Changes in the reproductive system.—About the close of the change of life in a woman, the ovaries become reduced in size, the walls of the womb thinner and smaller in size and the vagina undergoes a similar change. Similar changes occur in the sexual organs of the male.
Sex problems explained.—As already observed, sexual desire begins to abate with the approach of the change of life in both sexes. If this does not occur, it shows an abnormal sexual condition, or some aggravating cause in some neighboring organ. Occasionally all desire ceases in the woman at the beginning of the period. In other cases it does so gradually for a few years. If the husband has practiced reasonable self-control, the experience in his case is somewhat similar. He should have no sexual relations during the change of life in his wife. If the husband wishes to protect the health of his wife and himself, prolong their lives, increase their usefulness and happiness he must bring himself to complete self-control.
The later half of life.—When the reproductive system has been readjusted, by the change of life processes, to the new conditions of the closing period of this life, if both are considerate of each other’s comfort and happiness, they soon realize that they have entered into an existence of a larger manhood and womanhood, with limitless opportunities of loving each other, of enjoying life, of being useful and a blessing to the world. The transient pleasures of passion are not to be compared by them with the abiding delights, pleasures and joys that flow from intellectual and spiritual natures surrounded by a halo of glory that indicate a readiness for a golden sunset and a final transition into another period of existence circumscribed by the eternities and limited in progress and joy only by the inexhaustible resources of the Infinite.
CHAPTER LIII
VITAL FACTS CONCERNING THE “CHANGE OF LIFE” IN MAN, AND THE YEARS TO FOLLOW
Strange as it may seem, middle-aged and old men are quite as ignorant of their sexual natures and the changes incident to their age, as is the average youth. Very few men know that at the age of forty-five to fifty-five a gradual but distinct and vital change will occur in their lives.
Important periods of life.—A boy of seven has a very distinct and intense interest in the origin of animals and man. When he is fourteen puberty dawns and he enters the “stormy period of adolescence.” When twenty-two to twenty-four his sexual powers are matured and he enters a period of some twenty-five years during which his procreative powers are at their best. It is in this period of life that nature indicates he should become the father of children. In this period his physical strength is greatest and his mental and moral development are most active. He is now capable of transmitting the largest endowments to his children. It is natural that at the close of this period, of largest reproductive possibilities, sexual
