Menopausal transition -- assessment in general practice.

Background: The presentation of a woman in midlife can be an opportunity for both the woman and her doctor to consider a wide range of issues that may be impacting on quality of life or that present a risk to her future health.

Objective: This article considers the assessment of a woman in the menopausal transition.

Discussion: The aim of assessment is to manage acute menopausal symptoms (eg.

Dysmenorrhoea.

Background: Menstruation has dual significance for women. From one perspective it defines the start and end of reproductive potential, an affirmation of womanhood. On the other, just as the ancients observed taboos of menstruation, many women (and men) today are still influenced by outdated negative messages.

Menopause forum--a case discussion on midlife issues.

The authors of our theme articles this month discuss their approach to the assessment and management of a woman presenting with issues relating to menopause and midlife.

Assessment of women in midlife.

Background: Midlife is much more than menopause. At the time of their life when women may be experiencing symptoms relating to decreased ovarian function, they are also confronted with a range of physical and psychosocial issues that may affect their wellbeing.

Objective: This article outlines the range of clinical presentations of women in midlife and discusses assessment of these presentations in the context of the individual woman's life.

Loss of libido in menopausal women. Management issues.

Background: Due to a complex interplay of sociocultural factors, past experiences, relationships and hormones, a woman's experience at menopause and beyond is highly individual. A variety of external, often stressful, life events can be occurring at this time in a woman's life, all impacting on her individual symptom profile. Menopause is a natural event in a woman's life cycle and loss of libido may be one of a multitude of symptoms experienced around this time.