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Woman contemplating - Rosebud Woman Sexual Health Study
A Rosebud Woman Research Study

Women's Attitudes Towards Sexual Health & Intimate Wellness

in Perimenopause, Menopause & Beyond

April 2022 396 Women Surveyed · Ages 28-79 · US & Canada

Dear Reader,

Rosebud Woman is a US-based intimate and body care company inviting more reverence and joy throughout all of a woman's sensual, sexual and reproductive stages.

This survey is part of our ongoing commitment to understanding and providing solutions for a fuller, happier and healthier intimate life. We collected responses through an online survey distributed through our company, partners, membership associations and physicians.

It's clear that while our attitudes are evolving, our inner experience as women is still misrepresented, and our sexual health needs are still largely unmet. Survey respondents would like to see a more accurate expression of our sexuality in media, and a wider range of female bodies throughout a human lifecycle.

Women would like fewer surprises in understanding our biology and the phases the body goes through. Respondents would like more support in arousal and orgasm from the medical community, and for their sexual partners to understand how the female body works so that sex is more pleasurable for all people.

We hope you find something in this survey that supports more joy in your own embodiment, and/or greater understanding of the women in your life, and prompts a change in attitude and action.

Christine Marie Mason

Founder, Rosebud Woman

Methodology: Responses are tallied from 396 self-identifying women between the ages of 28 and 79, in the US and Canada. There were no inducements given for participation.
Active older woman - intimate health communication
Section One

Intimate Health Communication

How easy is it to talk about intimate wellness?

2.7

Average score on a scale of 1-5

1 = Very Difficult · 5 = Very Easy

It's Getting Easier by Generation

Between the Early Boomers and Millennials, talking about sexuality is getting easier, although it's still considered a difficult topic across the board.

Generation Partner Friend Mom Kids Average
Millennials (1981-1996) 3.80 3.00 2.10 3.40 3.01
Gen X (1965-1980) 3.30 2.90 2.30 3.10 2.93
Boomer II (1955-1964) 3.10 2.50 1.80 2.60 2.52
Boomer I (1946-1954) 3.10 2.30 1.60 2.40 2.34
Overall, it was easiest to speak with partners and friends, and hardest to speak with your own mother.
Section Two

Sexual Activity in Peri, Meno
and Post Meno Women

94%

of respondents in perimenopause, menopause or beyond are sexually active or would like to be.

Older Women Are Much More Sexual than is Commonly Held

62% Sexual Marriages or Partnerships
22% Solo Sexual
8.3% Sexual & Open, Dating or Poly
7.4% Completely Celibate by Choice
Older couple - the partner gap

The Partner Gap

If they aren't having sex, the number one reason older women report isn't due to lack of desire—it's that they have no partner.

#1 No Partner 15.5%
#2 Bad Marriage or Lack of Interest 4.1%
#3 Long Distance or COVID Restrictions 2.4%
Section Three

Blocks to Sexual Joy

Too Stressed to Orgasm

For more than half of respondents, the top two issues they report in the sexual arena are interconnected with how women perceive and judge their own bodies.

#1

The Inability
to Relax

#2

Difficulty
with Arousal

Section Four

Desires for Body Representation

Body Standards Impact Pleasure

Women are dissatisfied with seeing one beauty standard represented in the media. They seek, in descending rank order:

#1 Broader Age Representation
#2 Weight Representation
#3 Body Shape Representation
#4 Racial Variety
#5 More Varied Beauty Types Overall
Section Five

Women's Physical Needs

Dryness and Other Vulvar Skincare Needs are Pervasive

2/3

of all respondents reported one or more vulvar skincare needs

7/8

of women in perimenopause, natural or surgically-induced menopause

Including the need for moisture, sensation, calming, arousal, firming and freshness.

Common Intimate Health Concerns are Poorly Addressed

19%

of women are regularly impacted by UTIs, STIs, Yeast Infections, Excessive Bleeding, and Endometriosis—and are unsatisfied with available solutions.

Support Your Intimate Wellness

Rosebud Woman creates non-prescription, hormone-free and organic intimate care products to support women through every stage of life.

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About Rosebud Woman

Rosebud Woman is a pioneer in women's intimate wellness and body care. The company makes non-prescription, hormone-free and organic all-body and intimate care products, as well as items to support an inspired and reverent lifestyle. Through books, events and the celebrated Rose Woman podcast, the company creates conversations on women's embodiment, sexuality and self-love, so that women may stand in greater peace and power in the world.

info@rosewoman.com