I’m looking at the influence of perimenopause - the transitional period before menopause - on sexuality and how this intersects with body image. I also talk about how hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause can influence sexual desire, and why understanding our sexual functioning and desire is important when talking about body image, as part of the Body Image Series.

- How sexual desire and sexual functioning change as we age as a result of hormonal changes as well as aging in general,

- The “breaks vs accelerator” framework as it relates to sexual desire,

- That it’s not uncommon to have lower sexual desire during perimenopause,

- Some of the perimenopause symptoms that can create changes in sexual functioning,

- Why perimenopause can cause an increase in pelvic pain,

- Some of the results of the studies that have been done of this topic,