How To Deal With Your Fears About Female Menopause, For Both Men And Women

When Pamela Roch started entering female menopause, one of her most pressing concerns was how her husband, Chuck, would deal with her "change of life". So they sat down to share their concerns, talking long into the night. It was this conversation that was the genesis of Pamela's popular lecture series, "Menopause for Dummies," in which she helps both women and men deal with the difficulties of menopause.

It turns out, according to Pamela's work with thousands of men and women, that men's and women's fears about menopause are very different. Men worry about how female menopause will affect their partner physically and behaviorally. They wonder if she will experience a drop in libido or have terrible mood swings. Some labor under the mistaken impression that women go "crazy" during menopause.

Women have concerns about the affects of menopause on their emotions. They also worry about how much support they will receive from their partners and families during this changing time. Pamela found that a large number of women had the worry that their husband would leave them and not give them the support they thought they would need. A three pronged approach was found to be a great approach to help the couple through this time filled with so many concerns and worries.

First, couples need some basic information about how menopause works and what it will and will not do to the body and emotions. According to Dr. Susan Franklin, who teaches one segment of Pamela's lectures, everyone overestimates how much menopause will affect them. "We hear many myths about menopause in popular culture," says Franklin. "We assume we'll turn into raging witches with hairy chins and constant hot flashes". The reality, says Franklin, is that most women experience mild and transient effects of menopause.

In addition, couples will need to participate in therapy. Family therapy will help them to share their fears and worries with one another. Small group therapy sessions are offered in Pamela's workshops. These sessions are led by a board-certified therapist who encourages the couples to talk to one another. Men and women will share their concerns and articulate their needs. Sex therapy can also help to increase libido, which can be a problem in female menopause.

Thirdly, Pamela states that medical treatment is beneficial for dealing for the more significant aspects of menopause for most couples. Each woman's needs will be different, thus not every woman will benefit from this type of treatment, but some will benefit from moderate medication for symptoms like mood swings, hot flashes, and unwanted hair. Low dosage hormone treatment, as well as antidepressants are often able to aid those women who are struggling with menopause, and the treatments can be slowly eliminated once they are no longer necessary.

When Pamela Roch entered female menopause, one of her biggest concerns wasn't about herself, it was about her husband, Chuck. How would he deal with her "change of life"? They decided to have a long discussion about their concerns. This conversation became the starting point for Pamela's lecture series, "Menopause for Dummies". This popular series seeks to help women and men deal with the difficulties and changes associated with menopause.

Francine Cook is a retired ex-nurse who now writes articles on women’s issues. Francine is the editor-in-chief of Menopause-Answers.info, a site where you can find more information on signs of menopause such as menopause and weight gain and menopause and depression

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