Does sexual orientation change as women age?

Is sexual orientation subject to change as women age?

A team of researchers has recently suggested that women should always be encouraged to have an open dialogue with their healthcare providers about a wide array of health concerns and also feel comfortable in discussing any lifestyle changes.

Sexual fluidity - being attracted to whomever, regardless of gender - is not a new concept, but has recently gotten a lot more attention because of high-profile celebrities openly announcing a change in their sexual status, making it somewhat fashionable to change sides.

That doesn't mean women are intentionally changing their sexual orientation, but for various reasons, such change is often happening later in women's lives and may actually change back-and-forth multiple times during different life stages throughout a woman's lifetime.

Study author Dr. Lisa Diamond from the University of Utah said, "We see a lot on the topic of sexual fluidity in the media, but it seems as if little of this information has trickled down into clinical practice."

"Healthcare providers need to recognise this new reality and incorporate it into their approaches to caring for their female patients," Diamond added.

"This presentation should remind us that we need to ask questions and not assume a patient's sexual orientation when discussing their concerns," says Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, NAMS executive director.

The presentation is set to be presented at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.