Sexologist Arlynn Revell says your sex life depends much on your age and life stage, your sexual ambitions and abilities, and how – over time – your body changes. A woman’s sex drive, in particular, is affected by hormones, life circumstances, relationship status and self-image.
1. Your twenties
These are your fertile years, but your libido is not keeping up with your fertility. You are growing more comfortable in your body and gaining sexual confidence. “During this period, a woman finds more satisfaction out of attention, acceptance, feeling sexy and feeling attractive than physical pleasures,” says Revell. It is important that you find the right birth control that works for you at this age.
2. Your thirties
In your 30s (and 40s), you tend to have more sexual fantasies and actual sex than your younger counterparts. Marriage can give you sexual freedom, and abandoning birth control can increase your testosterone levels, which in turn stimulates your sex drive, says Revell. She adds that you tend to have more self-confidence at this age, and are willing to experiment sexually to find what works best for you and your partner. Click on the link to find out what studies reveal about women sex drive after childbirth.
3. Your fourties
This is the decade when you hit your sexual peak. “One explanation may be that as estrogen levels start to drop towards the end of the reproductive years, the testosterone in a woman’s body is unopposed, giving an extra jolt to the libido. Increased experience and skill at sex may also be a factor,” adds Revell.
4. Your fifties
Menopause is beckoning, lowering your estrogen levels, and you may experience vaginal dryness or thinning of the vaginal walls at this time. This can make sex uncomfortable at times. “Many women try to restore their ‘sexual selves’ to their former beauty, through breast implants, Botox or vaginal reconstruction,” comments Revell.
5. Your sixties and beyond
Revell says: “Many women continue to enjoy sex into their 60s, 70s and beyond, and sexual habits tend to remain fairly stable. The good news is that sex increases blood flow to the vaginal area, keeping this zone healthy and elastic. With communication, older women can find themselves enjoying sex more, and have more intimate and imaginative encounters than before.”
Want to know how to set up your bedroom for better sleep? Click on the link to find out.
