50, still sexy, unapologetic!

A few years ago, I wrote about the misconceptions surrounding women over 50 and sexuality. While there’s been a positive shift in perception since then, we still need to continue the message and eradicate the notion that midlife women are devoid of sexual desires - or worse, that such desires are laughable or unseemly.

For too long, women in their 50s have been portrayed through stereotypes and outdated expectations, with those who embrace their sensuality often dismissed as either desperate or predatory. Sadly, our culture still struggles to fully embrace an older woman’s sexual agency without undermining it.

Have we moved forward? Yes! In part, thanks to outspoken advocates and an evolving cultural landscape, we’re seeing more nuanced portrayals of midlife sexuality. Women in the public eye - Dame Emma Thompson, Andie MacDowell, Viola Davis, Naomi Watts, Brooke Shields and Nicole Kidman, to name a few - have been candidly open about ageing, relationships, and sexuality.

Their voices serve as a reminder that life after 50 can be just as vibrant, sexy, and fulfilling as any other stage, if not more so - we don’t have to fade quietly into the shadows of desirability anymore!

Dame Emma Thompson’s role in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande boldly explores female pleasure and self-discovery in later life, shattering stereotypes. She said, ‘We have no respect for our sexual desires’ calling out society’s neglect of women’s sexual autonomy.

Nicole Kidman’s recent role in Babygirl echoes this conversation. She portrays a high-powered CEO in her 50s navigating love, desire, and intimacy. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she shared that ‘being seen as a sexual being at 57 is empowering - a refreshing challenge to society’s dismissive attitude towards older women’s sexuality’.

This shift isn’t just anecdotal. Pamela Madsen, founder of Back to the Body and a sex and intimacy coach, continues to share insights into what she calls ‘the age of sexual awakening’. Pamela notes that a significant portion of her clients are women over 50, and she passionately argues that this period often ushers in the most fulfilling sexual experiences of their lives. Free from pressures and armed with wisdom, women are redefining the rules of intimacy on their own terms.

Science backs this up too. Studies show that an active sex life over 50 improves mood, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function, making intimacy transformative for both mental and physical wellbeing.

In recent years, it has been refreshing to see a significant rise in resources dedicated to women’s wellness, including sexual wellness. Retailers like Sephora and Cult Beauty now offer skincare, supplements, and lubricants that support menopausal needs, while forums and communities provide spaces for shared experiences. This growing accessibility is incredibly empowering, giving us the freedom to embrace and explore sexual wellness.

As a female brand owner myself, I’m deeply passionate about supporting other female-led brands and businesses. One of my personal favourites in this field is MADE OF MORE – a brilliant brand leading the way with game-changing skincare products designed for all stages of perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Their latest launch is the Intimate Serum, a pH-balanced formula designed to enhance intimate comfort, hydration, and confidence.

Yet, barriers remain. Menopause is still too often portrayed as the end of a woman’s sexual identity, with warnings of declining libido and hormonal challenges that could make intimacy uncomfortable, burdensome, or even irrelevant.

This type of narrative undermines our resilience and ignores what many of us already know: menopause can mark the beginning of a deeply fulfilling chapter in our emotional and sexual lives. Midlife is a time for reconnection - with partners, new relationships, and, most importantly, with ourselves. We can shed insecurities, embrace authenticity over illusion, and learn to ask for (and demand!) what we truly want and need.

As Pamela Madsen says, being over 50 can lead to ‘the best sex of our lives.’ Saying a fond farewell to our 20s, 30s, and 40s doesn’t mean losing our vibrancy - it means gaining the freedom to explore intimacy in ways that feel truly empowering.

We need to embrace this shift. Sex isn’t just for the young, and midlife women are redefining what it means to be desirable on their own terms. Let’s rewrite the narrative, challenge outdated notions, and reclaim our right to explore and celebrate.

My thoughts: Be unapologetically you. And most importantly, enjoy your own be-you-tiful journey!