Do older women crave sex as much as young men? So do, some don’t.
By Carol Fisher
Older women wanting sex: Let’s face it, girls: Sex is a subject you typically talk about behind closed doors with your partner or during lunch with your closest friends (glass of wine discretionary). But I’ve noticed as women mature that sex isn’t always the hot lunch topic it used to be. That’s not a bolt from the blue, bearing in mind how sex (now) has to fit into the hotchpotch of our lives that also includes work, kids, aging parents, and, oh yes, having a good night’s sleep. But it does make me wonder about the future. Is there a time when sex will no longer be on the agenda? And can we—should we—change that?
Do older women still love sex as much as they used to? The answer is, that it depends and it’s up to each of us to keep ourselves sexually active. Women between the ages of 40 and 65 who place greater importance on sex are more likely to stay sexually active as they age, according to research carried out by a bunch of clever people who know all about this sort of stuff.
The study translates to, ‘if sex is important to you, you’ll keep on doing it.’
Having discussed this with my female friends, I’d say it’s probably true!
Know I’m not saying that (necessarily) sex is more satisfying it later age, just that we are more likely to remain sexually active.
Clearly, there are reasons why sex may slow down for women as they get older, not least of which is menopause. When a woman’s ovaries stop producing estrogen, her vaginal lining gets thinner, she will have less vaginal flexibility and muscle tone, and natural vaginal lubrication and stimulation will take longer.
All this means that mature women can experience:
Reduced libido (a lack of interest in sex)
Problems with vaginal lubrication
Pain and discomfort with penetration
Unable to climax.
Some women may have sexual dysfunction that’s associated with social or psychological issues, such as stress, anxiety, body image problems, relationship issues, or the lack of having a partner.
Being healthy is also important to remain sexually active. A good heart that can pump sufficient blood to her vagina is vital for creating ample lubrication and arousal. Things like high blood pressure, diabetes and depression can bump sex aside. Also, some medications can have anti-sex side effects, such as some drugs used to treat depression or high blood pressure can dull interest in sex or cause a problem reaching orgasm.
So what can women do to increase their sex drive? First off, seek treatment. It is not as difficult as you might think. Lots of sexual issues can be reversed with the right remedy, particularly if they’re relatively new. Treatment is often very successful.
Some therapies are easy, such as using a lubricant or low-dose vaginal estrogen for dryness and pain or swapping a medication with negative side effects. At times the treatment may be more involved, such as hormone therapy for decreased libido or sex therapy for inability to climax, but it’s worth it to get your sex life back on track.
That said, clinical therapy is just part of the prescription. Lifestyle changes can also make a massive difference to:
Exercise improves sexual function by getting better blood flow and strengthening your heart.
If you smoke, seriously try to quit. It will help with blood flow to your sexual organs and may even push back your menopause for a few years.
Drink alcohol in moderation. Alcohol is known to reduce sexual reflexes, set off hot flashes, and disturb sleep.
Watch your weight and work toward having the body image you (and your partner) want.
Eat a healthy diet which will help you avoid nasty illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, and help you to maintain a healthy weight.
Also, introduce some novelty to your life. Go on dates.
Why bother with all this?
Because sex is important to your health, it revs up metabolism and boosts your immune system. Regular sexual intercourse is linked to a reduced risk of having a heart attack. It will help your vagina stay naturally lubricated, flexible, and healthy. And it’s fun.
If your health (and sex) is important to you it’s worth talking about.