Steve Walsh and his wife, Linda (not their real names), last had sex in 2012.
The Walshes married in 2003, raised three children in western Washington state and shared a deep Christian faith.
Still, numerous challenges made their bedroom a no-sex zone.
Linda survived breast cancer, but the medications lowered her libido.
Steve also believes she suffers from undiagnosed depression.
Over time their relationship deteriorated, and their sex life ended.
The couple are now divorcing.
Steve, 58, is nervous about dating yet eager to end 10 years of agonizing celibacy.
I want so badly to have that closeness with someone, he says.
I dream about it.
A surprisingly high percentage of people in their 50s are living sexless lives and the number is growing.
In 2018, 20 percent of Americans ages 50 to 59 hadnt had sex in the past year.
How bad is that?
Why might this be?
Gen Xers are facing multiple mojo-reducing challenges, including sandwich-generation stress and fatigue.
Physical changes due tomenopauseor health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes can wreak havoc on the libido.
I felt embarrassed because were taught that all men want sex, she recalls.
I thought something was wrong with me.
For singles,finding a partner in your 50scan feel like entering an alien universe.
When we first started dating, there werent all of these apps, Yvonne says.
Some people just say, Why am I going through this?
But there is hope.
To rev up your sex life, consider this advice from medical and psychological experts.
If your sex drive has diminished … Get a physical, and check that any chronic ailments are under control.
Dont be shy about mentioning your libido.
Women can talk to the gynecologist about treatments such as vaginal estrogen.
Lighten up.Beingoverweightcan affect your sex drive physiologically and emotionally.
