In contrast to the compendium of deficiency and disease literature, recent evidence suggests that menopause is not particularly problematic for most women (Avis & McKinlay, 1991; Ballinger, 1990; DeLorey, 1992; Greene & Cooke, 1980). Cross-cultural and lifespan developmental studies have been particularly useful in constructing alternatives to unidimensional biomedical paradigms. Cross-cultural studies have found that […]

These methodological flaws do not arise from the random oversights of different researchers, but reflect underlying conceptual biases. This bias revolves around a heavy biological reductionism that flavors views about all women. In this section we elaborate three assumptions that underlie this biological focus and lead to concepts of women as opposite from the male […]

A host of methodological flaws form the backdrop of the published medical literature on menopause. Common flaws include: (a) vague or non­existent operational definitions; (b) lack of baseline data; (c) problems in establishing dose-response relationships; (d) lack of control groups; (e) overgeneralization; (f) retrospective reporting; (g) use of biased symptom checklists; (h) lack of context; […]

In this section we present the publication patterns and topical focus of the medical and psychological literature on menopause and identify some pervasive methodological and conceptual problems. More extended discussion of particular details of this analysis is presented in Rostosky and Travis (1996). What the following figures reveal is that compared with the vast array […]

The enthusiasm for a hormonal direct-drive model for sexuality is reflected in many studies that imply benefits from estrogen replacement therapy (HRT). In biological models of menopause, sexual functioning should be closely associated with changes in reproductive hormones—es­tradiol (a form of estrogen), progestin, or androstenedione (a form of tes­tosterone). Most, if not all, of the […]

Does sexual behavior increase or decrease with age? Since American society links sexuality to youth, beauty, and vigor, sexual behavior among the elderly is treated in the literature as a talking platypus phenomenon. That older individuals engage in sex at all is apparently worthy of com­ment. Several studies have remarked on the continued interest in […]

The sexual identity available to women in general is conflicted and constrained. Across the lifespan, narrow bands of identity are offered to women. For instance, adolescent girls’ developing sexuality is considered problematic (see chapter 5, this volume, by Welsh, Rostosky, & Kawagu­chi). According to traditional sex-role socialization, girls and young women should be virtually asexual […]

As a physical and biological marker of aging, menopause is most often portrayed as a stressful, disruptive, and negative experience in women’s lives. This creates a certain angst and feeling of impending loss when con­templating menopause, expressed by one woman thus: “I don’t want to go through the rest of my life feeling that I […]

Despite this stereotypical portrayal of powerful male sexuality and passive female sexuality, we do note the progress shown in the film version of the novel where Meryl Streep, a female actress over 40 years of age, was actually cast in the lead role. Perhaps this would not have happened 20 years ago, although we might […]

A content analysis of best-selling novels and films from 1959 to 1979 revealed the persistent message that sexual participants must be single, attractive, physically healthy, and young (i. e., the SAPHY constellation) (Abramson & Mechanic, 1983). Furthermore, Abramson and Mechanic found that, no matter the time, place, or circumstance portrayed in the media, common sexual […]