"The night comes early for a woman": Menopause and sexual activities among urban older Yoruba men and women in Ibadan, Nigeria. (2nd September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agunbiade, Ojo Melvin; Gilbert, Leah
• Is Part Of: Journal of women & aging. Volume 32:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 491
• Page End: 516
• Publication Date: 2020-09-02
• Subjects: Aging -- menopause -- older people -- Nigeria -- sexuality; Social work with older people -- United States -- Periodicals; Social work with women -- United States -- Periodicals; Older women -- United States -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2019.1593772
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-2841

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article explores older peoples' perceptions of menopause and sexuality in old age. The research was exploratory, consisting of 12 vignette-based focus group discussions and 18 face-to-face semistructured interviews among older Yoruba men and women (60+). Findings revealed menopause as a biopsychosocial marker of aging that provides gendered spaces for women to abstain from or suppress their sexual desires and avoid a folk pregnancy- oyun iju (folk fibroid). Older men construe menopause and sexual refusals from their wives as opportunities for extramarital relations. Thus, both older men and women have differentiated perceptions and dispositions toward menopause, which have implications for their sexual health and well-being.