During the menopausal period, women need the men in their lives to be understanding and caring. That can prove difficult for some. However, having the support of one’s nearest and dearest can go a long way to make this transition period easier to cope with.

So, for all the men out there who have had their lovely, kind, patient wives replaced by someone they don’t quite understand and are a trifle baffled, here are some tips how to act during the menopause:

• Sleepless nights. It is no joke having to put up with sleepless nights, hot flushes, sweats, and memory loss. Try to put yourself in her shoes, how would you feel if you were sleep deprived? So try not to expect her to be in a great mood all the time.
• She may seem anxious, irritable and emotional. This is very difficult for her and is due to fluctuating hormones. Try to understand that she doesn’t like being like this and it will pass. Try to listen to her and empathise.
• Her sex drive might dip. It is very difficult to feel sexy when you are having continuous hot flushes or you are feeling anxious and irritable. Try to be patient, it’s not that she is not attracted to you anymore. Be creative, have some fun…you never know what might come of it.
• Beside the physical changes a woman goes through at this time, she might also want some other changes to her life. The children might have left home and there might be time to do things together that you didn’t have the time to do before, so organise some nice outings together. Maybe join a gym together so you both can stay fit and healthy. It will do her the world of good, as exercise releases endorphins.
• Find out more about the menopause, read the articles on this website. She will be really pleased if she knows you are taking an interest in what she is going through and are able to discuss it with her.
• She might need to spend more time with her friends now, to discuss what she is going through and to compare notes. It’s not that she doesn’t want to spend time with you; girlfriends can be a great source of information and comfort for her at this time.
• You might find some of the things she does hilarious, like her forgetfulness. Try to make her see the funny side too. She might not like it when you laugh at her, but if you make her see the funny side, you laugh with her.
• Most important, still treat her like the attractive, desirable woman she is.