logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
34m 15s

What happens to sex in midlife? A look a...

TED
About this episode

Menopause isn't just hot flashes, says gynecologist and sexual medicine specialist Maria Sophocles. It's often accompanied by overlooked symptoms like painful sex or loss of libido. Shedding light on what she calls the "bedroom gap," or the difference in sexual expectations of men and women in midlife due to societal norms, Sophocles advocates for education, medical advancement and a new understanding of menopause — because sex should be pleasurable and comfortable for everyone. After the talk, join Shoshana for a conversation with OB/GYN and women’s health advocate Dr. Jessica Shepherd.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Oct 29
On Memories (1/5): Can we edit memories? | Amy Milton
Trauma and PTSD rewire your brain -- especially your memory -- and can unearth destructive emotional responses when stirred. Could we eliminate these triggers without erasing the memories themselves? Enter neurologist Amy Milton's mind-blowing, memory-editing clinical research po ... Show More
19m 40s
Oct 29
On Memories (2/5): Where does your sense of self come from? A scientific look | Anil Ananthaswamy
Our memories and bodies give us clues about who we are, but what happens when this guidance shifts? In this mind-bending talk, science writer Anil Ananthaswamy shares how the experiences of "altered selves" -- resulting from schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, foreign limb syndrome or ot ... Show More
16m 39s
Oct 29
On Memories (3/5): Why smell matters more than you think | Paule Joseph
TED Fellow and chemosensory researcher Paule Joseph unveils the hidden power of a sense that's too often overlooked: smell. She delves into the science behind smell — from how it evokes memory and emotion to its potential for early disease detection — and advocates for the creati ... Show More
9m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Sunday Pick: What happens to sex in midlife? A look at the "bedroom gap" | TED Health
Menopause isn't just hot flashes, says gynecologist and sexual medicine specialist Maria Sophocles. It's often accompanied by overlooked symptoms like painful sex or loss of libido. Shedding light on what she calls the "bedroom gap," or the difference in sexual expectations of me ... Show More
35m 34s
Apr 2024
What happens to sex in midlife? A look at the "bedroom gap" | Maria Sophocles
Menopause isn't just hot flashes, says gynecologist and sexual medicine specialist Maria Sophocles. It's often accompanied by overlooked symptoms like painful sex or loss of libido. Shedding light on what she calls the "bedroom gap," or the difference in sexual expectations of me ... Show More
13m 44s
Jun 2025
Menopause - Juliana Hauser, PhD - Sexuality
Sexuality and menopause are often misunderstood or shrouded in stigma, but today, Dr. Juliana Hauser sheds light on how these concepts can be reframed for empowerment. Holistic sexuality isn’t just about physical acts—it’s about integrating your whole self. Hauser emphasizes that ... Show More
45m 16s
Oct 2022
91. Women’s Sexuality and Changes Over the Lifespan with Jessica Elizabeth Cole
<p>Has your sex drive changed over time? Maybe menopause is making you feel different in your body and your sexuality has shifted. If you want a new way to think about sexuality and how it changes over the lifespan, this is the podcast for you.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In this podcast ... Show More
49m 19s
Feb 2025
170: Menopause Transitions and Plant Medicines with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg
Menopause is a transition every woman goes through, yet so much of it is misunderstood. This week on Sex Love Psychedelics, I sit down with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg to explore the emotional, physical, and hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause. From navigating changes in libid ... Show More
53m 21s
Feb 2025
Episode 373: How Sex Changes At Midlife
<p>Sex changes as we age. While these changes are often small and gradual, once you hit your 40s and 50s, it’s not uncommon to start noticing bigger changes. In this episode, we&#8217;re going to talk all about sex at midlife and some of the most common sexual issues that come up ... Show More
33m 12s
Feb 2022
137. Sex and Menopause
This is a lecture I gave for a physician course on sex and menopause. The myths and the facts. Reflect on how this Podcast applies to your day-to-day and earn AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs here: https://earnc.me/MxiRLg --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sho ... Show More
26m 16s
Aug 2025
Rewind: Sex & Aging
<p><em>This episode was originally released on May 25th, 2018.</em></p> <p>When two women in their sixties start losing interest in sex, their sex-starved partners become increasingly frustrated. Both women blame old age for their waning libidos. But is their diminished sex driv ... Show More
36m 30s
Aug 2021
Sex as Self-Care: How to Make Pleasure Your Default
Have you ever wondered how to get your sexy back and feel good in the process? Between work, the kids and their activities, and taking care of your aging parents, you fall into bed exhausted every night. You remember a time when sex was the best thing ever, but now, you can take ... Show More
55m 7s