Dr. Pepper Schwartz

Biography: I'm AARP's sex and relationship expert, where I strive to improve the lives of aging boomers and the age-50 audience by enhancing their relationships and offering counsel on everything from sex and health issues to communication and dating in midlife and beyond.

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Dr. Pepper Schwartz 'sPosts

Sex: Is it weird when…

Posted on 11/12/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Relationships | Your LifeQ: What does it mean when a guy goes mentally numb and has an “out-of-body” experience of sorts during sex? In the few times we have had sex, the guy I’m trying to be with has mentioned this happening. He says it is the best feeling in the world but also kind of scary, and that he has had this feeling only one other time out of all the relationships he has had. He told me not to worry about …

The Wrong Kind of Dirty

Posted on 11/12/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Home & Family | Personal Health | Relationships | Your LifeQ: I am 58 and have a deep connection with a man I’ve known for about a year. We get along fabulously and I believe most women would think he is a great catch; I definitely do. My problem stems from his questionable hygiene. His work requires some extreme conditions as well as some dirty jobs. I’m not sure he realizes this hygiene issue has spilled into his everyday life and I don’t know how or if I should broach …

I’m Lonely In My Marriage

Posted on 11/5/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Home & Family | Personal Health | RelationshipsQ: I’m married and lonely. My husband, age 68, has his own business, works six days a week with 10- to 12-hour days, and is recovering from prostate cancer surgery, with a low testosterone count. Meanwhile, I’m home alone every day by myself with no friends nearby or opportunities to make them (we live in a vacation community with no permanent residents). The one day a week hubby does take off, he sleeps until noon or later to catch up …

I’m Taking Away Your Allowance

Posted on 10/29/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Home & Family | Money & Savings | RelationshipsQ: My husband will not quit spending. He has purchased several vehicles, only to trade them in for less than we owed on them. During our 18-year marriage, we have refinanced our house six times to pay off loans and credit cards. When we refinanced this last time, I refused to pay any of his credit cards or loans off. I would not have even considered refinancing again, but the low rates were appealing. That was 21/2 years ago. I …

A Tricky Love Triangle?

Posted on 10/26/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Home & Family | RelationshipsQ: I recently ran into an old lover who is now a widower. I was once very much in love with this man and after seeing him again, I find that I am still strongly attracted to him. I am married, my spouse is impotent and I am a very sexual person who needs touching and affection to feel wanted and loved. My spouse won’t even hold my hand when I beg! I am torn. I still respect my spouse, …

Are You Even Listening to Me?

Posted on 10/24/2012 by Dr. Pepper Schwartz | Sex & Relationships | Comments

Home & Family | RelationshipsQ: Why is it that when a couple is trying to communicate, the conversation can get lost when one spouse gets upset before the problem is resolved? The conversation then becomes about arguing and isn’t productive. How does one fix this? Dr. Pepper Schwartz: It’s a great question. Not everyone says what they mean or means what they say — and it costs a lot of extra heartache. There is a style of communicating that you may want to look …