Brooke Shields, the legendary model and actress, is opening up about the shifts in her sex life as she nears 60.
In her new book, “Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old”, she shares the realities of how her relationship with sex has changed, offering a raw and relatable look at a topic many in her age group can relate to.
Shields reflects on her early sexual experiences, describing a youthful drive that felt constrained by societal pressures.
“I had a fervent sex drive when I was young, but I never felt like I could step into that appetite in the way that I wanted to,” Shields reveals.
She recalls waiting until she was 22 to lose her virginity to her college boyfriend, feeling the "weight of the world" on her shoulders. “Even once we started sleeping together, I never really let loose,” she writes. “Oh, how I wish I’d just let the lust take over!”
Decades later, her sex drive has noticeably shifted. She writes, “Sometimes I pretend I’m asleep when I know Chris is in the mood. And that has nothing to do with Chris — he’s hot!”
This experience isn’t unique to Shields. Research indicates that sexual desire often decreases with age due to various factors, including hormonal changes, stress and physical health issues.
According to a 2018 study published in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”, women in their 50s frequently report a decrease in sexual desire and activity, often due to menopause-related symptoms like vaginal dryness and reduced libido.
Shields also shares that her doctor emphasised the importance of maintaining an active sex life for overall health and relationship satisfaction.
While she acknowledges the physical discomfort that sometimes accompanies intimacy, she’s considering options like hormone therapy to help manage these changes.
Her story echoes the advice from health professionals, who suggest that open communication with partners and healthcare providers, along with potential treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT), can improve sexual satisfaction in later years.
The Mayo Clinic highlights that HRT can alleviate menopausal symptoms, including vaginal dryness, which can enhance sexual comfort.
Shields’ openness about her experiences sheds light on the broader reality many face as they age.
By discussing these changes with honesty and humour, she helps normalise the conversation around sex and ageing, encouraging others to navigate this stage of life with confidence and understanding.