logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
35m 34s

Sunday Pick: What happens to sex in midl...

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
Yesterday
How to make friends (and keep them) | Sheridan Voysey
Who could you call at 2am when everything’s gone wrong? Friendship expert Sheridan Voysey believes we’re in a friendship recession, with many of us forgetting how to foster meaningful relationships. He explores three hidden barriers keeping us apart, why it feels harder to make f ... Show More
16 m
Oct 29
How fossil fuel companies keep your energy costs high | Jon Powers
Solar energy and storage are the fastest, cheapest ways to add electricity to the grid. So why are small towns across the US pausing or banning these projects? Clean energy entrepreneur Jon Powers shows how fossil fuel companies are waging disinformation campaigns at the local le ... Show More
12m 7s
Oct 28
How people are using AI to grieve, love and connect | Jennifer Cearns
Many people fear AI is eroding our humanity, replacing real relationships with synthetic ones that leave us lonelier than ever. Digital anthropologist Jennifer Cearns believes the opposite may be true. After talking to hundreds of people who turn to AI for grief, love, friendship ... Show More
17 m
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
What happens to sex in midlife? A look at the "bedroom gap" | Maria E. 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
34m 15s
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
Mar 2025
Redux: 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 42s
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
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
Jun 2022
Encore: Sex & Aging
<p>The erotic lives of senior citizens are typically made invisible by our culture, which can lead to confusion and misinformation. Dr. Pepper Schwartz, the love and relationship columnist for AARP, joins the Sugars to dispel certain myths about sex and aging: Do libidos change a ... Show More
36m 32s
Nov 2019
Episodes We Love: Sex & Aging
<p>The erotic lives of senior citizens are typically made invisible by our culture, which can lead to confusion and misinformation. Dr. Pepper Schwartz, the love and relationship columnist for AARP, joins the Sugars to dispel certain myths about sex and aging: Do libidos change a ... Show More
36m 39s
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
Apr 2025
Let’s Talk About the Sex No One Talks About - EP. 53
We’re getting into the messy middle of sex and relationships, the parts no one warns you about. What happens when the honeymoon phase fades? When your sex drive dips and you’re not sure if it’s just a phase or a sign? When the sex is so good it’s blinding you to the red flags? We ... Show More
34m 40s
Jun 2021
Living through menopause
<p>For a long time there was a wall of silence around the menopause, but more women are choosing to speak candidly about their complicated and illuminating experiences. Kim Chakanetsa talks to two women on a mission to demystify the menopause. Dr Nighat Arif is a British Pakist ... Show More
26m 58s