Use of ‘femme’ for both woman and wife

Question

« ma femme préfère… » would ´mon épouse´ ever be used. Femme as both woman and wife sounds a bit old fashioned while a man gets to be  ´homme and mari ‘

Accepted Answer

There's a few options, actually (male forms in parenthesis):
ma femme -- (my wife) This is arguably the most common way to refer to your (female) married partner.
mon épouse (mon époux) -- This is a more formal way to refer to your wife. Note the male version of the possessive pronoun, which is only because épouse starts with a vocal. 
ma conjointe (mon conjoint) -- This is a gender-neutral way to refer to your partner.
ma compagne (mon compagnon) -- also gender neutral and less formal. It refers not only to your wife but can be used to mean your partner or girlfriend as well.

Answer

Bonjour Alan,
Chris' answer is very good! You are right that "mon épouse" is a correct alternative too. It has now been added to the correct options.
Merci et bonne journée !

Answer

Salut AlanÉpouse is a noun feminine and is used in a more formal situation.Wife --  for only a female partner.Bonne journéeJim

Answer

Hi all thanks for your answers. The question was more about whether the French language is evolving in the same way as for example at British weddings it tends to be ´husband and wife’ as opposed to the older less egalitarian ‘man and wife’ , elsewhere we’ve abandoned the ‘esses’ and ‘iennes’ . Anyway thanks again and bravo Kwiziq.