A personal viewpoint from a nursing sister / counsellor
Most of us baby boomers, having reached the “Fabulous Fifties” should now be entering the more care free years. Unfortunately the 50’s can present us with a range of challenges – some expected and some surprises. These need to be resolved if we are to fully enjoy the freedoms we now have.
Menopause, usually starting with those symptoms of mood swings, hot flushes & disturbed sleeping patterns can place a severe strain on relationships during this time. Fortunately help is available through visiting your doctor, reading articles in womens’ magazines and medical / health web sites.
Our husbands / partners also suffer stress during these times. Not only do they have to put up with us, they also have major challenges to handle. How and when to retire, financial worries, loss of purpose, all make for a difficult mix. Often the results of this stress can be a loss of physical strength and libido (sex drive).
The worst response to a loss of sexual interest or performance is to ignore it. Honest communication is essential and a visit to your doctor is a good starting point to rectifying the problem. There are also plenty of counsellors who can probably assist. If necessary, your doctor can probably suggest some.
We should, by this stage of our lives together, be able to give understanding, love and support to each other. Seek the intimacy we shared early in our relationship – communication during these years is essential.
