Menopause, psychology and sexuality
Elena Iracheta, a clinical psychologist at UDM, talks about menopause, psychology, and sexuality.
Menopause is a time of significant changes in a woman's life, where, as in previous stages, physical and psychological symptoms are intertwined.
Menopause, psychology and sexuality
On a psychological level, women report symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, insecurity, fear, distrust, memory changes, etc., as well as feelings of inferiority and insomnia—the latter perhaps being the symptom that has the greatest negative impact on women's lives, with early onset insomnia being the most common.
These symptoms make this a difficult period for women. Furthermore, their children are growing up, and many are leaving home—what is known as "empty nest syndrome" (Amore el Al, 2004). It can also coincide with a period of early retirement or the end of a professional career; illness or death of parents...
All of this entails changes, and it must be understood that any life change is associated with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Physical changes and depression
On a physical level, many of the symptoms are bothersome, such as hot flashes, hormonal changes, weight gain, and this situation makes women feel even more affected psychologically.
In psychological evaluations of menopausal women, irritability is the most frequently reported and concerning symptom. It is defined as anger, tension, intolerance, hostility, rage, and a feeling of loss of control. The evaluations I am referring to were conducted using the Born Scale (Born et al., 2008).
Depression is more common if it has already occurred in youth—in these cases, the likelihood of recurrence increased fivefold. The hormonal relationship with serotonin increases vulnerability to depression during menopause.
It's important to highlight the anticipation of symptoms that predisposes women to experience hardship. These are often erroneous negative thoughts or cognitions about themselves and the future. These negative ideas condition a negative view of what lies ahead, leading to emotional and behavioral problems. The truth is, when the time comes, women say they expected menopause to be much worse than it actually was.
Lack of sexual desire during menopause
Another common symptom is a lack of sexual desire or appetite . This is often accompanied by vaginal dryness, which can strain relationships and cause further problems in women's lives. A high percentage of menopausal women experience unsatisfactory sexuality, with the causes being both biological and psychosocial.
Some disorders are explained by estrogen deficiency. Others by the coexistence of other psychological disorders, such as depression. In many cases, several of these factors coexist.
Among the most common sexual symptoms is dipareunia. This appears to be a consequence of the reduction or disappearance of lubricating fluid due to the direct effect of the sudden reduction in ovarian estrogen hormone.
Secondly, a lack of sexual desire is also very common among menopausal women. Orgasm, when achieved, is much less intense.
Menopause, psychology, and sexuality: how to see the positive side
HRT (hormone replacement therapy), local estrogen therapy, lubricants, and the help of a sexologist who can teach women other sexual resources other than those they have experienced up to that point are recommended.
In general, menopause is a difficult time in a woman's life. She feels undervalued and begins to decline; she begins to age. The age of reproductive capacity ends, and for many women, this marks the beginning of the decline of life.
Like all changes, and especially during this period, it affects many aspects of life. It requires time to adapt and understand. First and foremost, for the woman, but also for her partner and family.
If the change is accepted, a woman's life doesn't have to be worse; quite the opposite. At this stage, there are fewer family obligations, no longer the fear of an unwanted pregnancy, and so on.
Always trying to see the positive side of things makes changes much more acceptable.
The Women's Unit has a menopause area specializing in ensuring the well-being of women throughout this stage.
Article published by clinical psychologist Elena Iracheta Ruiz.
If you found this article interesting and would like to be seen by a professional expert in psychology, the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital has a specialized unit in this area. You can request more information by calling 91 387 51 72/73/74 or request an appointment using the following link; always with the best specialists.