Characteristics of UK ethnic minority groups

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The following illustrative table is based on collated information by the British Menopause Society on certain selected UK ethnic minority groups.

Distinctive characteristics of UK ethnic minority groups:

	Women of African Caribbean origin	South-east Asian women (China, Japan etc)	South Asian women (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc)
Onset of menopause	Average age of onset of menopause: 49.6 years, African American women living in the US.	Not listed.	Average age of onset of menopause: Indian women in India: 46.7 years. Pakistani women in India: 47.2 years.
Experience of symptoms	More severe vasomotor symptoms, the highest prevalence and longest duration. Sleep duration shortest, more frequent awakenings, less efficient sleep. Weight gain and mental health issues are commoner. Sexual function decline is less likely.	Forgetfulness, joint and muscle pains. Fewer complaints of severe vasomotor symptoms.	Indian women are more likely to experience vulval and uro-gynaecological symptoms.
Other differences	Report a greater importance of sex.	Lower bone mineral density but lower risk of osteoporotic fractures.	Higher incidence of cardiovascular risk factors during menopause transition. Mental and sexual health discussions can be difficult to initiate.

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