Psychological Aspects of Fertility, Reproduction and Menopause

Sex, Menopause and Social Context

“…She may have less intense orgasms, or they may stop altogether. (Berman & Berman, 2001, p. 157) THE MAJORITY of empirical research examining menopause and sex in developed countries has been conducted within a biomedical framework, reflecting the trajectory of scientific interest in reproduction over the last century which focused on physiology, diagnosis and medical treatment of problems (Walker & Hunter, 2002). As a consequence, research on sex and menopause has tended to report the negative impact of declining hormone levels on women's ability to engage in and/or enjoy sexual activities.…”

Menstrual pain

“…Menstruation, the shedding of the lining of the womb, is one part of a cycle of physiological changes involving the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries as well as the uterus itself [2]. In western societies, most women experience menstruation for the fi rst time between 10 and 16, and will have around 400 menstrual periods before the menopause.…”

“…The most common menstrual problem is dysmenorrhoea, or pain before and during menstruation [2]. In studies of nonpatient populations as many as 70% of women report some pain associated with menstruation, and 5-10% regularly experience pain which is severe enough to be incapacitating for between an hour to three days each month.…”