Men’s perceptions and attitudes toward their wives experiencing menopause

Abstract

In this study, we explore men's perceptions, experiences, and attitudes toward wives experiencing natural menopause. We interviewed 20 men using the oral history method. Descriptive categories of experiences, such as misconceptions about menopause overcome through coexistence and recognition of women's perspectives; recognition of women's needs and efforts to provide support; coping with changes in marital relations and need to start a new time in couple's life; and existence of several needs as husbands of women experiencing menopause were explored. A better understanding by men about the changes experienced by menopausal women fosters the development of a better emotional support for their wives, which improves the quality of marital relations.

Influences of the climacteric period on the conjugal relationship: gender perspective

“…Similar findings were reported by researchers who studied the climacteric period from the perspective of men, in which dialogue was cited as a strategy for understanding the symptomatology of this period, as well as for maintaining the complicity and intimacy of the couple (6,13,16) .…”

“…Lower sexual desire, from the perspective of the male gender, was related in a study to the loss of erotic attraction generated by the daily routine, as well as to the mutual distancing between the couple, which according to the study participants, was a normal stage of a long-term relationship and a natural event in the aging process (13) . Furthermore, there is a correlation between lower sexual desire and the cultural idea of men that women lose femininity after the cessation of menstruation, which is another important factor to consider (16,19) .…”

“…In this context, in contemporary times, the spouse is the family member that deserves prominence. The image of the male is considered by the literature to be synonymous with stability, protection and is an important source of support for women during the climacteric period (13) .…”

“…A study carried out in São Paulo with husbands of climacteric women described that the companions recognized the physical and psychic changes in women during the climacteric phase, as well as their main needs during this period, which included respect, attention, companionship, dialogue, care and protection (13) , attitudes that positively influence the relationship. This study is in line with the findings of the present research.…”

“…The loss of interest of climacteric women in sex has been mentioned in national and international studies (6,13,16) , related to typical complaints of this period such as loss of libido, loss of vaginal lubrication, and painful intercourse, as well as the false belief that loss of femininity is linked to aging (2,18) . Lower estrogen levels associated with the climacterium causes vasomotor symptoms, atrophy of the female sexual organ, leading to complaints that are correlated with this hormonal alteration (6) .…”