ABSTRACT
The perimenopausal phase of life involves some alteration in physiological and psychosocial processes for all women. Peterson and Schmidt, in a longitudinal, prospective project of women aged 20 to 80, noted several changes specific to the perimenopausal period, including in serum levels of alkaline phosphatate, phosphorous, thyroxine, sleep patterns, and sexual functioning (1). As noted by Sulak, the major changes connected to ovarian failure are menstrual changes and vasomotor symptoms, which are experienced by most all perimenopausal women; other symptoms of significance include urogenital atrophy, infertility, declining bone mass, increased risk of heart disease, and psychosexual dysfunction (2). The following discussion focuses on sexual functioning in women, changes that occur with perimenopause and assessment and management approaches.
