We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

Until way too recently, women of ‘a certain age’ have been unfairly labelled as undesirable and past wanting sex. To which we have to say: what the hell?

While menopause can bring with it a whole host of bodily changes, including taking a swing at your libido, contrary to popular belief, it is not the end of desire and pleasure for vulva owners.

In fact, menopause is a ‘new phase’ of pleasure, according to Samantha Marshall, head of brand at Smile Makers Collection, a GenM MTick-certified sexual wellness brand.

“Libido isn’t something that stays constant throughout life, and menopause is one of many moments where it can shift,” says Marshall.

“What’s important to remember is that this isn’t a ‘loss’ so much as a transition. Our relationship to pleasure evolves over time, and menopause is another opportunity to get to know your body again. For many, a lot of life is actually post-menopause; so this isn’t the end of pleasure, it’s a new phase of it.”

In case you were looking for a reason to start this new phase, like ASAP, sex toys can be an excellent tool to reconnect with your body, according to Marshall.

“Sex toys aren’t just about pleasure in the moment; they can support circulation, explore new types of stimulation, engage your pelvic floor and help you stay in touch with your body as it changes.

“Having tools that make exploration easier and more intuitive can help reconnect with that sense of desire, too.”

To help you on your journey to re-prioritise your pleasure, we’ve rounded up the best sex toys for menopause, as well as tips for how to add them into your sex life after menopause.

Our hormones (famously) go through a huge shift during menopause. This can contribute to changes in our sex life, with up to 86% of menopausal women reporting vaginal dryness, reduced libido, and discomfort, according to research by Smile Makers.

“Hormonal changes can play a big role in libido, but they’re only part of the picture,” Marshall says. “Things like stress, routine, sleep, medication, and life changes often have just as much, if not more, influence on desire.”

The drop in oestrogen can also impact our vaginal health, she adds. “Dryness or atrophy can cause pain or discomfort during penetrative sex and then in turn might make sex feel less desirable,” Marshall explains.

While these changes can result in wanting less sex, menopause doesn’t have to mean the end of pleasure.

“It’s about getting curious and finding new types of stimulation, not ignoring our most intimate parts and burying our head in the sand, but acknowledging that it’s such a worthwhile investment of our time and energy to seek our and allow ourselves pleasure,” Marshall explains.

As your body inevitably changes during menopause, you might find the stimulation you previously enjoyed changes.

Menopause can result in vaginal dryness and tightness, so Marshall recommends looking for toys that stimulate the external portions of your vulva.

“Many of us rely on clitoral stimulation to orgasm, and during menopause, internal sensitivity can decrease or feel uncomfortable,” she says. “Start with a design for exploring in and out.”

“Look for toys that let you easily control intensity, especially if sensitivity varies,” Marshall explains.

This might also involve using toys in more inventive ways, such as a suction vibrator on your nipples and other erogenous zones, rather than just your clitoris.

As sensitivity fluctuates during menopause, you’ll also want to look for soft, body-safe materials like silicone.

“As our vulva and vaginal tissues can become drier or more delicate, softness matters more than ever,” Marshall explains.

If you’re not sure whether a toy is menopause-friendly, look for products that carry the GenM MTick, Marshall recommends. “This is a trusted symbol that shows the product is suitable for menopause and has been independently assessed to meet the needs of women and people experiencing it,” she explains.

To save you time scrolling, our shopping writer has found 21 of the best sex toys for menopause, including options made from body-safe materials, that are versatile, and some that have the GenM MTick certification.

As with taking a break from anything, jumping back into the pleasure pool with a changing (or changed) body can be slightly intimidating.

To guide you through the process, we asked Samantha Marshall, head of brand at Smile Makers Collection, for her advice on using sex toys after menopause.

Lots of women experience dryness during and after menopause, which lube can help with.

“Lube can completely change the experience, making intimacy feel comfortable again and most importantly pleasurable,” Marshall says. “It acts as cushion to increase glide and decrease friction.”

Consistency can prevent intimacy from feeling like a chore. “Keep it regular, not rigid,” Marshall says. “Like any wellness habit, consistency helps; but it should feel inviting, not like a task.”

To avoid putting unnecessary pressure on yourself, be curious about what feels good, over performing. “This is a time to explore, not to recreate what things used to feel like but to meet yourself, your body, your pleasure exactly where you’re at today and be present,” Marshall says.

“Arousal may take longer, and that’s completely normal. Build sensation gradually, and remember that pleasure isn’t just about one area. Massage, touch, audio, or setting the mood can all help you reconnect with your sexual self.”

You may experience discomfort or pain if you have vaginal dryness or tightness after menopause.

“Don’t push through pain, especially with penetration,” Marshall recommends. “Discomfort can negatively impact desire over time, so it’s worth adjusting rather than enduring.”

“Use toys as a bridge, not a replacement,” Marshall notes. “In partnered sex, they can take pressure off and open up communication; turning intimacy into something more shared and exploratory.”

Many of us grew up being warned of “stranger danger” which was, on reflection, a bit vague – and also pretty terrifying.

Some parents still use it today, however experts are increasingly advising people to shun the whole “stranger danger” line as it could heighten social anxiety and limit kids’ ability to develop healthy interpersonal skills.

Instead, experts are advising to teach about “safe adults” and “tricky people”.

Pattie Fitzgerald, founder of safelyeverafter.com, previously told HuffPost that a tricky person is someone who tricks a child or parent into believing they’re a safe person.

They might ask a child for help, tell them to keep a secret from their parents, try to arrange alone time with them, touch their body excessively and/or inappropriately, or invade their personal space.

And on the subject of adults asking children for help, Nikki Jurcutz, an ex-paramedic who runs Tiny Hearts Education, recently warned that children would “willingly go with a stranger tomorrow” if they were asked: “Can you help me find my puppy?”

In an Instagram post, she said: “To a child, this sounds like the right thing to do. We raise our little ones to be kind and helpful. And that’s exactly what makes it work.”

Parents should teach children that “safe grown ups don’t ask kids for help”, said Jurcutz. “If an adult needs help finding something, they ask another adult. If they’re asking a child, something is wrong,” she added.

And as part of this education, it’s important to practice what they would say to someone if they were asked to help find a puppy, or to go with them, until these phrases become automatic.

“Because in that moment, they won’t have time to think. They’ll fall back on what they’ve rehearsed,” the former paramedic added.

Fitzgerald previously suggested focusing on empowerment, rather than fear, when teaching kids how to stay safe in these situations.

She said: “Use empowering words and phrases like ‘boss of your body’ or ’boss of your own touches,’ thumbs up and thumbs down behaviour in other people, listening to their ‘uh-oh feeling’ when their heart or their brain tells them something doesn’t seem quite right.”

In the UK, there has been a gradual shift away from stranger danger, with more of a focus from child safety charities on dealing with unsafe situations. The charity Action Against Abduction came up with ‘clever never goes’ after finding the stranger danger approach “doesn’t work”.

‘Clever never goes’ teaches kids that they must never go anywhere with anyone – so that means a stranger or a familiar face – unless plans have been made beforehand.

Bradford District NHS Foundation Trust urges parents to teach children how to identify and respond to threatening situations, rather than to specific people, with an emphasis on keeping them “safe, not scared”.

It advises letting kids know who they can trust if they need help (such as a uniformed police officer or a teacher) and explaining they must tell a trusted adult if they have been approached by a stranger or if they feel uncomfortable about a situation.

Netflix has announced that its hit spy drama The Night Agent is coming to an end.

But first, the show will go out with a bang, with one last season.

On Monday, the streaming giant announced that the fourth run of The Night Agent had begun production, and that this would be the show’s final outing.

Creator Shawn Ryan said in a statement: “Ever since the initial success of The Night Agent, I’ve been obsessed with eventually delivering a proper and thrilling conclusion to the show and to Peter Sutherland’s journey.

“I’m so grateful to Netflix and Sony Pictures Television for partnering with me on The Night Agent and for giving us the space to deliver a definitive final season to our worldwide legion of fans.”

“We are hard at work to complete our story and to make our final season one our fans will never forget,” he added.

Based on the novel of the same name, The Night Agent premiered in 2023, introducing Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland.

It eventually became something of a sleeper hit, with its first season notably becoming the third most-watched inaugural run for any Netflix original at that time, as well as becoming one of the most-watched shows of that year.

A second and third season followed in 2025 and 2026, respectively, with Netflix renewing it for a fourth run back in March.

Ryan said at the time: “It’s been a wild ride filming The Night Agent in five countries across three continents to this point and we’re so thrilled that the adventures of Peter Sutherland will continue into season four.

“Our writers, our cast and our crew stand ready to answer the call to bring our incredible fans even more twists, turns and thrills.”

The first three seasons of The Night Agent are now streaming on Netflix.

Britney Spears’ legal team has spoken out after the pop star pleaded guilty to reckless driving.

In early March, the chart-topping singer was pulled over by the police and arrested while out driving in California.

After checking herself into a rehab treatment facility, it was subsequently announced that Britney had been charged with a misdemeanour of driving while under the influence.

Her lawyer, Michael A. Goldstein, told Rolling Stone on Monday that Britney’s DUI charge had been “dismissed” at a hearing – where she was not in attendance – and that she had instead pleaded guilty to reckless driving.

“She’s doing well,” Goldstein said outside the courthouse. “It was reduced. The DUI was dismissed. She entered a plea to reckless driving.”

He continued: “We appreciate the district attorney recognising the positive steps Britney has taken to help herself, and we expect that she’ll continue to do so.”

Per Rolling Stone, Britney has been sentenced to 12 months of summary probation, during which she will be subjected to searches by law enforcement while driving.

She must also continue her “mental health and substance treatment”, which is said to include “weekly meetings with her psychologist and twice-monthly visits with her psychiatrist”, in addition to a three-month DUI course.

Following her arrest, Britney’s spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable. Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life.

“Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time. Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well being.”

Over the weekend, Britney returned to Instagram for the first time since entering rehab, posting footage of herself and her son, as well as an old clip of her dancing at her home from a year earlier.

She also posted a graphic with the slogan: “Your energy is magnetic, goddess.”

The Pussycat Dolls have announced they’ll no longer be moving forward with the planned American leg of their world tour.

Back in March, it was confirmed that the chart-topping girl group would be reuniting as a three-piece for a string of shows that would take them across North America and Europe, concluding with a run of performances around the UK and Ireland.

However, following poor sales for their shows in the US and Canada, the group announced on Monday night that they’d had to make a tough decision.

“We want to share an important update with you,” they began. “When we announced the PCD Forever Tour, we hoped to bring the show to fans across the world.

“After taking an honest look at the North American run, we’ve made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to cancel all but one of the North America dates.”

While a one-off performance at WeHo Pride in Los Angeles is still going ahead in June, the PCD Forever tour will officially now kick off in Copenhagen, Denmark in September.

“Our UK and European dates are still moving forward as planned,” the band insisted, pointing out that the “response has been incredible, with several shows already sold out”.

They added: “We are putting everything into making this show a true celebration of the music and the memories, for the fans who have been with us from the beginning and those discovering us for the first time.“We’re working hard to create the kind of show we’ve always dreamed of bringing to you. We cannot wait to bring this reunion to Europe and make these nights unforgettable.”

The current line-up of the Pussycat Dolls consists of Ashley Roberts, Kimberley Wyatt and frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger.

Former band member Carmit Bachar recently admitted she was disappointed to not be invited back for the planned reunion.

Meanwhile, Jessica Sutta – who now describes herself as a “mommy, wife and activist”, and is outspoken in her pro-MAGA and anti-vaccine stances – also insisted that while she was “never planning to return” to the Pussycat Dolls “under the current circumstances”, and is “still unable to dance due to ongoing health issues”, the reunion announcement still proved “difficult” for her.

Zack Polanski’s popularity has plummeted in the wake of the row over his reaction to the Golders Green attacks.

The Green Party leader was forced to apologise after appearing to criticise the police’s response to the incident.

Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were left seriously injured in what police have described as a terrorist incident last Wednesday.

A video of the incident posted showed Metropolitan Police apprehending the man suspected of carrying out the attacks.

Polanski retweeted a post on X which said: “So essentially [Met commissioner Mark Rowley’s] officers were repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by taser.”

That led to criticism from Rowley, who wrote to Polanski condemning “observers with little experience of policing in the real world” for criticising his officers.

Polling released by More in Common on Tuesday – two days before voters go to the polls in crucial elections across the UK – showed the Green Party leader’s approval rating has fallen by 14 points to minus 27 in the past week.

It means he now has a lower rating than Kemi Badenoch, Ed Davey and Nigel Farage, though remains comfortably ahead of Keir Starmer, who is by far the least popular leader with an approval rating of minus 45.

Responding to the findings, More in Common director Luke Tryl said the row was making some people “think twice” about voting Green.

He said: “Two things have happened. Zack Polanski’s negatives have gone up but some people, particularly younger people, have moved to being neutral about him.

“The Greens are seen as a hopeful party, quite a nice party. I just think that what some of the candidates have said about antisemitism and Zack perhaps not being robust enough on that, and responding in the way he did to the police, is making some people think twice.”

However, despite the row, the Greens are still forecast to gain round 600 English council seats in Thursday’s elections.

Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Good news for tired gardeners: no-mow May is upon us.

Experts like Monty Don recommend leaving our strimmers and mowers in the shed this month – even as late as the end of June – and letting our gardens grow wild instead.

Here are 13 bee-rilliant (sorry) reasons to lay down the blades:

Because of their open shape, bees find it really easy to extract much-needed pollen from yellow dandelions.

Calling the so-called “weed” our “most undervalued wildflower,” the Scottish Wildlife Trust added they also fuel other pollinators like butterflies, hover flies, day flying moths and solitary bees.

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside said that long grass is important for invertebrates, like insects, that “in turn provide food for birds and mammals such as hedgehogs″.

Additionally, some species, like craneflies and sawflies, which rely on longer grass to flourish, are “particularly important for the survival of young chicks”.

The common meadow brown butterfly lays its eggs in taller grass clumps, too.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, wildlife gardener Jack Wallington explained that “Wilder lawns are probably the most sustainable usable surface people can create because they absorb carbon as they grow”.

The Royal Horticultural Society added that “when you stop weekly mowing, your lawn starts on its journey to becoming natural grassland – one of the world’s most efficient carbon sinks, able to lock up over three tonnes of carbon per hectare”.

Yes, of course, you’re already down one task: mowing. But speaking to HuffPost UK previously, Helen Bostock, a senior wildlife specialist at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), said that letting your garden grow wild can make it more self-sufficient.

“A vibrant garden ecosystem is one that requires [fewer] inputs from gardeners – when natural predators are keeping the aphids in check, [fewer] sprays are needed,” she shared.

“It is also more productive – when insect pollinators are in abundance, our fruit trees will set heavier, higher quality fruit.”

Plantlife, the organisation that invented No Mow May, did so in response to the UK losing 97% of its grassland meadows since the 1930s.

Letting your lawn breathe increases its biodiversity and number of wildflowers.

Not only is it adaptable to a range of environments (native wildflowers flourish in “poor” soil), but it can suit all different needs, too.

If you need to keep a path or verge clear, that’s OK: it’s not an “all or nothing” policy.

The RHS said that “You can ‘no mow’ your whole lawn or just part of it. Leave it long until at least August for maximum wildlife benefit.”