Anxiety, fatigue, weight gain, hot flashes and decreased libido are signs of menopause. While this “third age” of a woman is generally dreaded, Muslims consider it “the age of maturity” that must not induce despair. Indeed, with her will and faith, a woman can overcome the possible physical and psychological changes perimenopause brings about

　　There is no doubt that menopause is a difficult stage of life, in psychological terms, as it signifies the fading of youth and the end of the ability to bear children. Marie Claude, a professor at Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris, determined that the factors which affect the onset of menopause are hereditary. A woman should be able to estimate when she will have her final period if she knows at which age her mother reached menopause. There are also non-hereditary factors to consider, such as an imbalanced diet, poor social and economic conditions, tension and smoking, because tobacco can intensify the decrease of estrogen production.

　　The professor also states that the period of physical and psychological problems is an interim transition. Afterwards, the organs will become accustomed to the decreased hormone levels and create a new balance for the body to function normally. Some of those changes are:

　　1- Decreased libido

　　During menopause, vaginal atrophy and a healthy shrinking of outer and inner genital areas takes place due to the absence of estrogen. Regular sexual activity is almost sufficient to preserve the moistening of the cells. Water soluble vaginal lubricants and vaginal estrogen which counters dryness are also helpful.

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