THE FUSE

For many women, the years from 40 to 50 are psychologically fraught. They’re not quite menopausal, but they must contend with pre-menopausal (“peri-menopausal”) changes: feeling older, increasing menstrual irregularity, possible weight gain, and the beginnings of hot flashes and vaginal dryness. The peri-menopausal years may also include emotional and sexual problems: moodiness, irritability, insomnia, depression, and decreased sexual interest, function, and satisfaction, which, in turn, may challenge women’s relationships.