THE MENOPAUSE - WOMENS PSYCHOLOGY AND HEALTH-CARE

Menopause has often been described as a time of loss and decay in the lay and medical literature. The present research aims at defining wome n's perception of themselves and their health care needs in this perio d of life. Through a community-based sample of women, participative as sessments were performed and their conclusions contrasted with the opi nions of male and female gynecologists. Though both groups coincided c oncerning the relevance of loneliness, partnership, beauty and the ''e mpty nest'' syndrome, several items showed a marked difference between both groups. Gynecologists tended to perceive women as much more stri ving for an active sex-life, depressed, lacking projects for the futur e and worried about their health care than they actually were. Women, instead, stressed the relevance of menopause as a life crisis laden wi th opportunities for self-accomplishment and positive changes in life- style towards greater autonomy. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Lt d