Sex As We Age
Body & Brain
Evidence-based articles, guides, and checklists covering how aging bodies change — and what you can do about it. Each topic pairs a plain-language explainer with a practical tool you can bring to your appointments.
How to Use This Page
Each topic includes two documents: an article that explains the research in plain language, and a checklist or guide designed to help you take that information into action. Use the filter bar above to browse by category, or scroll through everything below. All documents open directly in your browser or can be saved to your device.
Hormonal Changes
Menopause · AndropauseHormonal shifts affect nearly every system in the body. These resources cover the physiology of menopause, perimenopause, and late-onset hypogonadism (andropause), and what the clinical evidence says about managing them.
Article
Menopause & Perimenopause
A clinical overview of the hormonal and physiological changes during perimenopause and menopause, and their effects on sexual health, mood, and the body.
Couples Guide
Menopause: Checklist & Couples Guide
A practical guide for individuals and their partners navigating menopause together, including conversation starters, symptom tracking, and appointment prep.
Deep Dive
Menopause & Sexual Health
An extended resource covering the intersection of menopause and sexual function, including common concerns, treatment options, and what to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Article
Andropause & Late-Onset Hypogonadism
What the research says about declining testosterone in aging men, how it affects sexual function and vitality, and what the evidence supports in terms of treatment.
Checklist
Andropause: Checklist & Guide
A symptom and appointment checklist for men navigating hormonal changes in midlife and beyond, designed to support productive conversations with a physician.
Sexual Function
GSM · Arousal · OrgasmChanges in sexual response are common with age and are rooted in physiology — not personal failing. These resources cover genitourinary syndrome, vaginal changes, erectile function, and shifts in orgasm with age-related evidence and practical guidance.
Article
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
An overview of GSM, the clinical term for the genital, urinary, and sexual symptoms associated with declining estrogen, and what treatment looks like across the spectrum from lifestyle to medical intervention.
Checklist
GSM: Checklist & Guide
A symptom checklist and provider conversation guide for individuals experiencing genitourinary symptoms. Designed to reduce barriers to disclosure in clinical settings.
Article
Vaginal Atrophy & Dryness
Covers the physiology of vaginal atrophy, clinical evidence on moisturizers, lubricants, and local estrogen therapy, and what research supports for maintaining comfort and function.
Checklist
Vaginal Atrophy & Dryness: Checklist & Guide
A practical tool for tracking symptoms of vaginal dryness and atrophy, with guidance for discussing treatment options with your care team.
Article
Erectile Changes with Age
A clinically grounded overview of how erectile function changes across the lifespan, the physiological mechanisms involved, and the evidence base for available interventions.
Checklist
Erectile Changes: Checklist & Guide
Supports men in tracking changes to erectile function over time and preparing for productive, specific conversations with physicians and urologists.
Article
Orgasm Changes with Age
What research tells us about age-related changes in orgasm intensity, latency, and frequency, across genders, and what this means for sexual satisfaction and wellbeing.
Checklist
Orgasm Changes: Checklist & Guide
A reflective and practical guide for exploring changes in orgasmic response, identifying contributing factors, and discussing concerns with a healthcare or mental health provider.
Chronic Illness & Sexual Health
Cardiovascular · Diabetes · Chronic PainChronic health conditions frequently intersect with sexual function, often in ways that go unaddressed in routine care. These resources help you understand those connections and advocate for yourself in clinical settings.
Article
Chronic Illness & Sexual Function
A comprehensive look at how conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and chronic pain affect sexual health, with an emphasis on what the evidence supports for maintaining intimacy alongside illness management.
Checklist
Chronic Illness: Checklist & Guide
A condition-specific checklist that helps individuals with chronic health conditions track how their illness affects sexual wellbeing and prepare for targeted discussions with their care team.
Article
Cardiovascular Disease & Sexual Activity
Covers what the cardiology literature says about sexual activity after cardiac events, evidence-based recommendations for safe return to sexual activity, and how vascular disease affects sexual function.
Checklist
Cardiovascular Disease: Checklist & Guide
A practical checklist for individuals with cardiovascular conditions who want to resume or maintain sexual activity safely, with specific questions for cardiologists and general practitioners.
Medications & Surgery
Side Effects · Recovery · Surgical ChangesMany commonly prescribed medications affect sexual function in ways that are under-discussed in clinical settings. Post-surgical recovery also comes with sexual health considerations that deserve direct attention.
Article
Medications & Sexual Side Effects
A review of drug classes that commonly affect sexual function, including antidepressants, antihypertensives, opioids, and hormonal therapies, with guidance on how to approach medication reviews with a prescriber.
Checklist
Medications: Checklist & Guide
Helps you document your current medications, identify potential sexual side effects, and prepare targeted questions for your pharmacist or prescribing physician.
Article
Post-Surgical Sexual Recovery
Covers sexual recovery following common surgeries in older adults, including pelvic, cardiac, and orthopaedic procedures, with evidence-based timelines and guidance on resuming intimacy safely.
Checklist
Post-Surgical Recovery: Checklist & Guide
A recovery-focused guide and checklist for tracking your progress and discussing sexual health as part of your post-surgical care plan with your surgeon or rehabilitation team.
Cancer Treatment & Sexuality
Surgery · Radiation · Chemotherapy · Hormonal TherapyCancer treatment can significantly alter sexual function, body image, and intimacy. These resources offer a clinically grounded, compassionate look at what survivors can expect and what the evidence supports for sexual recovery.
Article
Cancer Treatment & Sexuality
A comprehensive article addressing the sexual health effects of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal cancer therapies, with evidence on available interventions and realistic expectations for recovery.
Checklist
Cancer Treatment: Checklist & Guide
A structured guide and checklist to help cancer survivors and their partners navigate sexual recovery, track changes, and engage their oncology team in conversations about sexual health.