Women are often apprehensive when the first symptoms of menopause appear. Because, in the collective unconscious, this process marks the end of sexual life. However, this is not the case for many women.
Every year, October 18 is dedicated to menopause. This international day is an opportunity to highlight this natural phenomenon marked by the cessation of ovulation and the disappearance of periods. Because it varies enormously from one woman to another, some experience this stage of their life as a liberation, and others as a real burden.
This is due, among other things, to the many symptoms that those affected may experience. More than 60% of women report experiencing hot flashes when menopause occurs, according to the "SexReport" by Adam and Eve*. Fewer women suffer from sleep disorders (45 to 50%) and gain weight (more than 40%). Menopause, a brake on women’s sexuality?
These physical manifestations of ovarian failure can affect their well-being and affect their self-confidence. In fact, half of the women over 50 surveyed said they felt less good about their bodies when menopause occurred. The other half of respondents said they did not perceive any bodily changes, and only 10% said they felt better about themselves since they stopped having their periods.
Whether it is experienced positively or not, menopause is seen as a pivotal period in a woman's life. It is an opportunity to approach one's sexual life differently, without being afraid, for example, of getting pregnant. But one still has to free oneself from the injunctions linked to sexuality.
Unfortunately, some women over 50 are unable to do so. 35% of those surveyed have already had sexual intercourse without wanting to, while 21% have already experimented with practices that did not attract them in order to please their partner. Fortunately, in the majority of cases, menopausal women feel rather good, or even very good, in their sexuality.
*The Adam & Eve "SexReport" was conducted online, in partnership with Trends Research, among a sample of 1,000 women over 50 living in metropolitan France.
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