Effect of premature menopause on sexuality

Premature menopause, that is, menopause - spontaneous or iatrogenic - occurring at or before the age of 40 years, affects sexual identity, sexual function and sexual relationships. The woman's health, wellbeing and achievement of life's goals may be variably impaired. An interdisciplinary medical and psychosexual approach comprises appropriate counseling, fertility protection, when feasible, individualized hormone therapy and specific psychosexual treatment(s). Further research on fertility protection and the safety of long-term hormone therapy after premature menopause is needed.