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SUMMARY : Ten millions of women are reaching menopause. They can expect to live a further 30 years and for some of them who will be centenarian the age of fifty is the middle of their life. In the old days menopause was described as the retirement of the uterus and of sexuality.

The hormonal status of the menopaused woman changes and destabilises the woman to a lesser or greater extent depending on the personality, the culture, the social, familial and professional environment of the person. The housewife was often dedicated to the others. No longer being a mother returns her to the Œemptiness syndrome.

She can then experience different forms of evolution: - towards severe depression or even suicide, - towards a narcissist revalorization by taking of other children, - towards a readaptation and a change in life.

The working woman is less perturbed, but if menopause coincides with the departure of children, the shock will be felt and can last for quite a period of time.

In most cases the couple evolves towards either a conflict if it was fragile beforehand, or a better acceptation if unity has been preserved. In fact, ageing becomes a reality with menopause and any individual facing it can experience a loss of stability.

All the psychological modifications related to hormonal depletion slow down and reduce the sexual response but do not prevent it. The libido can be seriously deteriorated but in some women desire is intact and sometimes increased. Orgasm can be slower to come or lesser in amplitude. Some women discover orgasm at that age. Note that the current sexual liberation and the related information in the population under 30 have an impact on older women who are more daring than before.

Treatments:
1 Drugs often give good results (anxiolytic, antidepressors, hormones...)
2 The woman must be correctly informed about the physiological changes related to menopause.
3 Aesthetic surgery can be envisaged in some cases.
4 Gymnastic (and other sports) are positive for hygiene and diet, prevent muscular amyotrophia, preserve the bone stock and the cardio-vascular and pulmonary systems.
5 Psychotherapy helps women to better evaluate their needs and to assume them.
6 Sexotherapists aim to rehabilitating the body, sexuality, desire and pleasure.

The sexual activity of a woman is no longer limited by age as long as the psychological stimulation remains efficient.