Muise, A. et al. “Post-Sex Affectionate Exchanges Promote Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction,” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2014) 43:1391.

People in good health with a decent level of fitness are nearly twice as likely to be interested in sex as they grow older, and also more likely to report having a satisfying sex life, according to a study by the University of Chicago. The research found men in ‘very good’ health could expect to add seven years to their ‘sex life expectancy’, while women in the same position could add up to six. A lot of men wind up thinking that their sex life is missing something, that other men are having wilder sex or more frequent sex,” Davidson says. “They have a sense that the pleasure ship has sailed and left them behind.”

Can I tell you a story about a book–and about me?

So I wanted to help women escape purity culture. I wanted to tell them, “sex isn’t shameful! You can enjoy this! And by the way, if you’re not “pure”, that’s totally okay. Your past is not your present, and guilt doesn’t have to be your story.”

As an older adult, you need to be just as careful as younger people when having sex with a new partner. You may not be able to get pregnant, but you're still susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases. Talk to your partner, and protect yourself. Communicate with your partner Another thing Esther Perel recommended to me was next time you go to a party with your partner, keep your distance and observe them from afar. She explained that you become more drawn to your partner when you see them through other people’s eyes. When you’re in a long-term relationship, you’re accustomed to seeing your partner at their worst and you’re overly conscious of their bad habits. Seeing them at their best – dressed nicely, performing a little, using their best jokes – can act as an aphrodisiac. Sometimes the realisation that you would choose them all over again can reignite something, and put you in the mood for when you get home.” I thought originally it would just be swapping the gendered chapters for more on orgasm, but as I read through the book I found that I now talk differently about just about everything–mental load; communication; obligation. So I ended up rewriting pretty much the entire thing! Budweiser, S. et al. “Sleep Apnea is an Independent Correlate of Erectile and Sexual Dysfunction,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2009) 6:3147.

If this is going to change, she says, we need to rethink our definition of sex, which is often seen as a penetrative act. Not only is this exclusionary, according to the largest- ever study into the female orgasm – conducted by Indiana University researchers – just 18% of women orgasm through penetration alone. Public Health England figures last year show almost twice as many people over 45 were diagnosed with STDs than 10 years ago. Chlamydia cases in people aged 45-64 were up 64% from 2011 to 2015, despite falling among 15-24s. Gonorrhoea , syphilis, herpes and warts are also rising in older groups.

More books are on the way, including Period. by broadcaster Emma Barnett, Private Parts: Or How I Learnt to Live with My Dysfunctional Uterus by Eleanor Thom, and comedian Sara Pascoe’s Sex Power Money. In recent years, we’ve seen a huge rise in ‘silver singles’ – divorcees in their fifties and above who find themselves out there on the single scene for the first time in decades. Every day, stand in front of a mirror naked, or as close to naked as you can tolerate, she instructs, and write down everything you like about what you see.Wear it in an elegant way that keeps some mystery for yourself and the beholder,’ advises designer Michelle Duncan, whose S/S ’22 collection included a hot-pink bralette worn with a matching double-breasted blazer. Whether you’re into Miu Miu’s micro proportions or the teeniest tummy glimpse, the only non-negotiable addition to your bralette/bandeau/bikini top is confidence. Joyal, C.C. et al. “What Exactly Is an Unusual Sexual Fantasy?” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015) 12:328. Don’t feel bad – honestly, I came to your book after reading a load of other stuff and it was SO much better, the difference was exponential. Ok, so maybe there was some stuff you could have done better – but your ‘bad’ writing was still an awful lot better than most other people’s ‘good’ writing!