Page:Fielding - Sex and the Love Life.pdf/107

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WOMAN'S SEXUAL NATURE
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attributed to "change of life" would unquestionably prove avoidable excrescences resulting from ignorance, misunderstanding and worry.

The flow may stop rather suddenly at this time, the amount growing less and less, until absolute stoppage. As a rule, however, the climacteric extends over a course of several months up to a year or two or three years. There may be considerable irregularity in the periods, a slight flow alternating with a profuse one, and the intervals between successive flows may become longer, as from six to eight weeks.

The importance of the menopause in the life of woman warrants more extended comment, which will be taken up in Chapter X.