The need for sex and intimacy is an ageless issue essential to romantic relationships and personal well-being. However, our bodies change as we age, and naturally, so does our sexual health. What’s the connection between the sexual health and aging? Read on to find out!
Changes in Sexual Health
It doesn’t matter who you are — male or female, your body continues to change with age. There are many areas of your health that shift over time, namely, your sexual health. These differences aren’t always negative, although there are aspects to be aware of. Let’s take a closer look:
Men – For men, testosterone proves to be a key component of their sexual experience. In fact, testosterone is often referred to as the male sex hormone as it directly relates to their sex drive and individual sperm production. Although testosterone levels typically vary among men, they generally start to decline once they turn 30.
The gradual decline may be linked with other, more severe issues. Erectile dysfunction, for example, is a common sexual health concern that develops as a result of lower testosterone levels. If not appropriately taken care of with one of the many available treatments and lifestyle changes that make it easier to maintain an erection, the problem can have a significant impact on the sexual satisfaction of a man and his partner.
Women –Similar to men, a woman’s sexual desire seems to weaken with age. The difficulties associated with low levels of sexual desire and a lack of orgasm commonly stems from being with a partner who struggles with ED or from female-related sexual health issues like genitourinary syndrome and hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
These types of sexual dysfunctions hinder a woman’s ability to enjoy different types of sexual activity. Nevertheless, most women still yearn to have a healthy, fulfilling sex life, according to research.
How to Maintain a Satisfying Sex Life
Getting older doesn’t mean that your sexy years have come and gone! Sure, physical changes are unavoidable, but there are still ways to ensure your sexual wants and needs get met.
Identify the Sexual Health Concern
The only way to understand how to solve a problem is to face it head-on. Say, for example, you’re an older woman who’s beginning to go through the unruly stages of menopause. During this time, you might start to notice changes in your body. From vaginal dryness to hourly hot flashes, the fun really never stops!
Needless to say, these symptoms are simply related to your lack of period. They have nothing to do with how interested or uninterested you are with your partner! If you’re having trouble staying lubricated, there’s no reason to get discouraged. Talk to your doctor about these symptoms, and easy available remedies. Lower estrogen levels affect sexual desire, lubrication and overall satisfaction. And thankfully, some natural options for hormone replacement exist. If you still have your period and want to explore seed cycling for better hormonal balance, read this article on eating the right seeds at key times during your cycle.
Practice Effective Communication
Once you recognize and tackle your hormonal issues, the next step is to communicate with your partner effectively. Effective communication isn’t just telling your partner that you’re having sexual difficulties, but rather, explaining in detail what it is, relevant symptoms, and the influence it can have on your sex life. Guys, this means you too! While your issue might seem challenging or awkward to talk about, who better to speak about it with than your significant other? If anyone can, and should understand, it’s them.
Explore Uncharted Territory with Your Partner
Finally, consider exploring uncharted territory with your partner to keep the spark alive. Regardless if you’ve been together for years or have just gotten together, there’s never a wrong time to try new things and figure out what you like and dislike in the bedroom. As you get older, you’ll discover other ways in which your body can be stimulated. Whether you want to try different sex positions or throw lube and sex toys into the mix, at the end of the day, it’s all about how pleasurable the experience is. Not only do you want to make sure you’re comfortable and satisfied, but you’ll also want to assure your partner is too.
The Takeaway
No matter who you are and what your sexual health status is, your sex life is important. It deserves your attention. It deserves to be talked about. Contrary to public belief, your age should never hinder your sex life, because sex isn’t just for the younger generation; it’s for everyone. Identifying any health concerns, practicing effective communication, and exploring uncharted territory with your partner are some of the different ways that can help you keep that spark alive. For more information on how to maintain a healthy, satisfying sex life, click here.
