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Sexual Health, Midlife and South Asian Women: Breaking the Silence

In this episode of the MenopauseWize Podcast, Dr. Sukhpreet Patel is joined by Dr. Sadaf Lodhi. Dr Lodhi is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist who has been practicing in New York for over 20 years. Dr. Lodhi’s work is centered around empowering and educating women, with a special focus on sexual health, menopausal care, and intimacy coaching.

She currently runs a concierge medical practice serving patients in New York and also provides telehealth care to women in Michigan. While she supports women across all aspects of female health, her clinical passion lies in helping women navigate midlife, sexuality, and hormonal transitions with confidence and clarity.

Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Lodhi is also the host of The Muslim Sex Podcast, where she explores conversations around intimacy and women’s health in culturally nuanced spaces. You can also find her on Instagram at @drsadafobgyn, where she continues to break stigma and educate women about sexual and menopausal health.

Sexual health in midlife is rarely discussed openly, and when we add the cultural context of South Asian communities, the silence often becomes even deeper. Many women grow up without language around pleasure, intimacy, or the physical changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause.

In this conversation, Dr. Lodhi and Dr. Patel explore how hormonal changes during midlife affect sexual health, including painful intercourse, low libido, and shifts in arousal and pleasure. They also discuss the cultural layers that shape how South Asian women experience and talk about these changes — from normalization of discomfort to hesitation around seeking treatment.

The discussion also examines how cultural expectations, communication patterns within marriages, and longstanding beliefs about modesty and duty can influence whether women seek help or simply endure symptoms.

Importantly, this episode also highlights that many of these concerns are both common and treatable. From vaginal estrogen and lubricants to pelvic floor therapy and improved communication, there are evidence-based options that can significantly improve comfort and sexual well-being.

The episode concludes with practical advice for South Asian women navigating midlife sexuality and reflections on whether the next generation may be entering menopause with a more open understanding of sexual health.

This conversation aims to break stigma, provide clarity, and remind women that sexual health is an important part of overall health.

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The information provided in all episodes of the MenopauseWize podcast, including content shared by Sukhpreet Patel or any guest or representative, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

SheRise Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., MenopauseWize, Sukhpreet Patel, or any representative will not be held responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or reliance on the information provided in this podcast. Listeners are encouraged to use the information at their own discretion and always seek advice from a licensed medical professional before making any healthcare decisions.