MENOPAUSE - A DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE, NOT A DEFICIENCY DISEASE

Based on a combination of clinical and survey data, this article posit ions menopause as a unique stage of development within the midlife per iod of reconstruction. Viewing midlife women in therapy as a special s ample of midlife women in general, the authors challenge therapists to go beyond the current medical conception of menopause as a ''deficien cy disease.'' Reflecting society's negative social construction of men opause, the data indicate that both therapists and their menopausal pa tients are hesitant to discuss menopause. Therapists report most women who do discuss menopause in psychotherapy say that menopause means '' getting old.'' The unexpected ambivalence of therapists regarding disc ussion of menopausal issues is analyzed in terms of countertransferenc e issues.