AGING (MENOPAUSE) AND SEXUALITY – Cait Campbell 1

Annotated Bibliography
Articles, Books, and Book Chapters
Baldo, T. D., Schneider, M. K., & Slyter, M. (2003). The impact of menopause: Implications
for mental health counselors. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 25, 311-322.
This article discusses the impact of menopause of females and provides implications
for counselors working with this population. It discusses stages and symptoms of
menopause, pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy, and provides
recommendations and resources for mental health counselors.

Chernin, J. N, & Johnson, M. R. (2003). Affirmative psychotherapy and counseling for lesbians
and gay men. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
This book provides a specific framework for working with clients who identify as
lesbian and gay. It discusses terminology, subcultures, the use of affirmative therapy,
possible treatment issues this population encounters, and ethical and legal
considerations for working with clients who are of a sexual minority.

Cobia, D. C., & Harper, A. J. (2005). Perimenopause and sexual functioning: Implications for
therapists. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 13,
226-231.
This article details the physical changes that occur in women during menopause and
how these symptoms may manifest in sexual dysfunctions. It suggests possible
therapeutic interventions for therapists who are working with clients going through
this natural physical change.

Davison, G. C. (2001). Conceptual and ethical issues in therapy for psychological problems of
gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57, 695-704.
This articles discusses several ethical issues that pertain to counseling individuals who
identify as gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB). Issues concerning coming out,
importance of sexual orientation as focus of therapy, GLB youth, identity, protected
sex, and families of individuals who are GLB are discussed.

Dibble, S., Eliason, M. J., DeJoseph, J. F., & Chinn, P. (2008). Sexual issues in special
populations: Lesbian and gay individuals. Seminars on Oncology Nursing, 24, 127-130.
This article discusses health care needs and sexuality issues of lesbian and gay
individuals. It also explores ways to help establish trust with this population as well
as basic terminology.

Long, L. L, Burnett, J. A., & Thomas, R. V. (2006). Aging and sexuality. In Sexuality
Counseling: An Integrative Approach (pp. 180-193). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Education.
This chapter covers various issues that occur in aging and how they impact sexual
functioning and relationships. Issues for both males and females are discussed as
well as possible treatment goals and interventions.
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Meisner, B. A., & Hynie, M. (2009). Ageism with heterosexism: Self-perceptions, identity,
and psychological health in older gay and lesbian adults. Gay and Lesbian Issues and
Psychology Review, 5, 51-58.
This articles explores how heterosexism and ageism impact older lesbian and gay
individuals. It also discusses older homosexual identity, stereotypes, and where
future research is needed.

Nappi, R. E. (2007). New attitudes to sexuality in the menopause: Clinical evaluation and
diagnosis. Climacteric, 10, 105-108.
This article discusses the effects menopause has on sexuality. It also provides several
validated tools that can assess sexual symptoms the client is experiencing to help
inform the goals and interventions for treatment.

Nappi, R. E., & Lachowsky, M. (2009). Menopause and sexuality: Prevalence of symptoms
and impact on quality of life. Maturitas, 63, 138-141.
This article discusses the physical symptoms that women encounter when going
through perimenopause and menopause. The author elucidates how these
symptoms impact the quality of life of these women, including their sexual
functioning. Some interventions are discusses as well.

Websites
North American Menopause Society (2010). Menopause, menopause symptoms. Retrieved
from: http://www.menopause.org
This website provides information for professionals and consumers on issues
concerned with menopause. Current research, literature, book reviews, and
menstruation calendars are available. There is a search option to find local area
menopause clinicians. The information on the website is available in English, French,
and Spanish.

WebMD. (2010). Menopause Health Center. Retrieved from:

http://www.webmd.com/menopause/default.htm
This website contains basic facts of menopause, including symptoms, available
treatments, and managing menopause. It also has discussion boards which can allow
clients and counselors to connect with other individuals coping with these natural
changes.

Community Resources
The Women’s Center http://www.thewomenscenteronline.com/
This gynecological practice has 4 locations throughout Central Florida that specialize
in menopause education, treatment, and management. They also provide a wide
variety of other gynecological services.
Phone number for all locations 407-857-2502
Orlando location: 1118 S Orange Ave, Suite 205, Orlando, FL 32806
St. Cloud location: 2916 17th Street, St. Cloud, FL 34769
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Clermont: 1715 E Hwy 50, Suite B, Clermont, FL 34711

Hunter’s Creek: 3000 Hunters Creek Blvd, Orlando, FL 32837

The Center http://www.glbcc.org/

The Center is a community center for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and
questioning individuals and allies. They provide support groups, local events, and
local business referrals, professional counseling, business referrals, free HIV testing,
12 Step programs, GLBT library, general information about GLBTQQI community, and
health fairs.
Phone number: 407-228-8272
Fax number: 407-228-8230
946 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
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Questions Counselors Should Consider

What beliefs do you hold about older people engaging in sexual activity?
This question can help counselors explore biases, stereotypes, misconceptions, and
attitudes they currently hold of older individuals engaging in sexual activity. By being
aware of their beliefs they can begin to see how these beliefs may impact their ability
to ethically counsel this population. This increased awareness can allow counselors
to be aware of trigger they may have, countertransference issues they may
encounter, and gives them the opportunity to appraise and even change beliefs they
currently hold if they no longer appear useful/correct.

How will you become aware of the multitude of issues facing aging and/or GLBTQQI clients?
This question can help counselors be aware that there is always a need to continue to
learn about our clients. This may even make therapists aware that they need to do
more research before working with these populations. Not all populations have the
same issues, so it is important to be aware of these differences in populations and to
know how to address them appropriately.

How will your personal beliefs and values impact your ability to be an effective counselor
with GLBTTQI clients?
This question again elicits the counselors awareness of how their own beliefs and
attitudes impact their ability to counsel clients. If a therapist is unaware of their own
thoughts and beliefs, especially about a marginalized group, they may be doing more
harm than good when in therapy. If a counselor is aware of these beliefs, particularly
any negative ones, they can take measures to change the belief or learn ways to not
allow the belief to interfere once a client from this population is sitting in front of
them.