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Woman's Hour

Listener Week: Sex in your 70s, Risky sports, Cost of men and women's haircuts

Aug 23, 2024
In this discussion, listener Elaine, in her seventies, bravely shares her hesitations about re-entering a sexual relationship. Sex therapist Charlene Douglas and Dr. Clare Gerada provide insights on the medical and emotional hurdles older couples face when exploring intimacy. They tackle issues like vaginal atrophy and stress the importance of communication. The conversation transitions to grief, with Teigan sharing her struggles after losing her mother and the complexities of maternal attachments. The episode also humorously addresses why women's haircuts often cost more than men's.
56:58

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Resuming sexual intimacy in later life involves navigating medical challenges and open communication between partners to foster comfort.
  • A young woman's grief over losing her mother highlights the complexities of forming new attachments while grappling with guilt and longing.

Deep dives

Navigating Intimacy in Later Life

The challenges of resuming a sexual relationship in later life are highlighted through the experience of a woman in her 70s who is hesitant about intimacy with her partner due to health issues. Physical conditions such as vaginal atrophy and erectile dysfunction complicate discussions about sex, leading to apprehensions about pleasure and spontaneity. Experts emphasize the importance of open communication between partners, suggesting that starting with less pressured forms of intimacy, like massages, can help build comfort. Ultimately, maintaining a sexual connection in later life is seen as possible with careful negotiation of desires and boundaries.

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