112: Sex Doesn't End at Menopause with Laura Lee
Explicit content warning
03/13/25 • 40 min
What happens to our sexuality during menopause? Far from signalling an end to pleasure and intimacy, this transition offers an unexpected opportunity for sexual rediscovery and deeper connection.
Psychologist and sexologist Laura Lee joins me in this episode to masterfully unpack the evolution of desire through midlife, challenging our cultural fixation on "loss of libido" by revealing how desire simply changes form.
Sexual communication can feel particularly challenging during menopause, when changing bodies and shifting desires create vulnerability. Laura provides practical strategies for starting these conversations without the paralysing pressure many couples feel. Rather than dreading "the talk," she suggests sharing resources, expressing genuine curiosity, and validating one another's experiences to foster meaningful dialogue about evolving needs.
Perhaps most thought provoking is Laura's invitation to expand our sexual menu beyond the narrow, penetration-focused definition of sex that dominates cultural narratives. By embracing a broader understanding of sexual connection—from sensual touch to passionate kissing—we create more opportunities to say "yes" to pleasure, even as our bodies change. This expansion allows us to discover new pathways to pleasure uniquely suited to our midlife bodies.
Ready to transform how you think about sex during menopause? Listen now to discover how this transition can become not an ending but the beginning of your most authentic sexual experience yet.
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What happens to our sexuality during menopause? Far from signalling an end to pleasure and intimacy, this transition offers an unexpected opportunity for sexual rediscovery and deeper connection.
Psychologist and sexologist Laura Lee joins me in this episode to masterfully unpack the evolution of desire through midlife, challenging our cultural fixation on "loss of libido" by revealing how desire simply changes form.
Sexual communication can feel particularly challenging during menopause, when changing bodies and shifting desires create vulnerability. Laura provides practical strategies for starting these conversations without the paralysing pressure many couples feel. Rather than dreading "the talk," she suggests sharing resources, expressing genuine curiosity, and validating one another's experiences to foster meaningful dialogue about evolving needs.
Perhaps most thought provoking is Laura's invitation to expand our sexual menu beyond the narrow, penetration-focused definition of sex that dominates cultural narratives. By embracing a broader understanding of sexual connection—from sensual touch to passionate kissing—we create more opportunities to say "yes" to pleasure, even as our bodies change. This expansion allows us to discover new pathways to pleasure uniquely suited to our midlife bodies.
Ready to transform how you think about sex during menopause? Listen now to discover how this transition can become not an ending but the beginning of your most authentic sexual experience yet.
Links:
Thank you for listening to my show!
Join the conversation on Instagram
Previous Episode
111: Cancer Recovery Isn’t a Straight Line: A Conversation on Expectations with Shari Todd
How do you navigate life after cancer when everything feels different?
Join me for a raw discussion that dives deep into the emotional and physical realities of cancer recovery. In this episode, Shari Todd and I share similarities in our vulnerable journeys through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and what life looks like on the other side.
And what it took for us to get there.
You will hear a candid conversation about the weight of expectations, mental health struggles, and the often-overlooked challenges faced during recovery and the complexities of an induced menopause.
We unpack the power of radical acceptance, the coaches that support us with this and the crucial role of community support in healing.
Shari’s insights reflect her experience of resilience and adaptability that resonates beyond her personal story, advocating for shared experiences among women facing similar challenges.
Join the conversation and break the silence around these essential topics.
Remember to subscribe, share, and leave a review! Your feedback helps me support others on their journeys.
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Next Episode
113: Hot Take with Sonya and Johanna
Updates on the rapidly changing landscape of menopause care in Australia and globally, focusing on revolutionary PBS changes making hormone therapy more affordable and the growing momentum around women's health initiatives.
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) now includes Estrogel, Prometrium, and Estrogel Pro (as of March 1st), with Slinder joining May 1st
• PBS prescriptions require specific coding - you may need a new prescription to access subsidised pricing
• FDA removed warnings from testosterone in the USA, highlighting the need for Australia to update outdated warnings on vaginal estrogen products
• The "So Hot Right Now" Medical Conference created an inclusive learning environment for healthcare providers to discuss menopause care
• Government funding for GP education ($1.5 million) lacks sufficient scope and evaluation mechanisms
• Dr. Lisa Mosconi leading a $50 million research program to reduce Alzheimer's in women by studying the relationship between protective hormones and brain health
• Jo launches Sheela Consulting - Unapologetic Advocacy, focusing on women's health policy and advocacy
If you've missed any of our expert conversations over the past two years, go back and listen, and please share them with anyone who needs this information.
To listen to my previous episode and interview with Assistant Minister Ged Kearney, please head to episode 110.
Links:
So Hot Right Now Medical Conference
Dr Lisa Mosconi - CARE funding
Australian Government $573M funding
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Dear Menopause - 112: Sex Doesn't End at Menopause with Laura Lee
Transcript
Welcome to the Dear Menopause podcast . I'm Sonya Lovell , your host Now . I've been bringing you conversations with amazing menopause experts for over two years now . If you have missed any of those conversations , now's the time to go back and listen , and you can always share them with anyone you think needs to hear them . This way , more people can find these amazing conversations ,
If you like this episode you’ll love
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