Empowering Midlife Women: The Importance of Sexual Health at Every Age
Sexual health is a lifelong component of overall wellness—but for many women over 40, it’s often overlooked. Whether due to stigma, assumptions about risk, or discomfort discussing intimacy with a provider, midlife women are less likely to be screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Unfortunately, this gap in care comes at a cost.
Rates of STIs among midlife and older women are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sexually transmitted infections are increasing across all age groups, including women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond. Many of these infections go undetected for months or years, especially when routine screening isn’t part of a woman’s preventive health plan.
At Concierge Medicine of Westlake, Dr. Alexa Fiffick offers personalized care designed to address the whole woman—including her sexual health. During STI Awareness Month, we want to help normalize the conversation and underscore the importance of routine testing, risk awareness, and open, judgment-free care at every stage of life.
Why STIs Are Increasing Among Midlife Women
There are several reasons STIs are rising among midlife women, even among those who consider themselves low-risk:
1. Increased Sexual Activity After Divorce or Widowhood
Many women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s re-enter the dating world after divorce or the death of a spouse. New sexual relationships, especially without condom use, can increase the risk of infection.
2. Assumption of Low Risk
STIs are often mistakenly seen as a younger person’s issue. Women who are not in their reproductive years may not use protection or may assume they don’t need to be screened.
3. Lack of Routine Testing
Many midlife women are no longer seeing an OB/GYN annually and may not be offered routine STI testing during primary care visits—especially if they don’t raise the topic themselves.
4. Physical Changes Post-Menopause
Declining estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness, thinning of the vaginal lining, and changes in the vaginal microbiome. These shifts make the tissue more prone to microtears and infection, increasing susceptibility to STIs.
5. Overlapping Symptoms
Some STIs present with symptoms—like discharge, itching, or pain—that may be misattributed to menopause, vaginal atrophy, or UTIs, leading to missed or delayed diagnoses.
Common STIs Affecting Women Over 40
Sexually transmitted infections can affect anyone who is sexually active, regardless of age. Some of the most common STIs seen in midlife women include:
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Often asymptomatic but can cause pelvic pain, discharge, and complications if left untreated.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV): The most common STI, and a known risk factor for cervical, vulvar, and throat cancers.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV): Can cause painful sores or be asymptomatic. Recurrences are possible.
Trichomoniasis: A parasitic infection that can cause irritation and discharge, particularly in postmenopausal women.
Syphilis: Rates have increased across age groups. Untreated syphilis can cause serious complications in later stages.
HIV: While overall numbers are lower in women, midlife diagnoses are increasing, often because early symptoms go unrecognized.
Why Routine STI Testing Still Matters
For many women, especially those not planning to get pregnant, preventive sexual health care falls off the radar after 40. But testing isn’t just about reproduction—it’s about protecting long-term health.
Undiagnosed STIs can lead to:
Chronic pelvic pain
Increased risk of certain cancers (especially from HPV)
Organ damage from untreated infections like syphilis or HIV
Higher risk of contracting or spreading other infections
Inflammation that impacts heart and immune health
Routine testing is a simple, effective way to catch infections early and prevent complications. It also allows you to have informed conversations with partners and maintain autonomy over your health.
Breaking the Stigma Around Midlife Sexual Health
Many women feel hesitant to discuss their sexual health after a certain age—especially if they’re navigating new relationships, body image changes, or symptoms related to menopause. But sexual health is about more than infection prevention; it’s about feeling well, respected, and empowered.
Concierge care offers a space for these conversations to happen with openness and dignity. At Concierge Medicine of Westlake, Dr. Fiffick works closely with each patient to create a care plan that includes sexual wellness as an essential part of whole-body health.
The Concierge Medicine Advantage
One of the most valuable aspects of concierge medicine is the ability to have unhurried, personalized appointments where deeper topics—like intimacy, libido, or STI concerns—can be addressed without judgment or discomfort.
With concierge care, women over 40 benefit from:
Comprehensive wellness visits that include sexual health discussions
Discreet, routine STI screenings without the need to ask or justify
In-office testing with fast, direct communication of results
Support for hormone-related changes that affect vaginal health and comfort
Referrals to specialists when needed for gynecology or pelvic floor care
A long-term physician relationship where you feel safe asking hard questions
Sexual health is not a one-time topic—it’s an evolving part of your well-being that deserves continued attention, especially as your body and relationships change.
Reclaiming Your Health with Confidence
You don’t outgrow the need for sexual health care. In fact, many women find that midlife is when they most need a supportive, knowledgeable partner in health—someone who listens without assumptions and addresses their concerns with care and clarity.
If you’re sexually active, navigating a new relationship, or experiencing symptoms that don’t feel quite right, it’s time to put your sexual wellness back on the priority list. Confidential, compassionate care is not a luxury—it’s essential.
At Concierge Medicine of Westlake, we’re here to help you approach midlife with strength, knowledge, and the confidence that comes from taking control of your health on every level.
Schedule your personalized wellness visit today and experience the difference that individualized, judgment-free care can make in your sexual health and overall well-being.
