Ultimate Guide to Sex After Fifty: How to Maintain – or Regain – a Spicy, Satisfying Sex Life

by Joan Price

The population over age 50 is larger than ever in history. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 32.1 percent of the U.S. population were age 50 and over in 2011. This demographic is also healthier, more aware, more youthful, and more vocal than any previous older generation. Thanks to ongoing medical discoveries, the sexual revolution, and the Internet, today’s seniors are also sexier than ever — or at least they’re now willing to talk and ask about sex as never before. They are the generation that discovered clitoral orgasms, vibrators, and Viagra, and there’s no stopping the thirst for knowledge and pleasure now. Since 2005, Joan Price has penned Better Than I Ever Straight Talk About Sex After Sixty and emerged as the go-to sexpert for the over-50 population. Price's savvy advice, honesty, helpfulness, and humor garnered awareness in the media, in professional circles of therapists and sex educators, and among the huge population of people over 50 who hunger for real information from an age appropriate author. Price tackles it all in this definitive guide to sex and health, fun (and function), disability, dating, illness, orgasms, G-spots, P-spots, polyamory, kink, and much more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality

410 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 22, 2014

About the author

I am a senior sex author, speaker, and advocate for ageless sexuality. My books include:

* Sex after Grief: Navigating Your Sexuality after Losing Your Beloved (coming Summer 2019);
* The Ultimate Guide to Sex After 50: How to Maintain – or Regain! – a Spicy, Satisfying Sex Life;
* Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex – winner of Outstanding Self-Help Book 2012 from American Society of Journalists and Authors and 2012 Book Award from American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists;
* Better Than I Ever Expected: Straight Talk about Sex After Sixty;
* Ageless Erotica: a steamy erotica anthology by authors age 50+
* The Anytime, Anywhere Exercise Book: 300+ Quick and Easy Exercises You Can Do Whenever You Want!

Please visit my website at http://www.joanprice.com and my zesty blog about sex and aging at http://www.NakedAtOurAge.com/. For news, views, and events related to senior sex and relationships, subscribe at http://eepurl.com/cx2Nab.

Reviews

[Tim Null · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made a book cover out of a grocery bag for this book because I don't want anyone to know I've read it.

[Romancing the Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Marissa
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

‘If you’re interested in sex with intimacy, there isn’t a seventeen-year-old alive who can keep up with a healthy sixty-year-old!‘ (David Scnarch, PhD). My sex life rebooted when I moved to Hawaii at the age of 51. Some of my lovers have been younger, some older. I found the older men have all the energy and vigor of the younger men – plus they have the experience and skills which they definitely know how to use!

I loved that the book covers issues for both men and women. While Price doesn’t go into heavy detail on each item, there is enough information to let you know you’re not alone – others suffer from the same maladies and fears. There is also a thick list of reference books and articles, organized by subject, if you need more information.

I liked the way Price suggests to try new things but only if you want. She doesn’t say you absolutely must do something in order to be happy – she leaves it up to you to choose which direction to veer in and how far you want to go. She also talks about (taboo) alternative lifestyles (polyamory, swinging, BDSM, etc.) but she only discusses the positives, she doesn’t give any negative feedback. I found this a little disheartening as it gives a rosy picture that will not work for everyone.

As far as us single over-50’s go, the book seems geared to those who are social butterflies and have no problems talking to people we don’t know. There are a lot of suggestions in the vein of making the first move, start conversations with people you’d like to meet and attend social events alone. I’m just not outgoing enough to do those things. She does, however, give a lot of positive input on how to create a dating profile that will attract the kind of person you’re looking for.

There are a lot of positives about this book that make it worth having on the shelf. Even if you don’t need it now, I can see that it would come in handy at some point when a question comes up in the future. This book is not just about ‘having sex’ when you’re over 50. It’s about enjoying yourself (whether involved with someone or single) and working around such common obstacles such as erectile dysfunction, hip replacements, side effects of medication or loss of your partner and such uncommon obstacles as realizing you have become interested the same sex.

Favorite Quote: It’s never too late to rediscover – or discover, for the first time – how to live passionately, authentically, and fully.

[Ann Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ultimate Guide to Sex after 50 is full of information, suggestions, stories, and wisdom. It is written from a healthy point of view which Joan Price states on page 145, “If we could all just enjoy what we enjoy without moralizing about what other people enjoy, what a wonderful world it would be.”

Embracing this blunt, well-informed, and tolerant viewpoint makes it possible to learn without feeling embarrassed or guilty. People do a wide variety of things in their bedrooms, and how does it help us to be ignorant about those things? If you have read this book, you are prepared for anything: a change in your partner’s pattern of desire, illness, loss, physical limitation, old age, and more good sex than you had imagined possible.

I won’t deny that reading about dozens of sexual kinks and variations is erotic, but the eroticism is balanced with deep intelligence as Price never dwells too long on any particular variation, but moves forward to make her point.

If nothing else, you will realize by the end of the book that you’re allowed to empower the most resilient and unrelenting sex organ – your brain. It’s going to turn to sex anyway, whether or not you allow it to, so you might as well enjoy the ride.

Price never loses sight of the fact that the most precious gift of all is a reliable loving relationship. In its absence, there are myriad ways to remain a sexual being until your very last day on earth.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be TMI for some, but us seniors need to speak out for ourselves, if we don't nobody else will, not even doctors!
Okay folks, we all know how our bodies change over time. We have to work to maintain fitness, suppleness and vitality that we were able to take for granted in youth, and I am not just talking about abs!
Joan Price is a wonderful educator and an advocate for us seniors and our continued enjoyment of sex as we age. Joan is 72 and a wonderful lady. Her book is compassionate and written for everyone 50 or over.
No, don't like this post on Facebook if you don't want to.
But, if you are looking for answers on how to keep the fire red hot well into your golden years, this book is the place to start. I am sorry, most doctors just don't know much about seniors and their sex lives. Joan Price does.
Thank you Joan Price for writing this great book!

[Richard Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

2015 is turning out to be a banner year for sex positive books. Here it is still only January and this is my second review of a noteworthy book about human sexuality.

A few weeks ago, January 8th to be precise, I introduced you to Cooper S. Beckett’s book, My Life on the Swingset. In that review I mentioned that Cooper had been a guest on my Sex EDGE-U-cation Show.

Today’s review features a book written by another guest on my show, but this time it was the SEX WISDOM Show. Today’s book, The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Fifty: How to Maintain – or Regain – a Spicy, Satisfying Sex Life, was written by the brilliant, Joan Price.

Joan is on the forefront of our culture’s discussion on ageless sexuality. She is the author of two other books, Better Than I Ever Expected: Straight Talk about Sex After Sixty and Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex. She is a sought-after speaker and workshop leader. And, if that weren’t enough, she’s also a fitness expert. This woman is a ball of fire, sex fans, and an absolutely charming interview. Be sure to listen to the two-part interview I did with Joan, you’ll find them archived HERE and HERE!

Joan and I talked about some the many myths that surround sex during life’s second half; she covers this topic more in depth in her new book. The misinformation about sex after 50 is so pervasive that even many of us seniors and elders perpetrate it. And, of course, we’re often the butt of jokes.

1. We lose interest in sex as we age.
2. Senior sex is boring.
3. Dating as a senior/elder is depressing and hopeless.
4. Seniors with arousal issues just give up on sex.
5. Sex becomes more frequent as we age.
6. Real sex must involve intercourse and orgasm.
7. Health concerns and menopause will end one’s sex life.
8. If you’re interested in sex after you turn 50, you’re a dirty old man/woman.

The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Fifty is the perfect antidote to the dismissive and degrading way that so much of the popular culture deals with senior and elder sexuality. Joan celebrates not only the existence and appropriateness of sexual desire for seniors and elders, but how sex can and does increase the health and wellbeing of older people.

Joan states her credo in the Introduction.
“…being sexual at this time of life means:
• Enjoying arousal and orgasm, with or without a partner
• Having a zesty, sex-positive frame of mind
• Being open to new possibilities
• Giving pleasure to this body that is capable of great delights
• Making a commitment to myself to be sexually aware and healthy”

Joan invites her readers to join her in conversation. And a big part of that conversation is being aware of what’s going on with our body as we age. Being attuned to that, and being able to communicate that to a partner, is key to great senior/elder sex. (To be frank, it’s the secret of great sex at any age, but I digress.) To that end, Joan includes in her book actual comments from real people that she has encountered in her work. These anecdotes reflect an array of feelings that underscore the conflicts, successes, and complexities of real life situations. And this being the Ultimate Guide, Joan includes the input from many of our colleagues who weigh in with their expert opinion on the topics she is addressing.

I love that Joan often makes the point that having a fulfilling sex life is not dependent on having a partner. Lot of seniors and elders are without a partner, but that ought not be an impediment to sexual enjoyment. Self-pleasuring, with one’s hand, or any of the myriad toys available to us, is the foundation of a rich, healthy, rewarding, and ageless sex life.

Joan also examines a topic near and dear to my life. In my book, The Amateur’s Guide To Death And Dying; Enhancing The End of Life, I took great pains to include a chapter about the sex and intimacy needs of sick, elder, and dying people. Joan does something similar in her chapter — Cancer, Cancer Treatment, And Sex. I am so grateful that Join addressed this timely topic, suggesting, as she does, that people challenged with cancer, or any other chronic condition for that matter, take their sexual performance questions to their doctors. I think we both believe this will go a long way to underscore the notion that wellbeing is not merely about absence of disease, it’s’ about quality of life. There’s also a marvelous section about sex and grief too.

And, just so you know, this isn’t a hetero-centric book. Joan includes all sexual orientations and lifestyles.

I highly recommend Joan’s new book, The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Fifty, to everyone. If you are a fellow senior or elder, this book is chock full of important and practical information about things we care about. It also provides much needed support and encouragement as we make our way through this season of life. If you’re not a senior or elder, this book is an indispensable resource for you too. Not just so that you will be sensitive to the needs of others, but that you’ll grow in appreciation of the fact that sex is for a lifetime. And hey, you just might learn a little something new from someone who isn’t "new".

I want to say a special thanks to Cleis Press, Joan’s publisher, for sending me this review copy of The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Fifty.

Kudos to Joan! Your book is a marvel.

Be sure to check out Joan’s websites: joanprice.com and NakedatOurAge.com.

PS: This book would make a fantastic Valentine's Day gift.

[Jillyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say, Joan Price really did think of everything.

When I was asked to be a part of the blog tour for this title, I opted to do a review despite the fact that I'm in my twenties out of the interest of being a pro-sexual health and all inclusive blog. I definitely wasn't expecting it to be so jam packed with information- I'm really glad I gave this a read!

No matter what problems you may be facing in the bedroom, Price has offered solutions, or at the least, help to help you find your own solutions. Whether the problem is something stemming from problems in communication, pain or illness, or just trying to find the "mood" again, the bases are covered in this book. There's a focus on health in this book which I find super important, from finding positions that "work" to avoiding things like STIs- just because you've gotten older doesn't mean the risks get less scary!

There's also a lot of helpful starts to dialogues in this book, which I think is a great and well-needed inclusion. It can be awkward to talk about feelings and sexual desires no matter what your age is. Price offers safe conversations to have in the interest of avoiding discomfort or fighting, and I think people of any age can appreciate that.

I was also really happy to see that this book is LGBT inclusive. It's a dynamic that's often missed, in my personal opinions, in sexual help books.

I think that any adult can benefit from reading this book. Though the main demographic is for those over 50, I am 23 and I still learned from it because there is so much cohesive and helpful advice in this guide. Though I may not need all of the advice just quite yet, I will definitely be keeping this book on my sex positive bookshelf for future reference (and may be discreetly giving copies to some people in my life I think could benefit from reading it!)

Thank you so much to Cleis Press for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

We finish the year off with this long-overdue book review. This is a non-fiction book which may be a bit dry for some readers. The information is repetitive at times which is helpful for most adult learners. This is well written and easy to read. There is more in here that you would think to ask for most people who are sexually repressed. Overall, I found this book to be pretty straightforward and no different for people under 50. For those who may find this book too long and won't read it, here are my highlights.


To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website on or after December 31, 2021.

[Heather Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

We interviewed Joan Price on our blog, Vagina Antics, about this book. I loved it. I'm not over fifty yet, but she has such good advice for anyone wanting to live a fulfilling sexual life regardless of age. She's humorous and factual, and she addresses a lot of issues some of us hadn't thought about. Or are up in the middle of the night angsting over. You can read the full interview at vaginaantics.com

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, definitely not fiction. Lots of useful information for older adults.

[Cardyn Brooks]

https://www.romancedailynews.com/sing...

[Carolyn Lee Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got sex? All boomers and older should have this book!
If you want to maintain or regain or even start a satisfying sex life after age 50, this is the place to start. Joan Price’s friendly and matter-of-fact attitude about sex makes learning about all things sexual fun, interesting, and just begging to be tried. Price manages to touch on every aspect of sex after 50—from accepting one’s changing bodies to how to spark new sex between old partners, to trying different types of sex, partnered or not, to choosing sex toys, and what to do about painful sex, sex after cancer, dating, and safer sex. She includes LGBTQ as well as heterosexual perspectives and resources. And if Price doesn’t know the answer, she brings in a sex-positive authority to address the issue, along with 10 pages of other reading and online resources. Besides the refreshingly sex-positive attitude, the value of this book is its astounding comprehensiveness, and that it provides concrete steps to follow in every arena, as well as a way to find out more information. Brava Joan!

[Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A necessary book. I picked it up as a support to my experience of perimenopause, life after major surgery, etc. Readers will find support and guidance for a full range of sexual issues and experiences in the second half of life, and encompassing both heterosexual and homosexual experiences. It does not delve deeply into some practices that are still considered “fringe” or “alternative” (polyamorous relationships, BDSM, and the like), but points the reader to places where they can find more information.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most important thing the book stresses is communication with your partner.

[Melinda Fulford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative look at an often difficult topic for many. Great work Joan!

[Cheap and Lazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judgement-free—no matter if you’re solo or involved (with one, or more, others). Incredibly comprehensive and in-depth, but easy to read. I can’t imagine any area this book didn’t cover (and I can imagine a lot). I appreciated that the author included anecdotes from some of her clients, kept it real. I think all adults should read this book because there’s quite a bit of information useful to those under 50 as well. I wish I’d had it at least 25 years ago, if not earlier. I don’t think there’s any way you can read this book and not feel better about, more comfortable with, your own sexuality (wherever you think it might be on the scale), and sexuality in general. My deepest gratitude to this author.

[San Diego Book Review]

Reviewed by Ashley Balanovich for San Diego Book Review

Everyone has heard of the wild twenties, flirty thirties, and amazing forties when in regards to your sexual pleasure; however what happens after turning fifty? Not much is said when men and women turn fifty and older and how they keep the sex “alive.” In comes “The Ultimate Guide to Sex after 50” book by Joan Price.

You can read this entire review and others like it at San Diego Book Review.

[Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an informative and worthwhile book to read. The author provides sources of additional information, if needed, and she writes in an engaging style, easy to read and understand. You don't need a medical dictionary at your side while you read it. It also is very thorough. I can't think of anything it failed to include. Reread in Dec. 2021.

[Koozebane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not in the target demographic, but I did find this book to be exceptionally thorough and informative, with a refreshingly individualistic and compassionate approach.