Sex After 50 — No More Apologies, Just More Pleasure
Turning 50 can feel like shedding a skin. You’ve lived. You’ve learned. And now? You get to love on your terms. And sex after 50 isn’t about going back to your 20s — it’s about fully stepping into your now. And now it can be incredible.
Less pressure, more power
By this stage, many women have grown tired of chasing society’s idea of “sexy.” It’s not about tight skin or perfect curves—it’s about confidence, authenticity, and feeling present in your body.
Stripes Advisory Board Member Cindy Meston, Ph.D, professor of clinical psychology and Director of the Sexual Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin, captures it perfectly: “by the time a woman reaches her 50s or 60s, she’s often done trying to fit into someone else’s idea of what sexy looks like. And that shift — from performance to presence — is one of the most powerful changes we see in the lab and in life. When women stop monitoring their bodies and start inhabiting them, desire isn’t lost. It’s unleashed.”
Yes, hormones change — but so do you
Perimenopause and menopause might mess with your hormones, but they don’t have to mess with your sex life. Lower estrogen can mean less natural lubrication, but it doesn’t mean less pleasure. Moisturizers, lubricants like Vag of Honor, lubricants/play oil like Oh My Glide Intimate Play Oil, and hormone therapy can all help.
More importantly, this is a time when women often get more curious — and more open. You may find yourself exploring fantasies you never had time for before, or embracing intimacy in new, more meaningful ways.
Make it work (better than ever)
Try these tips to keep your sex life feeling fun, fresh, and hotter than ever:
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Prioritize connection — not just with your partner, but with yourself
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Explore what turns you on now, not what used to
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Try guided meditations or sensual yoga to get back in your body
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Keep the conversation open with your healthcare provider
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Give yourself permission to slow down, speed up, or try sideways
The verdict? It’s yours to discover
Sex after 50 isn’t the end of the road — it’s a scenic detour off the path of pressure. It’s rediscovering touch, sensation, and desire with a lot less shame and a lot more sass. So go ahead — redefine your sexy. It’s about time.
