The psychosexual implications of menopause.

Menopause is a natural phenomenon among middle-aged women and most go through it without any difficulty. However, it can be associated with multiple problems--physical, sexual, psychological and psychosocial. One of the areas less often discussed in most cultures is that of psychosexual problems, such as decreased frequency of sex, a lack of interest in sex, painful intercourse and feeling compelled to have sex. These problems may be associated with several physical factors such as oestrogen deficiency, menstrual difficulties or surgical menopause. Furthermore, some of the psychological and psychosocial factors, such as a negative attitude towards sex and menopause, conflicts between partners, lifestyle factors and culture, can also cause psychosexual problems in menopausal women.