From MadeForMums · · 1m 30s
Why your 40s could be the best decade for sex
Experts reveal how midlife can boost sex life with confidence and body awareness.
In brief
Experts reveal how midlife can boost sex life with confidence and body awareness. Women in their 40s may experience improved sex life through increased body confidence, responsive desire, and prioritizing personal pleasure. Originally reported by MadeForMums.
Why sex can get better in your 40s
Experts explain how midlife can improve sex life with increased body confidence and responsive desire.
“As we shift more towards 'responsive desire' than 'spontaneous desire', it also takes time and a degree of effort to create the mood to feel like sex.”
Midlife challenges for sex
Many women feel overwhelmed by parenting, careers, and caring for aging parents, leading to low libido and energy.
“Our 40s are often the decade when it feels like life throws everything at us.”
Perimenopause effects
Perimenopause symptoms like fatigue and low self-esteem can reduce sexual desire and confidence.
“Midlife can also bring perimenopause, with symptoms including fatigue, low libido and low self-esteem.”
Ruth Ramsay on responsive desire
Ruth Ramsay, adult sex educator, says women shift from spontaneous to responsive desire, requiring effort to create mood for sex.
“As we shift more towards 'responsive desire' than 'spontaneous desire', it also takes time and a degree of effort to create the mood to feel like sex.”
Positive changes in 40s
Women gain confidence in their bodies and become more aware of their sexual needs and desires.
“But there are reasons to feel positive about sex in your 40s. Experts say this can be a time when women become more confident about their bodies, more aware of what they want and more willing to prioritise their own pleasure.”
Empty nest benefits
An empty nest provides time and energy to rebuild body confidence and sexual focus after family responsibilities.
“An empty nest can bring time and energy to devote ourselves again, and many women regain a degree of healthy selfishness that we had to put aside while we were bringing up families and that can be a great benefit in bed.”
Sexual awakening in 40s
Women in their 40s may experience a sexual awakening through renewed focus on personal pleasure and exploration.
“Our focus comes back to pleasing ourselves rather than seeking to please everyone around us. And that’s a great thing for sex.”
How to improve sex life
Check in with your body, build sexual currency through communication, and address resentment to improve intimacy.
“Check in with your body, build up your sexual currency, and talk to each other.”
Body confidence tips
Focus on feeling good in your body, especially after pregnancy or during perimenopause, to boost sexual confidence.
“If you have children and they are still young then this may not seem possible. But if kids are older and you are able to reclaim some time to yourself, prioritise these things.”
At a glance
Women in their 40s may experience improved sex life through increased body confidence, responsive desire, and prioritizing personal pleasure.
