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Ashleigh Gleeson
National Health Editor

Plenty of brave people shared their stories for our sexual health series because they wanted to help others.

Straight-talking Haydn Reid spoke of how he got his sex life back after prostate cancer, in the hope it would encourage men to get screened.

Meanwhile Tiara McLeod told of her struggles in being able to orgasm - something that is more common than you might think with women - due to muscles in her pelvic floor being overactive.

Sex is also thought to be painful for one in 10 women.

Lauren Richardson didn’t want to just put up with it, so the 25-year-old went to see a pelvic floor physio and now has a treatment plan.

Those who feel as though intimacy is being lost in their long-term relationship will also find the story of Craig and Tess Godfrey, who have been married for 30 years, useful.

They opened up about how their sex life had become a “chore” and how going to a retreat helped them achieve a complete 180.

These are all issues we rarely talk about.

But the takeaway from the series is that you are not alone and you shouldn’t just put up with a problem, because there are options, support and solutions available.

I hope you have a great week.

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Three stories to read today
I couldn’t have an orgasm – why it affects many women
Tiara McLeod has opened up about her difficulties in being able to reach an orgasm in the hope it will help women going through the same thing talk about it.
How I got my sex life back after prostate cancer
Haydn Reid had his prostate removed after discovering cancer. He and his partner have opened up on their sex life in the hope it will help others.
How a ‘making love retreat’ reignited our sex life
Couples are flocking to intimacy retreats around Australia to revitalise their sex lives. Here’s what happens at them.

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In focus

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It makes me really angry I’ve just had to put up with it ... it felt like I had a constant UTI, and obviously you don’t want to have sex with that.

Lauren Richardson finds sex painful. This is how she sought help

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To help you right now
Five ways to overcome common sex struggle for men aged 40+
It’s a bedroom issue older men may feel embarrassed about, but it’s actually incredibly common. So, we’ve spoken to doctors, urologists and sexologists on the solutions available.
Five sex toy questions answered
Sexologists say sex toys can be a great way to explore your sexuality. These are five health questions answered.
Ways you can bring back the sex spark in a long-term relationship
A leading sexologist says it’s common for couples to become “awkward” in the bedroom. She explains how to bring back the spark.

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Exercise and nutrition

#1 How much sugar are you really eating and drinking? It’s hard to reduce our sugar intake when it’s added to everything from yoghurt to soups and bread. These are 10 useful tips.

#2 Meet the Aussie blokes going to 'female' exercise classes This group of mates are trading in push ups for pilates and pole dancing classes on TikTok. This is what surprised them most about the workouts.

#3 The fruit and vegetable peels you should never throw out Many of us need to eat more fibre, but you should look at your food scraps before rushing out to buy a supplement.

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More from our expert columnist

Dietitian Lyndi Cohen on why you can't lose that last 5kg

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Lyndi Cohen, a Sydney dietitian and nutritionist, changed her mindset with losing weight — and she's never looked back.

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Train your Brain
In film The Wizard of Oz, which character does Dorothy meet first?
The Chase Australia’s official Shark, Brydon Coverdale, has created a new daily quiz challenge. Test yourself.

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What we're cooking

Ginger and sesame bars with passionfruit tahini drizzle

These ginger and sesame bars have all the lovely spice of festive gingerbread, plus some. They’re also paleo, dairy- and gluten-free, and full of fibre. image

Read the method and ingredients needed to whip this up yourself, here.

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