1. There will be no less sex
According to research Sexual Behavior. , a third of people in the USA continue to engage in vaginal sex until the age of 70. At 40, this figure is 70% for women and 74% for men.
What about Russia—it is not exactly clear: we have problems studying sexuality, especially among the elderly. However, according to practically the only large-scale study Sexual life of people over 65. , intimate life continues for a third of people aged 65–67, after which the percentage drops to 16. Up to 79 years old, 6% of Russians engage in sex. And only by the age of 80 do they stop having sexual relations.
The author of the study, sociologist Dmitry Rogozin, notes 90: why it is possible and necessary to talk to the elderly about death, sex, and education. : “One grandmother giggled and said: ‘You know, to be honest, real sex only starts after 50.’ An 86-year-old man, who lost his wife, said that they regularly had sex until he was 70. Then she died, he went blind. And after a while, he “made friends” with her acquaintance.”
2. You will still have to worry about safety
No age protects Sexuality in Later Life. you from sexually transmitted diseases. So both after 40 and after 60, you are at risk for diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, hepatitis B, genital warts, and trichomoniasis.
As you age, the risk of contracting HIV does not decrease. In the USA, half of those who are HIV-positive are over 50 HIV, AIDS, and Older People. . This is because the quality of medicine helps people with the virus live longer. In Russia, the majority The number of HIV-positive individuals in the RF increased by more than 5% in 2016. of HIV-positive individuals are men aged 35–39.
So do not neglect condoms with new partners. And do not stop getting tested for STIs as the years go by.
3. You will continue to masturbate
Research National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior. has shown that from ages 16 to 59, the percentage of women who masturbate in the USA does not decrease and remains at around 60%. A third of women over 70 also masturbate. On average, 70% of men masturbate until the age of 69. Then the figure drops Sexual Behavior. to 46%.
In Russia, there is a lack of such studies; we mainly always refer to foreign statistics. However, surveys about masturbation have been conducted How much do women and men masturbate on average? in many countries. On average, they say Nine out of ten people masturbate — and that’s normal. the same thing: until the age of 30, people masturbate almost every day and continue to do so at least until 60.
4. It will become more difficult to have sex
This is due to physiological changes in the body, which we inherited from primitive people. Until 40, few lived long, and the whole idea was to produce offspring before dying. Evolution did not see the point of leaving a working reproductive system to those who would soon die, which is why menopause in women now occurs practically in mid-life, something that was unthinkable before.
Women
During perimenopause (between ages 40 and 50), estrogen levels begin to drop, menstruation becomes less regular, the vagina may narrow, and its walls may become thinner Sexuality in Later Life. . Most women begin to produce less vaginal lubrication, which can lead to pain during sex. Thinned vaginal walls may bleed after penetration, increasing the risk of infections. Water-based lubricants can help solve this problem.
If a woman is using hormone therapy to treat various menopause symptoms, like hot flashes, her libido may increase.
You should inform your doctor about any changes in your body that are affecting your sex life. They can help find the best way to address issues.
Men
Between the ages of 40 and 50, men undergo changes related to erections. Erotic dreams are no longer enough Great Sex After 40. to raise the penis—genital stimulation is needed.
Journalist Michael Castleman, who has been writing about sex for 36 years, says Great Sex After 40. that erections in men over 40 can be much less stable.
Now any distracting factor can lead to the end of an erection. But this is not erectile dysfunction; it is simply dissatisfaction with their new middle-aged erection. And this is not a problem.
If the changes happening are concerning you, see a doctor before taking advertised medications for erection or turning to alternative medicine. Most likely, your problem is easily solvable, and you do not have erectile dysfunction.
5. But the quality of sex will improve
Many women over 40 are more satisfied with their sex than they were in their youth. Here are a few reasons they mention:
- “Men my age are definitely better in bed; they are generally less selfish, more experienced, and focused on giving pleasure to a woman.”
- “I’m 55; I clearly know my body and can tell and show my partner what to do.”
- “It’s amazing how confidence in oneself and in one’s body makes it easier to experience pleasure.”
- “The biggest change for me is that I no longer fear hurting the other person by telling them what I like and how in bed. At 20, 30, I was afraid to ask for new things, so they wouldn’t think that they were doing it poorly now. Now I’m 43, and I’m definitely not shy about talking in bed.”
- “I’m 55. My husband is 58. Our kids have grown up; they can no longer disturb us. We are not afraid of pregnancy. We don’t care about our wrinkles. We can finally enjoy each other and be as loud as we want.”
Journalist Michael Castleman notes that pain during intimacy for women and insufficient erection for men force many partners to reconsider their approach to sex and significantly diversify it.
Unfortunately, many people believe that sex is exclusively in-out. And when problems start with this, they think sex is completely over for them.
Castleman asserts that this age truly uncovers intimacy: couples move away from a single perception of "correct" sex and start experimenting. Oral sex, toys, and role-playing become normal practices.
6. Problems with erection will not hinder male orgasm
Men do not need an erection for orgasm. Even with a flaccid penis, a comfortable setting, erotic fantasies, and energetic caresses from a woman are enough for orgasm to occur. It will feel just as pleasant as before.
7. But heart disease will complicate experiencing pleasure
Narrowing and hardening of the arteries affect blood vessels and hinder the flow of blood in the body. As a result, men and women may experience problems with orgasms Sexuality in Later Life. . It may also take longer to become aroused, and men will find it more difficult to maintain erection.
At 40, this may not threaten you, but it is better to take care of your health in advance: eat properly, stay physically active, and not delay visits to the doctor if you have concerns about your heart.
Conclusion
Research shows Determinants of female sexual orgasms. that the majority of orgasms occur in women over 36. And women at 67 experience orgasm more frequently than at 24 Sexual satisfaction in women increases with age. . But there are no physiological reasons for this.
It’s simply that women gain confidence in themselves and begin to voice their desires or criticism. Meanwhile, men take criticism better than at 20 and are more willing to devote time to foreplay. Both men and women are open to experiments and new sensations.
So why endure 15 years of bad sex to finally start respecting oneself and listening to one’s body at 40?
By nature’s design, people after 40 were not supposed to have sex at all, but we have made this period the best in sexual life because there were no rules, and improvisation was necessary.
So do not be afraid of sex after 40; it will get better. But remember, you will make the best sex yourself. And you have everything to start doing it at 20.
