Talking about menopause with women from ethnic minorities – Rushna Mia & Dr Louise Newson

In this episode, Dr Louise Newson talks to Rushna Mia about her menopause experience and how she is aiming to increase awareness of the menopause and support for women and their families within her local Asian community. 

Rushna works in a primary school, is a busy mother of 4, grandmother of a 3-year-old and helps run her family’s businesses. She is passionate about supporting women within her community and takes a lead in various women’s groups. Rushna describes the particular issue of the menopause as a taboo within Asian communities and says it is mostly swept under the carpet and not spoken about. 

It took Rushna around 8 years to recognise that the symptoms she was experiencing were due to the menopause and the doctors she saw did not raise this possibility either. After seeing Dr Sarah Ball at the Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre and feeling so much better on the right treatment, Rushna now wants other women to know the right help is available. 

Rushna’s Three Take Home Tips:

1. Use social media, there’s lots of free information out there that can be really helpful regarding your symptoms. 
2. Speak to your GP or try the Nurse again, ask if there are any local women’s groups. 
3. Women should work together to help other women and their families. It’s important that everyone knows that help and support is available.