Menopause Relationships

“There are many menopause symptoms
that may impact on a woman’s relationships,
especially the one with her intimate partner”.1

Umbrella
What may the Menopause Relationships Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Menopause Lovers/Partners/Spouses
  • Menopause Relationships

Menopause

How may menopause impact on a woman’s relationships?

In Information for Partners: When Your Partner Is Going Through Menopause the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“There are many menopause symptoms that may impact on a woman’s relationships, especially the one with her intimate partner. It is important that you have some understanding of what is happening to your partner and realise that she is experiencing some major life and body changes that are out of her control. It will take time for her to work out the best way to approach and manage menopause and her symptoms”.2

Menopause Symptoms

What are some menopause symptoms?

In Perimenopause – Fact Sheet: Symptoms the JH explain:

“Symptoms can include any of the following:

  • Hot flushes
  • Night sweats
  • Irregular periods
  • Problems with falling asleep, staying asleep and sleep quality
  • Breast tenderness
  • Itchy/crawly/dry skin
  • Exhaustion
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Loss of libido (sex drive – talk to your doctor about sexual function if this concerns you)
  • Migraines
  • More pronounced premenstrual tension
  • Mood changes, such as feeling more teary and irritable. Anxiety may also occur
  • Weight gain, despite no changes to diet or exercise, due to the metabolism slowing down”.3

Sex

Is there an association between sex and menopause relationships?

In Information for Partners: Sex & Menopause the JH elaborate on:

“A key issue for couples and relationships may be that your partner is no longer keen to have sex. This can be for a range of reasons related to menopause symptoms. One key symptom is a dry vagina: Lower levels of oestrogen directly affect a woman’s vagina and can make it thinner, drier and less elastic. Also, testosterone levels fall gradually with age and this can have an impact on a woman’s level of desire at menopause”.4

In Relationships the JH elaborate on:

Menopause Relationships “The impact of sexual problems on a relationship can be significant. Painful sex (dyspareunia), problems with libido, physical changes such as menopause can all impact on your sex life and your relationship. Consider having an open discussion with your partner and/or a health professional about how you feel. If you’ve been avoiding sex this can be especially difficult. But if you do find support, it can build intimacy and help you to manage your sexual relationship more honestly. The good news is there are strategies to help you”.5

Menopause or Not

Does menopause cause all sexual problems during this time?

Not necessarily. In Relationships: Relationships & Painful Sex the JH elaborate on:

“For women approaching menopause who are experiencing sexual problems in a relationship, it is helpful to sort out how much is due to the physical symptoms of menopause rather than other sexual issues. It can be difficult to know if menopause influences your relationship with your partner, or if the relationship you have with your partner influences your experience of menopause”.6

Suggestions

What are some suggestions for partners?

In Information for Partners: Relationships the JH elaborate on:

“It is often difficult for partners to know how to help when their loved one is experiencing changes associated with menopause. Jean Hailes has put together a list of suggestions that may be helpful:

  • Listening is often better than trying to fix things…
  • Understanding ‘menopause’…
  • Menopause is an individual experience…
  • Understanding the priorities…
  • Changes you might make…
  • Consider going to the doctor together…
  • If there are relationship problems, try to discuss how you’re feeling…
  • What else is going on…
  • Communicate…
  • It’s not about you….
  • It may not be menopause…
  • Seek help from a range of practitioners if appropriate…”.7

Tips

What are some tips that can help?

In Perimenopause – Fact Sheet: Supporting Your Partner Through Perimenopause the JH elaborate on:

“Tips that can help both of you include:

  • Reading up about menopause…
  • Engaging in non-sexual ‘no strings attached’ physical contact, such as hugs and back rubs…
  • Sleeping alone when necessary…
  • Listening and asking questions….
  • Making comments that show empathy (“that sounds really hard”) and…
  • Not making jokes about her symptoms
  • Reminding your partner you find her attractive and how much you love and value her”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with my relationship?

If you would like help with your relationship, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can decide on who may be the best health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause Relationships?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Relationships?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. 5 of the Most Common Questions About Menopause
  2. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  3. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  4. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  5. EMAS Menopause Essentials
  6. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
  7. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  8. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  9. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  10. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  11. Headaches, Migraines and the Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  12. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  13. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  14. Hot Flashes: Manage Without Medication?
  15. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do?
  16. How Long Does Menopause Last? — Ask Dr Jean
  17. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  18. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  19. Libido: Managing & Treating Low Libido – Testosterone Therapy
  20. Low Sex Drive In Women
  21. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  22. Mayo Clinic Minute: Lifestyle Changes To Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  23. Menopause
  24. Menopause
  25. Menopause
  26. Menopause
  27. Menopause
  28. Menopause
  29. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  30. Menopause Map
  31. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Menopause Relationships
  32. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Menopause Relationships
  33. Menopause Map: My Personal Path Print Tools – Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  34. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  35. Menopause and Depression: Is There A Link?
  36. Menopause – Fact Sheet
  37. Menopause – Multilingual Facts Sheet
  38. Menopause: Information for Partners
  39. Menopause: Menopause and Continence
  40. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  41. Menopause: What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  42. Mood and the Menopause
  43. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Erectile Dysfunction/Sexual Enhancement
  44. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  45. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
  46. Night Sweats
  47. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  48. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: New! Vulvovaginal Pain Log
  49. Perimenopause
  50. Perimenopause
  51. Perimenopause – Fact Sheet
  52. Relate.org.uk [Relate The Relationship People]
  53. Relationship Issues
  54. Relationships
  55. Relationships.org.au [Relationships Australia]
  56. Relationships: Relationships & Libido – Talking With Your Partner
  57. Relationships: Relationships & Libido – What Can You Do About Desire Discrepancy?
  58. Relationships: Relationships & Painful Sex
  59. Sex & Relationships
  60. Sex & Relationships: Sex  Menopause [+ Video: 5 Things To Know About Sex In Later Life]
  61. Sexual Health: Female Sexual Problems
  62. Sexual Health: Male Sexual Problems
  63. Sexual Health: Sexual Health for Lesbian and Bisexual Women
  64. Sexually Transmitted Infections, All You Need To Know – Podcast
  65. Supporting Women Through Menopause – Fact Sheet
  66. Stages of Menopause
  67. Symptoms of Menopause
  68. The MATE Survey: Men’s Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Menopause and Their Role In Partners’ Menopausal Transition
  69. The Menopause Is Affecting Our Relationship, How Do I Talk To My Partner?
  70. The Menopause: Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
  71. The Menopause: Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
  72. The Menopause: Overview of the Menopause
  73. The Menopause: Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy During and After the Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
  74. The Menopause: Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause]
  75. Transformations: The Mental Health Issues That Can Accompany Menopause Often Go Unaddressed
  76. Understanding Menopause – Booklet
  77. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
  78. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  79. Urogenital Problems
  80. Vaginal Dryness
  81. Vaginal Laser Therapy
  82. Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  83. Video Series-2021: Female Urinary and Bladder Issues At Midlife
  84. Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  85. Video Series-2021: Importance of Contraception at Perimenopause
  86. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  87. Video Series-2021: What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
  88. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  89. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Is Menopause Brain Fog Real?
  90. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Is Testosterone the Answer To Low Libido?
  91. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Menopause More Than Hot Flashes
  92. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Migraine Headaches
  93. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: The Menopause Blues
  94. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: When Your Periods Leave Too Early
  95. Webinars: Previous – Perimenopause Contraception
  96. Webinars: Previous – Sexual Health Issues in Menopause
  97. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  98. What Are the 34 Symptoms of Menopause?
  99. When Sex Hurts – Podcast [Vaginismus and Vulvodynia]
  100. Women’s Wellness: Menopause Misconceptions [+ Video]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Information for Partners: When Your Partner Is Going Through Menopause. Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 03 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/information-for-partners Accessed: 12 March 2022
  2. Information for Partners: When Your Partner Is Going Through Menopause. Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 03 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/information-for-partners Accessed: 12 March 2022
  3. Perimenopause – Fact Sheet: Supporting Your Partner Through Perimenopause. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/perimenopause-fact-sheet Accessed: 12 March 2022
  4. Information for Partners: Sex & Menopause. Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 03 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/information-for-partners Accessed: 12 March 2022
  5. Relationships. Last Updated: 10 January 2020| Last Reviewed: 02 December 2013. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/relationships Accessed: 12 March 2022
  6. Relationships: Relationships & Painful Sex. Last Updated: 10 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 02 December 2013. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/relationships Accessed: 12 March 2022
  7. Information for Partners: Relationships. Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 03 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/information-for-partners Accessed: 12 March 2022
  8. Perimenopause – Fact Sheet: Supporting Your Partner Through Perimenopause. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/resources/perimenopause-fact-sheet Accessed: 12 March 2022

Topic Last Updated: 05 May 2022 — Topic Last Reviewed: 12 March 2022
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