As couples approach the middle years, it is believed that their bodies, psychology, hormones,
lifestyles and sexual responses change. This change, many opine could be gradual or subtle but
could reduce or increase sex life.
However, a new study says none of these changes interferes with a full sex life of women.
The study claims that women grow increasingly satisfied with their sex lives after they turn 40.
The study states that sex has simply become an act or another activity of fun like a game of basketball
for women in such older age or 40 above, knowing that they may not be able to get pregnant again when
above
menopause age.
This, according to the study, removes the ruinous risk or life-changing blessing – procreation –
that has accompanied sex since puberty.
Besides, it explains that as partners become older, more experienced and more trusting of each other,
they may become less inhibited in their views of what constitutes satisfying sex.
“For women in such older age, sex may no longer be a risk-taking adventure because it becomes
something that they do ‘now or never,’ hence, it seems only natural to try out new acts, positions and partners,
if there is any reason to, and such couples are often forced to find new ways to give each other pleasure,
” it states further.In the research, carried out by Prof. Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, who is the chief of
epidemiology
division in the Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of California, San Diego,
United States,
a group of women aged between 40 and 100 with a median age of 67, were surveyed.
In the study, published in the American Journal of Medicine, half of the respondents said they
were sexually active, and most of the women said they were able to become aroused, maintain
lubrication and
achieve orgasm during sex, even after the age of 80.
Furthermore, among the sexually active women, those who were below age 55 or above 80 were
found to report satisfaction with their ability to achieve orgasms.
“I was surprised by how many people were completely satisfied over the age of 80,” said Barrett-Connor.
More than any other group, men and women in their 40s considered themselves emotionally
and physically satisfied by their lovemaking, and not because they lasted longer in bed or have
more energy to go for more rounds, the study revealed.
However, it is noteworthy that in spite of the fact that sexual activity drops off in older women,
it remains a significant part of the lives of many of them.
Still in the course of the study, the researchers mailed a questionnaire that asked very personal
questions to 1,303 well-educated group of upper-middle class women, who live a healthy lifestyle,
in a suburban California community, out of which 806 responded to the questions about sex.
Worthy of note is the fact that almost half of the women over age 80 said they were always or
almost always sexually satisfied.
It is understandable that most women who have grown up to their ’40s and above invested
some years in romantic myths, involving love, marriage and sex, thus, some of such women who are
now on their own, whether through widowhood, divorce or never having married, may occasionally
get lonely, look forward to a good time as often as they look forward to a long-term relationship.
Hence, for such women, a good sex may be worth looking up to, more so that there is no more monthly
cycle that could hamper their enjoyment.
Ever wondered why some older women ‘recruit’ young men, old enough to be their grandchildren,
for such ‘work’, this probably explain why.
According to Laura Berman, relationship therapist and sex educator, “Getting older can
sometimes cause changes in our bodies and our sexual response, or complicate our ability to enjoy sex,
but the good news is that these changes do not need to impede the sex life.
The best way to deal with change is simply to talk about it and to adjust, which is the most important
sex secret of all.
“Normal aging brings physical changes in both men and women and these changes sometimes
affect one’s ability to have and enjoy sex but some women enjoy it more as they grow older and after
menopause or a hysterectomy (surgical operation to remove the womb), they may no longer fear
an unwanted pregnancy, hence, feel freer to enjoy sex.
A research letter in JAMA Internal Medicine reports that women between the ages of 40 and 65
who place greater importance on sex are more likely to stay sexually active as they age. In other words,
if it is important to you, you would keep on doing it.
Dr. Jan Leslie Shifren, an associate professor of obstetrics, gynaecology, and reproductive biology
at Harvard Medical School said many sexual problems can be reversed with appropriate therapy,
especially if they are new and that the treatments are often successful.
“Some therapies are simple, such as using a lubricant or low-dose vaginal oestrogen for dryness and pain.
“Sex is important to women’s health. It revs up metabolism and may boost the immune system.
Frequent sexual intercourse is associated with reduced heart attack risk. It can help the vagina s
tay lubricated, elastic, and healthy. And it is fun,” Shifren advised
