"Menopause should be viewed as an exciting and fulfilling phase of life, especially since many women will live more than one third of their lives after menopause," said gynecologist Dr. Donnica Moore, chairwoman of "Vitality for Life," an educational campaign about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) funded by the pharmaceutical company Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The survey, conducted by Yankelovich Partners, Inc., was based on short phone interviews with over 1,000 women aged 50 to 65. About 900 of the women had already passed through menopause. About half of the women were taking HRT.

According to the survey, 54% of women said they thought about sex more frequently now than they did 10 years ago, and 43% "say that their sexual desires are as strong as when they were in their 30s."

Many of the women attributed their healthy sexuality to having achieved a kind of 'balance' in their lives. Other factors cited include less childrearing responsibilities, reduced fear of unintended pregnancy, improved finances, and increased job satisfaction.

Most women seemed to gain confidence and contentment as they aged. Four out of five "report feeling more independent and in control of their lives since entering menopause," according to the report authors, and "more than 87% of those surveyed have a positive attitude toward menopause."

Asked to compare sex before and after menopause, the pollsters report that 82% of women taking HRT said their sex lives have remained the same or improved, compared with 69% of women not taking HRT.

The average age of menopause in American women is 51, although menopause can begin in as early as the late 30s.