Love, Lust and Laughter - 11.21.23

<p style="font-weight: 400;">ANDROPAUSE, sometimes called MALE MENOPAUSE</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Though the potency crisis that hits many men in middle age has some obvious causes – age, alcohol, stress – the decline is hormonal and psychological as well. Men often won’t discuss it with their doctors, their wives, or their lovers.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Dr. Stephanie Buehler (<a href='http://www.learnsextherapy.com/'>www.LearnSexTherapy.com</a>), heading up The Buehler Institute, joined the program once again. When men and women face the same passages with different needs and directions, how does the partnership survive? Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Diana talked about it all!  Women go through the process of menopause in different ways, but it’s almost a universal experience. Men are all different.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Often there are existential issues. For example: Does my life have meaning? What parts of myself have been neglected that I am now free to live out? Do I matter? The denial of aging can show up in a man’s embracing symbols of success and vitality. It may also contribute to men avoiding seeking help when they experience sexual issues as they age.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Women are often concerned about their partners. One of Dr. Diana’s clients said, “I have some menopausal symptoms – but the main problem is that my husband has more! He’s 52, withdrawn, moody, and angry that he’s aging and losing his hair. Also, he just doesn’t get aroused anymore. And I got tired of things not happening when I tried to get sex started. I always thought it was me. I stopped trying because I thought it was embarrassing to him.” These are not uncommon complaints from female partners.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The two sex therapists discussed typical psychological problems such as lethargy, depression, increa