“We are too young to worry”: late-midlife adults’ voices on sexual changes, distress, and help-seeking behaviors

Sexual health and well-being (SH&WB) in late midlife is an important yet underexplored aspect of healthy aging. Satisfying sexual activity contributes to psychological and relational well-being, yet midlife is marked by physiological changes, health issues, and social transitions that can affect sexual functioning. Existing research has mostly focused on adults over 60 or on clinically diagnosed sexual problems, leaving late-midlife experiences largely overlooked. This qualitative study addresses that gap by examining how late-midlife adults (50–64) in Poland perceive and navigate SH&WB challenges, shedding light on their experiences. Forty participants (25 women, 15 men) took part in semi-structured, in-depth interviews, and reflexive thematic analysis was applied. Many participants did not identify themselves as belonging to the “aging” group, often describing themselves as “too young” to experience age-related sexual concerns. Consequently, common changes (e.g., lower libido, vaginal dryness, and erectile difficulties) were seldom perceived as distressing or problematic. Participants typically managed these changes independently through creative, tactful strategies and by addressing psychosocial factors, reserving help-seeking for instances of severe distress or disruptions to sexual activity. These findings suggest that healthcare providers should respect late-midlife adults’ perspectives and avoid over-medicalizing normal sexual changes. Instead, SH&WB should be integrated into routine care in a supportive manner that encourages open dialogue and proactive engagement, laying the groundwork for assistance if future needs arise.