Dear Abby: My wife is going through menopause it makes me want to divorce her

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my wife for 40 years, including 32 years of marriage.I have done the best I could as a boyfriend, a fiance, a husband and a father to our two adult children, and I continue to do so today. Until 10 years ago, I thought we had the best marriage possible.

Then my wife entered menopause and everything changed.I realize how difficult that part of a woman’s life can be, and I helped her in whatever way I could.

I have been patient, but she’s long past that difficult phase of her life, and since then she has become the most miserable, cold person I have ever known. She has no physical interest in me and refuses to spend any time with me.She complains about everything I do and contradicts everything I say.

Is this normal? What can I do stuck in what is now a terrible marital situation? I’m too old to start a new life.I am still interested in her as much as I always have been, but her abusive behavior is badly eroding my interest in staying in this relationship.

— FRUSTRATED IN PENNSYLVANIADEAR FRUSTRATED: Because a woman goes through menopause does not mean she automatically becomes cold and abusive.There is more wrong with your marriage than this hormonal shift.

I don’t know what it is, and clearly neither do you. Does your wife’s doctor know what may have caused her abrupt personality change? A thorough physical examination would be a logical place to start.After she has had one, make clear to her that if your marriage is going to survive you both must consult a marriage and family therapist.

If she refuses, book some sessions without her.During the course of counseling, you may discover that your wife thinks divorce would be as much of a relief to her as it would be for you.

The only thing you must not do is allow the status quo to continue.DEAR ABBY: I have a huge T-shirt collection — all different kinds: sports teams, schools, concerts, pop stars, vacation destinations.Many of them I bought, while some were gifts.

I...