Interestingly, of the 1,500 women surveyed by a women’s health company, 27% said the loss of libido during menopause is a “complete myth.” Dr. Paula Briggs, consultant gynaecologist at the Liverpool Healthcare Foundation and chair of the British Menopause Society, admitted that the data surprised her. She noted that “menopause can be a time of positive change for women, although many still experience fear and uncertainty about the future.”

A total of 300 readers shared their personal experiences with intimacy at various stages of their lives. Can you identify any patterns in their stories?

“The older I get, the more aroused I am,” wrote 54-year-old Cindy from New York, who has dedicated herself to marriage and children rather than relationships with younger men. Louise, 54, from California, shares her opinion: “My libido has only increased in recent years, while men my age have the opposite. Many of my friends have noticed the same thing.”

Eloise, 54, from Dorset, said she feared losing her sex drive after a hysterectomy, but instead noticed that her orgasms became more intense and profound. A London resident noted that age hasn’t affected her desire—it depends more on her partner. Another woman added that with age comes confidence: “Now I don’t waste my time on men I shouldn’t sleep with.”

Trisha, 61, from the UK, admitted that she “worried about my insecurities for 40 years,” but recently learned to accept herself, which helped her meet the right man. Linda, 66, from New York, said that after having her ovaries removed, her libido disappeared, but her doctor prescribed testosterone cream, and her sex life blossomed again. She is now happily married to her 73-year-old partner. Caroline, 65, from San Francisco, added, “After menopause, my sex drive didn’t fade; in fact, it actually got stronger.”

Some women, on the contrary, noted that their lack of interest in intimacy brought them inner freedom. “I find it incredibly easy to live without sex. I regret wasting so many years on men,” admitted Debra, 63, from Ireland, who recently graduated with a programming degree and started a new career. “I used to feel dependent on male attention, but now I feel free—and that’s wonderful.”

Claire, 62, from London, added, “I spent too much time obsessing over men. A complete waste of time.” Another 65-year-old British woman concluded, “I’ve had some great sex in my life, but now I’m glad I can do without it—especially at a time when finding a suitable partner is the hardest.”