“Elderly men must not abandon their peri-menopausal or menopausal wives for younger women,” Dr Francis Wuobar, a gynaecologist, has advised.
Rather, such men should support their partners through the physical and emotional challenges that come with the transition.
Dr Wuobar, a gynaecologist at the Eastern Regional Hospital, told The Spectator in an interview that many women during this phase of life experience a sharp drop in libido, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, joint pain, and extreme mood swings.
These symptoms often result in a sudden shift from an active sexual life to one filled with discomfort and emotional distress.
He noted that this change could create a strain in marriages, especially when male partners continue to have a stable or heightened sexual drive.
“Many men who don’t understand what their wives are going through tend to seek satisfaction outside the marriage, rather than offering support and empathy,” he stated.
Dr Wuobar further emphasised the importance of men using lubricants during intimacy and encouraging their partners to seek both medical and psychological help.
He also pointed out that many menopausal women feel neglected and unimportant, leading to depression and emotional withdrawal.
“There’s an urgent need to raise awareness about menopause and ensure that women are properly supported to live fulfilling lives, including sexually,” he stressed.
According to him, Ghana’s healthcare system tends to focus primarily on women of reproductive age, neglecting those transitioning into menopause.
“At the reproductive stage, society provides some guidance and support, but from reproduction to peri-menopause or menopausal stage, women are often left on their own. Society’s focus is on producing children, not what happens after,” he added.
Dr Wuobar criticised the lack of specialised clinics and educational programmes for menopausal women in Ghana.
“They go from reproductive age straight into menopause without preparation. They’re left to face the challenges alone, and many feel like they’ve outlived their usefulness,” he pointed out.
He proposed the establishment of dedicated menopause clinics to provide education, counselling, and medical care.
“Menopause doesn’t mean a woman should stop enjoying intimacy. The problem is often the lack of hormonal stimulation, which leads to dryness and painful sex. This discourages many women,” he said.
To address these issues, he recommended creating support groups in churches, mosques, and traditional communities, where women could share their experiences and mentor younger women.
He also advocated more public education and the inclusion of men in awareness programmes to foster understanding and compassion.
Moreover, Dr Wuobar also mentioned Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) as an effective treatment for some menopausal symptoms and suggested natural remedies like the consumption of Gorontula, a fruit known among Muslim women for enhancing vaginal lubrication and boosting libido.
He called on health stakeholders to give greater attention to peri-menopausal and menopausal women, creating an inclusive healthcare system that supports women at every stage of life.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
