--- title: "Healthcare Advocacy for Black Women in Menopause | Pause + Reset" description: "Practical strategies for advocating for your health as a Black woman navigating menopause, including how to find culturally competent providers." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "MedicalBusiness", "LocalBusiness" ], "name": "Pause & Reset", "description": "Atlanta's dedicated perimenopause and menopause practice offering bioidentical hormone therapy, comprehensive hormone testing, GLP-1 weight loss management, peptide therapy, IV nutrient therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and functional medicine in Dunwoody GA.", "url": "https://pausereset.com", "telephone": "+14044458344", "email": "hello@pausereset.com", "image": "https://pausereset.com/assets/logo-Cj2twgJt.webp", "priceRange": "$$$$", "paymentAccepted": "Cash, Credit Card", "currenciesAccepted": "USD", "openingHours": [ "Mo-Fr 10:00-16:30", "Sa 09:00-15:30" ], "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "8735 Dunwoody Place, Suite 110", "addressLocality": "Atlanta", "addressRegion": "GA", "postalCode": "30350", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 33.9957197, "longitude": -84.3489781 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Dunwoody, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Sandy Springs, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Brookhaven, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Chamblee, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Doraville, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Tucker, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Atlanta, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Buckhead, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Roswell, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Alpharetta, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Johns Creek, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Milton, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Marietta, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Smyrna, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Kennesaw, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Decatur, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Stone Mountain, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Norcross, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Peachtree Corners, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Duluth, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Suwanee, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Lawrenceville, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Lilburn, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "East Point, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "College Park, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Vinings, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Mableton, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Cumming, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Canton, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Woodstock, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Acworth, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Holly Springs, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Dallas, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Douglasville, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Snellville, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Loganville, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Buford, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Flowery Branch, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Gainesville, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Conyers, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Covington, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "McDonough, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Stockbridge, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Fayetteville, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Peachtree City, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Newnan, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Carrollton, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Winder, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Dacula, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Braselton, Georgia" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Jefferson, Georgia" } ], "hasOfferCatalog": { "@type": "OfferCatalog", "name": "Perimenopause and Menopause Services", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "MedicalTherapy", "name": "Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy", "description": "Personalized bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone therapy for perimenopause and menopause symptoms." }, { "@type": "MedicalTherapy", "name": "GLP-1 Weight Loss Management", "description": "Semaglutide and tirzepatide prescribed alongside hormone optimization for menopause-related weight management." }, { "@type": "MedicalTherapy", "name": "Peptide Therapy", "description": "Evidence-based peptide protocols for tissue repair, sleep, body composition, immune support, and recovery during midlife." }, { "@type": "MedicalTherapy", "name": "IV Nutrient Therapy", "description": "Lab-guided intravenous nutrient infusions customized to documented deficiencies for perimenopause and menopause support." }, { "@type": "MedicalTherapy", "name": "Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy", "description": "Pressurized oxygen therapy for tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and cellular recovery during the menopause transition." }, { "@type": "MedicalTherapy", "name": "EBOO Ozone Therapy", "description": "Blood oxygenation and filtration therapy for inflammation, immune support, and detoxification during perimenopause and menopause." }, { "@type": "MedicalTest", "name": "Comprehensive Hormone Testing", "description": "15+ marker hormone panel including estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, full thyroid, insulin, and nutrient levels." }, { "@type": "MedicalTest", "name": "DUTCH Hormone Testing", "description": "Dried urine testing for hormone metabolism pathways showing how the body processes and clears estrogen." }, { "@type": "MedicalTherapy", "name": "Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation", "description": "Treatment for urinary leaking, urgency, and painful intercourse caused by menopause-related tissue and muscle changes." }, { "@type": "MedicalTherapy", "name": "Medical Weight Loss", "description": "Comprehensive metabolic evaluation and treatment for menopause-related weight gain including hormones, GLP-1, and nutrition." }, { "@type": "MedicalTherapy", "name": "Nutrition and Metabolic Counseling", "description": "Personalized nutrition, supplementation, and metabolic strategy for women in perimenopause and menopause." } ] }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/pausenresetco", "https://atlantatrichology.com", "https://ninaross.co" ], "founder": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Nina Ross", "jobTitle": "Menopause Specialist", "url": "https://ninaross.co", "sameAs": [ "https://ninaross.co", "https://atlantatrichology.com" ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Being Your Own Advocate: Getting the Menopause Care You Deserve", "description": "Too many Black women are dismissed or undertreated. Here's how to navigate the system and get real help.", "datePublished": "December 5, 2025", "dateModified": "December 5, 2025", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Nina Ross", "jobTitle": "MD, Functional Medicine Physician", "worksFor": { "@type": "MedicalOrganization", "name": "Pause + Reset" } }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Pause + Reset", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://pausereset.com/logo.png" } }, "image": "/assets/article-black-women-B6h5cYo0.webp", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://pausereset.com/articles/healthcare-advocacy" } } ] --- [![pause + reset](/assets/logo-Cj2twgJt.webp)](/) Symptoms Treatments Atlanta [About](/about) Book ![Being Your Own Advocate: Getting the Menopause Care You Deserve](/assets/article-black-women-B6h5cYo0.webp) [Back to Articles](/articles) black-women # Being Your Own Advocate: Getting the Menopause Care You Deserve Too many Black women are dismissed or undertreated. Here's how to navigate the system and get real help. ![Dr. Nina Ross](/assets/dr-nina-medspa-v2-DCgjiRes.webp) Dr. Nina Ross December 5, 2025 8 min read The healthcare system often fails Black women, especially when it comes to menopause care. Studies show Black women receive less pain medication, have symptoms more likely to be dismissed, and are less likely to be offered treatments like hormone therapy. Here's how to advocate for the care you deserve. ## Understanding the Barriers **Implicit bias in medicine:** Healthcare providers, even well-meaning ones, may hold unconscious biases that affect the care they provide. **Historical trauma:** Understandable distrust from historical medical abuses can make healthcare interactions more stressful. **Symptom dismissal:** Black women's pain and symptoms are more likely to be minimized or attributed to psychological causes. **Limited research:** Medical research has historically underrepresented Black women, leaving gaps in understanding how treatments work in this population. ## Strategies for Self-Advocacy **Document everything:** Keep a symptom diary with dates, severity, and impact on daily life. This creates an objective record that's harder to dismiss. **Bring support:** Consider bringing a friend, family member, or patient advocate to appointments. **Ask direct questions:** 'What is your experience treating Black women with menopause?' 'Why are you recommending this over other options?' **Request documentation:** If a provider refuses a test or treatment, ask them to document the refusal and their reasoning in your chart. **Seek second opinions:** If you feel dismissed, you have every right to see another provider. ## Finding the Right Provider Look for providers who: - Have experience with diverse patient populations - Specialize in menopause care - Listen without interrupting - Take your concerns seriously - Are willing to explain their reasoning - Make you feel comfortable and respected ## Know Your Rights You have the right to: - Receive care without discrimination - Get clear explanations of your diagnosis and treatment options - Refuse treatment - Access your medical records - File complaints about inadequate care ## Why Pause + Reset Exists We built Pause + Reset because we believe every woman—especially Black women—deserves access to expert menopause care delivered with respect and understanding. You shouldn't have to fight to be heard. ![Dr. Nina Ross](/assets/dr-nina-medspa-v2-DCgjiRes.webp) Dr. Nina Ross ND, Ph.D · Medical Director Board-certified in functional medicine, Dr. Ross helps women optimize their hormones and reclaim their health. ### Ready to feel better? Book a free 10-minute call to discuss your symptoms and options. [Book Free Call](/understand) ## Related Articles [ ![Menopause in Black Women: What Makes It Different](/assets/article-black-women-B6h5cYo0.webp) black-women ### Menopause in Black Women: What Makes It Different Black women reach menopause earlier and experience more severe symptoms. Here's why—and what to do about it. ](/articles/black-women-menopause) [ ![Fibroids and Menopause: What Black Women Need to Know](/assets/article-black-women-B6h5cYo0.webp) black-women ### Fibroids and Menopause: What Black Women Need to Know Fibroids are far more common in Black women—and menopause changes the picture. Here's what to expect. ](/articles/fibroids-menopause) Ready to feel like yourself again? ## Let's talk about what you're experiencing Book a free 10-minute call. We'll answer your questions and help you choose the right path forward. [Free 10-Min Call](/free-call) No commitment · No pressure · Just answers [pause + reset ](/) Personalized hormone optimization and functional medicine for women who refuse to "just deal with it." [8735 Dunwoody Place, Ste 110 Sandy Springs, GA 30350 ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pause+and+Reset+Wellness+Center/@33.9957197,-84.3489781,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88f50b464e2bfef3:0xcbe2874180259419!8m2!3d33.9957197!4d-84.3489781!16s%2Fg%2F11zjjffhn0)[(404) 445-8344 ](tel:+14044458344)[hello@pausereset.com ](mailto:hello@pausereset.com) Mon–Fri 10am–4:30pm · Sat 9am–3:30pm · Sun Closed [](https://instagram.com/pausenresetco)[](https://facebook.com/pausenresetco)[](https://tiktok.com/@pausenresetco)[](https://youtube.com/@pausenresetco) Services - [Hormone Therapy](/treatments/bioidentical-hormone-therapy) - [Bioidentical Hormones](/atlanta/bioidentical-hormones) - [GLP-1 Weight Loss](/atlanta/semaglutide-weight-loss) - [Peptide Therapy](/atlanta/peptide-therapy) - [IV Therapy](/atlanta/iv-therapy) - [HBOT](/atlanta/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy) - [EBOO](/atlanta/eboo-ozone-therapy) Learn - [Perimenopause](/perimenopause) - [Menopause](/menopause) - [Symptoms](/symptoms) - [Treatments](/treatments) - [Atlanta](/locations/atlanta) Connect - [Instagram](https://instagram.com/pausenresetco) - [Facebook](https://facebook.com/pausenresetco) - [TikTok](https://tiktok.com/@pausenresetco) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/@pausenresetco) © 2026 Pause + Reset. All rights reserved. Last updated: May 2026 [Privacy](/privacy)[Terms](/terms)