“Good luck out there!” That was Kristin Davis’ parting sentiment to all her fellow single ladies when I interviewed her last month in Los Angeles. Because as the actress thoughtfully opens up about, sometimes the idea of a relationship—starting one, being in one, holding on to one—can feel less like a rational act and more like a toss-up.

That’s why we decided to create an entire special issue dedicated to the topics of sex and relationships in midlife—and as you can see below, there’s a lot to talk about. Let’s start with the cultural phenomenon that’s becoming so powerful it now has a name: “gray divorce,” which refers to the growing number of long-term marriages that are ending once spouses enter their fifties. 

Then there are all the ways our bodies change as we move through perimenopause and menopause that impact our not only our libido and desire (and yes, there is a difference between the two, as you’ll read in our “Midlife Sex Ed Guide”), but also our physical experience of sex. 

But it’s not all bad news out there. We found women who are having the time of their (mid)lives now that they’re back on the dating scene; their stories of finding love (or at least a lot of fun!) certainly shift the narrative around later-life romance.. 

My hope is, whatever your current relationship status, something in these stories will make you feel seen.