112: Sex Doesn't End at Menopause with Laura Lee

Dear Menopause

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:

Laura's website

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Psychologist Laura Lee (00:00:00)

2. Why Sexual Communication Feels Risky (00:09:22)

3. Breaking Through Shame and Sexual Scripts (00:18:11)

4. Starting the Conversation with Partners (00:27:30)

5. Spontaneous vs Responsive Desire (00:37:20)

6. Expanding Your Sexual Menu (00:45:22)

7. The Importance of Masturbation and Exploration (00:54:25)