💥 Pain, Anatomy & Physical Changes

• Vaginal Atrophy (VA): Affects 40%–57% of postmenopausal women, with some studies reporting prevalence up to 90%. Symptoms include dryness, itching, and pain during intercourse. Verywell Health+2StrataMGT+2Harvard Health+2
• Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Encompasses a range of symptoms due to estrogen decline, affecting 50%–70% of postmenopausal individuals and about 15% during perimenopause. Verywell Health
• Pelvic Floor Disorders (PFDs): Approximately 40% of women experience at least one PFD, such as urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. Clinical Advisor+2BioMed Central+2PubMed+2
• Sexual Dysfunction in PFD: Among women with PFD, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction can be as high as 83%, often due to pain during intercourse or fear of incontinence. Clinical Advisor+1PubMed+1

🧠 Mood, Psychology & Relationships

• Depression During Menopause: Approximately 45% of women referred to menopause clinics are clinically depressed, with 80% having a history of depression. PubMed Central
• Global Depression Prevalence: The pooled prevalence of depression in menopausal women is 35.6%, with similar rates in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. ScienceDirect
• Sexual Dysfunction and Mental Health: Nearly half of menopausal women report sexual dysfunction, with a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression among those affected.
• Fatigue and Sexual Satisfaction: Tiredness is a significant factor affecting women's sexual satisfaction during midlife, often due to the simultaneous demands of children and aging parents.
• Intimacy Over Frequency: Sexual satisfaction depends as much on intimacy and closeness as on sexual frequency. The Guardian

💋 Dating, Partners & Behaviors: The Midlife Mix

• 49% of women aged 65 and older report being single, compared to 21% of men in the same age group.
• 36% of adults aged 65 and older are single, compared to 29% of those aged 50 to 64.
• 17% of Americans aged 50 and older have used a dating site or app.
• Among online daters aged 50 and older, 50% have used Match.com, and 34% have used eHarmony.
• 22% of online daters aged 50 and older cite wanting to have casual sex as a major reason for using dating platforms.
• 45% of online daters aged 50 and older report experiencing at least one unwanted behavior on dating platforms, such as receiving unsolicited explicit messages.
• 57% of women aged 50 and older who have used online dating platforms describe their experiences as negative, compared to 38% of men in the same age group.
• 64% of individuals aged 44 to 59 have stepped away from dating, preferring to be single rather than in a relationship.
• 61% of single women report being happy with their relationship status, embracing independence and self-love.
• 90% of boomers (aged 59 to 78) report having orgasms, compared to lower rates among millennials and Gen Z.
• 26% of Match.com users are boomers, reflecting increased participation of older adults in online dating.
• 19% of online daters aged 50 to 59 have used Tinder, compared to 6% of those aged 60 to 69, and 1% of those 70 and older.
• 16% of single adults aged 65 and older are actively looking for a relationship, compared to 36% of those aged 50 to 64.
• 76% of seniors aged 65 to 80 agree that sex is an important part of their relationship.
• 46% of seniors aged 65 to 70 report being sexually active, with the number decreasing to 25% for those aged 76 and over.
• 51% of senior men report being sexually active, compared to 31% of senior women.
• 70% of partnered women aged 50 and older have been sexually active within the last year, compared to 50%overall.
• 63% of partnered women report being satisfied or very satisfied with their current sexual activity and its frequency.
• 42% of unpartnered women report being satisfied or very satisfied with their current sexual activity.
• 31% of Americans have had at least two overlapping sexual partners in their lifetime.
• 2% of women have had more than 50 sexual partners over their lifetime, regardless of their sexual orientation.

🏥 Physical Health & Its Impact on Intimacy

• Chronic Pain and Sexual Function: Between 50% and 78% of women with chronic pain report sexual difficulties, including reduced desire, arousal challenges, and pain during intercourse. PubMed Central+1Atlas Pain Specialists+1
• Complete Cessation of Sexual Activity: Up to 40% of women with chronic pain have ceased sexual activity entirely due to discomfort and associated emotional distress. Atlas Pain Specialists
• Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD): Affects up to 50% of women who have given birth, leading to symptoms like pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and pain during sex. Wikipedia
• Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse): Globally, about 35% of women experience dyspareunia at some point, often linked to menopause-related vaginal dryness and thinning tissues. Wikipedia
• Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD): Affects up to 33% of adult women in the U.S., characterized by a lack of sexual desire leading to personal and relationship distress. Verywell Health

🦠 STIs & Older Women: The Rising Risk

• Increase in STI Diagnoses: From 2010 to 2023, the number of people over 65 diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis in the U.S. increased approximately 3-, 5-, and 7-fold, respectively. Clinical Advisor
• Tripling of STD Rates: STD rates among individuals aged 45–65 have more than tripled over the past decade.acpny.com
• Higher HIV Risk: Women over 50 are at greater risk for HIV than younger women, partly due to physiological changes like thinning vaginal walls post-menopause. Clinical Advisor+1World Health Organization+1
• Underdiagnosis Concerns: STIs in midlife women are often underdiagnosed, as symptoms may be misattributed to menopause-related changes. PubMed
• Global Perspective: The World Health Organization emphasizes that postmenopausal women remain susceptible to STIs, including HIV, due to factors like vaginal thinning, which increases the risk of lesions and tears during intercourse. World Health Organization