It's Freezing and She's In A Bad Mood

Temperature - that's often the most common index of male awareness of menopause according to Dr. Jill Maura Rabin. "I see patients whose husbands or partners have no idea they're having hot flashes," Dr. Rabin says. "All they know is that the house is freezing and their wives are still hot. Otherwise, they just characterize a woman's depression or irritability as a "bad mood.'"

In her practice. Dr. Rabin sees menopausal women who report not only a lack of empathy or support from husbands or partners, but that they are "getting flak" from the male members of the household. "I tell those women 'Bring him in,'" Dr. Rabin says. She knows that most often men don't talk about their wives' menopause with their friends, so she takes the opportunity to create a learning experience in her office whenever she can.

Straight Talk With Pelvic Models

"I let my patients know I care about them as a couple," Dr. Rabin says. "I ask them how they're doing, and what's going on." Dr. Rabin uses a pelvic model to explain menopause in simple terms. "When a male is present, the discussion needs to be clear and non-threatening without being condescending or overly complicated," she says.

Dr. Rabin talks with patients and their male partners about effects of the body's decline in estrogen, and what may occur as a result. In explaining these aspects of menopause, "I bring the men into the loop." Dr. Rabin says.