Although menopause and the period leading up to it (sometimes called perimenopause) are more clearly defined in women because of the change in their menstrual periods, you should recognize that as a man going through midlife you are also undergoing changes in sexual drive and functioning. Our advice to you, then, is to be patient and understanding as the two of you learn these lessons together. A man tends to assess his worth in terms of sexual prowess, and as a result it’s easy for him to feel personally rejected when his wife seems less interested in sex. This in turn can leave him vulnerable to the lure of affairs, infidelity and pornographic material. Don’t let yourself fall into this trap. Given time, the physical aspect of your relationship with your wife is almost certain to improve. Meanwhile, there are other ways of building your self-image and realizing your significance as a person. Above all, you need to demonstrate what it means to love your wife self-sacrificially, as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25). You’ve got to show her, in every way you can, that you’re still committed to her despite the temporary emotional and physical disturbances she’s going through.