Menopause Relationships

“When your partner goes through menopause,
different hormonal changes will affect their body,
health, energy levels and mood”.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 the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“When your partner goes through menopause, different hormonal changes will affect their body, health, energy levels and mood. They may also have different emotions about coming to the end of their reproductive years.

While every woman’s experience is different, it’s a good idea to learn about menopause and related symptoms so you can support them through this time”.2

Physical Symptoms

What are some physical symptoms of menopause?

In Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms — Physical Symptoms the JH explain:

“Physical symptoms may include:

  • Irregular periods
  • Hot flushes
  • Night sweats
  • Sleep problems
  • Sore breasts
  • Itchy, crawly or dry skin
  • Exhaustion and fatigue
  • Dry vagina
  • Loss of sex drive (libido)
  • Headaches or migraines
  • More pronounced premenstrual tension (PMS)
  • Aches and pains
  • Bloating
  • Urinary problems
  • Weight gain due to a slower metabolism”.3

Emotional Symptoms

What are some emotional symptoms of menopause?

In Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms — Emotional Symptoms the JH explain:

“Emotional symptoms may include:

  • Feeling irritable or frustrated
  • Feeling anxious
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Forgetfulness
  • Lowered mood
  • Mood swings
  • Feeling you can’t cope as well as you used to”.4

Sex

Is there an association between sex and menopause relationships?

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

“It’s common for women to have lower sex drive (libido) during menopause. This could be due to many things, including changing hormone levels, vaginal atrophy, vaginal dryness (which can cause discomfort during sex) and lowered mood and fatigue”.5

In Relationships the JH elaborate on:

“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”.6

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”.7

Tips for Couples and Partners

What are some tips for couples and partners?

In Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help — Tips for Couples and Partners the JH explain:

“The years surrounding menopause can be difficult for women and families, but supportive communication can help. These tips from Ms Needleman are designed for couples, but some may also apply to women who don’t have a partner.

  • Learn together…
  • Negotiate sex…
  • Maintain connection…
  • Wait for calm….
  • Practise self-care”.8

In Information for Partners: Tips To Support Your Partner the JH also elaborate on:


Menopause Relationships“There are many things you can do to help your partner through the different stages of menopause.

For example:

  • Listen and be supportive
  • Understand that some (not all) mood changes may be due to menopause
  • Allow your partner to express their feelings, even if you don’t understand them
  • Ask your partner to help you understand their symptoms
  • Encourage your partner to talk about what they need and when they need it
  • Keep an open mind about why your partner may be acting differently
  • Support your partner to make healthy choices, like eating healthy food and reducing alcohol consumption (which can affect menopausal symptoms)
  • Be patient when it comes to sex – and find other ways to be intimate
  • Go with your partner to medical appointments or counselling (if required)”.9

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 A-Z 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.

New or Updated

  1. Alcohol and Menopause: A Balancing Act
  2. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  3. BMS Statement on Testosterone
  4. BMS TV: Headaches, Migraines and the Menopause
  5. BMS TV: Menopause – Weight Gain, Nutrition and Lifestyle
  6. BMS TV: Testosterone Explained
  7. Contraception and the Menopause
  8. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  9. Don’t Let the ‘Seven-Year Itch’ Sabotage Your Relationship
  10. Dr. Louise Newson Breaks Down The Menopause & Lisa Snowdon Shares Her Experience | This Morning
  11. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  12. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  13. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  14. Hot Flashes
  15. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  16. I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E9: The Menopause: Can Every Woman That Wants It Have HRT?
  17. Information for Partners
  18. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  19. Is Menopause Making Me Put on Weight? No, But It’s Complicated
  20. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
  21. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
  22. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy During and After Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
  23. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause]
  24. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  25. Let’s Talk Low Libido
  26. Libido: Managing & Treating Low Libido
  27. Loss of Libido
  28. Low Sex Drive In Women
  29. Lubricant Alternatives: What To Use and What To Avoid
  30. Many Older Women Have Active Sex Lives, But Menopause Can Interfere
  31. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns
  32. Menopause
  33. Menopause
  34. Menopause
  35. Menopause
  36. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  37. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: What Is Menopause?
  38. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  39. Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
  40. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  41. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  42. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  43. Menopause and Mental Health
  44. Menopause – Multilingual Facts Sheet
  45. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  46. Menopause: Menopause and Continence
  47. Menopause: Things You Can Do
  48. Mood and the Menopause
  49. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  50. Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
  51. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  52. Night Sweats
  53. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  54. Perimenopause
  55. Perimenopause
  56. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Menopause Relationships
  57. Postmenopause
  58. Preparing for Menopause
  59. Prosayla Supported By ISSWSH [International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health]
  60. Questions To Ask Your GP About Menopause
  61. Relate.org.uk [Relate The Relationship People]
  62. Relationships
  63. Relationships.org.au [Relationships Australia]
  64. Relationships: Relationships & Libido – Talking With Your Partner
  65. Relationships: Relationships & Libido – What Can You Do About Desire Discrepancy?
  66. Relationships: Relationships & Painful Sex
  67. Self-Help Tool: Menopause and Mental Wellbeing
  68. Sexual Health: Sexual Health for Lesbian and Bisexual Women
  69. Sexually Transmitted Infections, All You Need To Know – Podcast
  70. Stages of Menopause
  71. Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
  72. Symptoms of Menopause
  73. The MATE Survey: Men’s Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Menopause and Their Role In Partners’ Menopausal Transition
  74. The Menopause
  75. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  76. Therapy for the Effects of Menopause
  77. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  78. Vaginal Dryness
  79. Vaginal Dryness
  80. Vaginal Dryness: What To Do About It
  81. Vaginal Oestrogen
  82. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  83. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  84. Video Series-2023: NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  85. Video Series-2023: New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
  86. Video: Researchers Emphasize Normalization of Menopause
  87. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  88. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: What Women Should Know About Menopause and Brain Fog
  89. “We’re Just Tired”: Influences on Sexual Activity Among Male-Partnered Women In Midlife; A Mixed Method Study
  90. Webinars: Previous – Pay Attention on Your Way In! The Vulva Is An Important Organ Too
  91. What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Menopause
  92. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  93. What Happens If A Woman Takes Viagra?
  94. What Is Menopause?
  95. What Is Menopause?
  96. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  97. What To Expect In Each Stage of Menopause
  98. When Sex Hurts – Podcast [Vaginismus and Vulvodynia]
  99. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
  100. Yes, You Can Have Better Sex In Midlife and In the Years Beyond

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Information for Partners. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/information-for-partners Accessed: 22 November 2023
  2. Information for Partners. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/information-for-partners Accessed: 22 November 2023
  3. Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms — Physical Symptoms. Last Updated: 04 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms#physical-and-emotional-symptoms Accessed: 22 November 2023
  4. Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms — Emotional Symptoms. Last Updated: 04 September 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms#physical-and-emotional-symptoms Accessed: 22 November 2023
  5. Information for Partners: Sex and Menopause. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/information-for-partners Accessed: 22 November 2023
  6. Relationships. Last Updated: 26 August 2023| Last Reviewed: 02 December 2013. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/relationships Accessed: 22 November 2023
  7. Relationships: Relationships & Painful Sex. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 02 December 2013. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/relationships Accessed: 22 November 2023
  8. Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help — Tips for Couples and Partners. Last Updated: 25 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 10 October 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/news/navigating-menopause-together-how-partners-can-help Accessed: 22 November 2023
  9. Information for Partners: Relationships. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/information-for-partners Accessed: 22 November 2023
Topic Last Updated: 22 November 2023 — Topic Last Reviewed: 22 November 2023

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