No Partner

What, if anything, should we do about our sexual health if we have no sexual relationships? Midlife women are often without sex partners. 

They may be in partnerships that are not sexual. Death or divorce may end longstanding relationships. Or they may just be between relationships.

But here's the rub: Where our genitals are concerned, we have to use them or we lose them. Vulvo-vaginal atrophy is a fact of life, but it occurs so much more quickly in women who are not sexually active. If you think of yourself as being between lovers and hope some day to have another sexual partner, then you would be doing yourself a favor to keep your genitals as healthy and responsive as possible. 

Whether you view it as health-protecting exercise or as self-stimulation, we recommend that you explore options for keeping your genitals intact and ready for love. Develop a small collection of essential products—a good lubricant, exercise weights, perhaps a vibrator or dilator—and get good at using them.

We believe that spending sexual energy begets sexual energy. And sexual energy is attractive. If you're interested in attracting a new partner, having sexual energy on your side couldn't possibly hurt. 

Learn about the actions you could take, listed at right, to address this condition or see other conditions that could affect you.