Menopause symptoms and attitudes of African American women: Closing the knowledge gap and expanding opportunities for counseling

Menopause, a normal midlife transition for women, remains poorly understood, especially for minority women. A total of 226 African American midlife women completed the Menopause Symptoms List (J. M. Perz, 1997); Menopause Attitude Scale (C. Bowles, 1986); Attitudes Toward Menopause checklist (B. L. Neugarten, V. Wood, R. J. Kraines, & B. Loomes, 1963); and instruments to elicit information about health status, stressful life events, social support, and demographics. The results reveal strengths as well as areas of concern for African American women in responding to normative midlife changes. Implications for counselors are explored.