In order to offer women in today’s society health education that is in tune with their needs it is necessary to understand the meaning of sexuality during menopause. With this objective in mind, a bibliographic review was performed that aimed specifically to identify the physiological and social characteristics of menopause and sexuality and to analyse the influence of cultural representations on the female experience of sexuality during that life phase.   
Methodology: Cuiden, SciELO-España and Enfispo were selected as the primary databases, and a historic review of studies published within the last fifteen years (1994 to 2009) was conducted. The most recent international studies on the topic (2007 to 2009), extracted from the Cochrane Plus, Doaj, Cinahl and Medline databases, were also reviewed.
Results: vasomotor symptoms, bone and joint pain, depression, anxiety and dyspareunia are the most frequent symptoms. The presence, intensity and subjective experience of these symptoms are culturally influenced. The anatomical-physiological changes that take place during menopause produce a change in the sexuality pattern that is influenced by each woman’s cultural schemes, sometimes leading to important health problems.
Health care demand on the part of the female population during menopause has increased significantly in the past few years, as a result of the lack of information they have on this stage of life and the physical changes it entails. Sexuality stereotypes that lead to unhealthy practices, anxiety and fear are very frequent. Health education decreases the perception of the problems perceived by women undergoing menopause.
Conclusions: good self-esteem and proper health education in this stage will enable women to take proper emotional care of themselves and enjoy their sexuality in an overall manner.