Repost: Sex & Aging

Repost: Sex & Aging

From Dear Sugars by WBUR

March 21, 2026 · 37 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the complexities of sex and aging, addressing myths and realities about libido in senior citizens.

This episode was originally released on May 25th, 2018. 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 drive because of age or something else? 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 after menopause? How does the aging body affect the way we feel about sex? Should medical interventions be considered for a declining sex drive? Dr. Schwartz is a professor of sociology at the University of Washington and has written more than 25 books on love and sexuality. She’s also an on-air expert for Lifetime TV’s “Married at First Sight.” The Sugars Recommend “Our Souls at Night,” by Kent Haruf “Scary Old Sex,” by Arlene Heyman

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Pepper Schwartz

Topics covered

  • sex
  • aging
  • libido
  • relationships
  • myths
  • senior citizens

Keywords

  • sex
  • aging
  • libido
  • relationships
  • Dr. Pepper Schwartz
  • AARP
  • senior citizens

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AARP, Lifetime TV

Books & works: Our Souls at Night, Scary Old Sex

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