Experiences of menopause during incarceration

Abstract

Objective: Despite increasing representation of older women in US jail and prison facilities, their menopause experiences and access to related care remain uncharacterized. Our objective is to explore the menopause experiences of women incarcerated in jail and prison facilities. Methods: We conducted a pilot study of four semi-structured in-depth interviews with women in the community who experienced menopause symptoms while incarcerated in either a prison or jail facility. Results: Preliminary findings suggest critical gaps in access to menopause-related resources and medical care. Participants described that lifestyle and medical interventions for menopause in prison were inaccessible, and that untreated symptoms contributed to significant distress. Participants reported feeling as though medical staff did not believe their concerns and were dismissive of their complaints. In some cases, menopause symptoms and symptom management exacerbated the ways in which institutional barriers reproduce criminalization within the carceral system. Conclusions: Individuals going through the menopause transition while experiencing incarceration have significant unmet needs and poor access to relieving lifestyle changes or medical interventions. Policy and practice changes should address menopause-related needs of individuals experiencing incarceration. Video Summary: http://links.lww.com/MENO/A730.

Menopause-related medication use among women age 45-75 experiencing incarceration in North Carolina 2015-2016

“…Women who are experiencing incarceration face unique barriers to seeking menopause-related care. A recent pilot study reported challenges in accessing clinical menopause management, as well as appropriate accommodations and social support (Jaffe et al , 2021). Better understanding the challenges to pharmacologic management of menopause symptoms in carceral settings is critical, and it is also necessary to ensure more comprehensive programming to support individuals going through the menopause transition while incarcerated.…”

“…(Gold et al , 2004; Lorvick et al , 2018; Miller et al , 2005; Monteleone et al , 2018; Nosek et al , 2012; Sauer et al , 2020; Thurston and Joffe, 2011; Tuchman, 2007; Woods et al , 2006). Additionally, carceral institutions restrict access to layered clothing, cool drinks, fans and other tools for managing menopause symptoms (Jaffe et al , 2021).…”

Standardized outcome measures of mental health in research with older adults who are incarcerated

“…The incarceration rate for women has continued to climb and compared to men, aging women face distinct burdens. These include longer sentences, pronounced histories of poverty, violence and trauma, elevated levels of chronic health problems, exacerbated menstrual and menopausal symptoms and unmet needs regarding grief and loss (Bronson and Berzofsky, 2017; Handtke et al , 2015; Jaffe et al , 2021; Golembeski et al , 2020). Substantial challenges are also likely present for older gender and sexual minorities, though too little research has been completed with these persons (Maschi and Morgen, 2020; Baćak et al , 2018).…”

Guest editorial

“…This population is growing older, but incarceration among older women is rarely the focus of research, policy or programming (Aday and Farney, 2014). Yet, compared with incarcerated older men, older women experiencing incarceration are more likely to have serious health problems and significant mobility challenges (Wahidin, Noelle and Kelly, 2005; Carlen, 2006), including menopause which can exacerbate many health conditions and is itself a major health concern for one in three older women in prison (Jaffe et al , 2021).…”