Reproductive Endocrinology

SUN-148 - Barriers to the Improvement of Sexual Life with HRT

Sunday, June 14, 2026

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT

Location: ENDOExpo; Poster Floor

Abstract Poster Presenter(s)

Margaret Parker, MS4

Medical Student
University College Cork
Bedminster, NJ, United States

Senior Author/Primary Investigator(s)

AD

Alberto Dominguez-bali, MD, PhD, MPH

Miami Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Human Sexuality, Miami, Florida, USA
Hialeah, Florida, United States

Co-Author(s)

CD

Catherine Dominguez-Bali, PhD, MSN

Registered Nurse
Miami Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Human Sexuality, Miami, Florida, United States
Hialeah, Florida, United States

Disclosure(s):

Margaret Parker, MS4: No financial relationships to disclose

Introduction:
Menopausal women from minority backgrounds face medical disparities related to
insurance coverage, sociocultural and economic factors, which affect their menopause
diagnosis and access to hormone therapy (HT).

Objective:
To evaluate the impact of sociocultural barriers, medical misinformation, and limited
healthcare access on menopause diagnosis and HT use in minority women, and to
identify practical strategies for improving their care.

MATERIALS AND

Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on menopausal patients seen at Hialeah
Hospital and HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, institutions primarily serving Latin American
(70%), White American (15%), African American/African/Haitian (10%), and other
minority (5%) populations. Data on menopause diagnosis rates, HT usage patterns,
patient-reported reasons for accepting or rejecting therapy, and the influence of cultural,
linguistic, and educational factors were analyzed.

Results:
Minority women exhibited higher rates of delayed menopause diagnosis, lower use of
HT, and a greater burden of related comorbidities. Key barriers included: lack of
insurance coverage for medications, low health literacy, fear of HT side effects, and
cultural myths surrounding aging, sexuality, and reproductive health. Common
misconceptions included beliefs that HT causes weight gain, cancer, or general health
deterioration.

Cultural attitudes—such as viewing menopausal symptoms as exaggerated or linking
sexual activity solely to reproduce—were prevalent. Adherence to HT was associated
with higher education levels, proactive health behaviors, and positive social support.
Proposed preventive strategies include: expanding access to affordable insurance that
supports necessary prescriptions, providing language services to overcome linguistic
barriers, normalizing conversations around postmenopausal symptoms (e.g., vaginal
bleeding), and encouraging regular medical check-ups. Public health campaigns,
community education programs, and wellness initiatives focused on the physical,
mental, and sexual health of middle-aged women are recommended. These
interventions must be culturally sensitive, respect community values, and be grounded
in scientific evidence.

Conclusion:
Reducing disparities in menopause management among minority women requires
comprehensive interventions that address: insurance support for HT, education,
healthcare access, and cultural sensitivity. Future studies should focus on implementing
and evaluating programs aimed at combating misinformation, promoting proactive
health behaviors, and personalizing menopause care based on the specific needs of
each community.

*Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO must not be released to the press or the public until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.*