIAA; 2023 [cited 13 Nov 2024]. Available from: https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/1-05-cardiovascular-disease
  3. Burns J, Maling C, Thomson N. Review of Indigenous female health. Perth, WA; 2010. Available from:https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/uploads/docs/womens_health_review_may_2010.pdf
  4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Indigenous Australians Agency. Measure 1.08 Cancer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework: Tier 1 Health status and outcomes. Canberra: AIHW and NIAA; 2023 [cited 13 Nov 2024]. Available from: https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/1-08-cancer
  5. Banham D, Roder D, Keefe D, et al. Disparities in breast screening, stage at diagnosis, cancer treatment and the subsequent risk of cancer death: a retrospective, matched cohort of aboriginal and non-aboriginal women with breast cancer. BMC Health Services Research. 2019;19(1):387. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4147-5
  6. Australian Institute of Health Welfare. Overweight and obesity. Canberra: AIHW; 2024 [cited 13 Nov 2024]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity
  7. Jones EK, Jurgenson JR, Katzenellenbogen JM, et al. Menopause and the influence of culture: another gap for Indigenous Australian women? BMC Women's Health. 2012;12(1):43. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6874-12-43
  8. McKenna EM. The experience, knowledge and relevance of menopause to aboriginal and Caucasian women in Far North Queensland [Masters]. Queensland: The University of Queensland; 2001.
 
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