There’s no age limit on a great sex life. Despite negative stereotypes surrounding sexuality and aging, sex after 40 can be fun and satisfying in new and exciting ways. The key is understanding how sex drive and sexual function can change during this new chapter of life. This article will explore the physiological and psychological shifts that come with aging and share tips on how women can boost sexual desire and arousal.
As women enter perimenopause and menopause, they experience significant changes in hormone levels that can impact libido. Women may also start to notice changes in their vaginas, like dryness and thinning vaginal tissue that can impact the vagina’s ability to self-lubricate, leading to painful sex. Hormone status, personal experiences, everyday stress, and partner dynamics are also factors that can enhance or deplete your sex drive as you age. But aging shouldn’t mean compromising on sexual fulfillment and intimacy.
The Physiology of Sex Drive As Women Age
Throughout a woman’s reproductive years, sexual arousal tends to peak mid-menstrual cycle before ovulation.(1) Sexual arousal causes enhanced blood flow to the genitals, stimulating an increase in vaginal lubrication and making sexual intercourse more pleasurable. However, the physical and mental changes that occur as you age can cause a shift in your sex life after 40. You may find that sexual desire ramps up or slowly wanes — but why?
During perimenopause and menopause, fluctuations in the body’s levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can affect libido. During the menopause transition, it’s normal to experience decreases in sex drive as levels of these hormones decline. As you approach postmenopause and hormone levels begin to stabilize, you may find yourself desiring more sexual activity.(2) Your libido may even reach a new high during this phase of life when pregnancy is no longer a concern.
Sex As Women Age
While we all feel like we understand sex, there is still much left unanswered about what motivates us to engage in sexual intercourse. Whether you’re a 45-year-old woman, a 50-year-old woman, or enjoying life in your 60s, there’s no age at which a woman officially stops being sexually active.
Women may choose to engage in sexual intercourse for a variety of reasons beyond reproduction. Research published in a scientific review showed that some women were more inclined to have sex for the purpose of satisfying physical attraction, relieving stress, experiencing pleasure, or gaining a new experience. Other reasons included love or expression in relation to committed relationships. Sexual motivations remain similar regardless of sexual orientation.(3) Knowing this, your motivations for sex may change with age.
Sex may become more or less enjoyable over time as women’s lives naturally change throughout their 40s, 50s, and 60s. The development of physical health conditions, mental health struggles, or the loss of a spouse may suppress sexual appetite.(4) Meanwhile, children leaving home, fewer work responsibilities, or greater feelings of self-acceptance are all factors that may enhance your sex life after 40.
Sex for Women Over 40
Many women continue to have sex after 40. In a research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found that for women between the ages of 40 and 65, the more important they claimed sex was to them, the more they engaged in regular sexual activity.(5)
However, aging can sometimes pose challenges to sexual function and sexual satisfaction. Fluctuating hormone levels during perimenopause and menopause can cause symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), including vaginal dryness, changes to the clitoris, urinary symptoms, and painful sex (dyspareunia).(6)
Over time, and without treatment, inflammation and insufficient vaginal lubrication can lead to tearing and bleeding of vaginal tissues during sex. Depending on the severity of the discomfort, untreated vaginal pain that occurs during sexual intercourse can have a negative impact on women’s quality of life.
Women over 40 experience painful sex differently. Sensations may be different for you than they are for a 45-year-old woman or a 60-year-old woman. In some cases, pain may only be felt during penetration. Other women may experience a burning or throbbing sensation that persists after penetrative sex. Discomfort can also include a feeling of itchiness or tightness.(7)
Pain during sex, or the anticipation of pain during sex, may lower sex drive in some older women. This worry over whether the pain will come back can also cause involuntary — and painful — tightening of the vaginal muscles, called vaginismus.(8) As a result, it may take longer for women to become sexually aroused. Achieving orgasm may also become more difficult.
It’s estimated that anywhere between 20% and 59% of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women are affected by painful sex.(9) Research also suggests that women may be more likely to experience painful sex during the late perimenopause stage or postmenopause stage.
Unlike vasomotor symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and night sweats, which usually improve over time, women’s vaginal symptoms can progressively worsen. These vulvovaginal changes are natural, but you can get treatment for your symptoms and enjoy a pain-free sex life in your 40s and older.
Ways to Avoid Painful Sex During and After Menopause
The secret to great sex after 40 is knowing your body and understanding the changes it goes through throughout your life. Understanding the physical and emotional shifts that accompany aging can help you discover what pleases you sexually. Knowing this information can help you confidently communicate your sexual needs to a partner.
The following are tips to avoid painful sex and improve your sex life after 40:
1. Consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help relieve vulvovaginal symptoms as well as other common symptoms of menopause. Systemic HRT treatments, such as body creams, patches, or capsules, are available, along with localized, topical products like vaginal estrogen creams, which can help reduce vaginal dryness and pain during sexual intercourse.
2. Try a topical sexual enhancement product.
Another option is to use products made to enhance intimacy for women — similar to what Viagra does for men but made specifically for women. These products are vasodilators that encourage blood flow to the genitals and enhance sensitivity for more intense orgasms.
3. Practice sexual activity more often.
Despite common misconceptions, research shows that decreased sexual activity is not directly linked to increased susceptibility to painful sex. How often you want to have sex as you age is a personal choice. For those wanting to engage in sexual activity more frequently, there may be benefits of sex after 40 that apply to more than just penetrative sex. Kissing, caressing, and massage are all forms of sexual activity that can boost your libido. In fact, researchers also found that arousal and oral sex are two protective factors that actually lower the risk of painful sex.(9)
4. Use lubricant.
Using over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal lubrication products can make sex more physically comfortable for women at any age. While women using HRT can also benefit from using lubricant, these products may also be a good fit for menopausal or postmenopausal women experiencing vaginal dryness who cannot or do not wish to use HRT.
The best lubricant for sex after menopause is one that reduces vaginal dryness without causing irritation. There are different types of lubricants, including those made with water, silicone, plant oils, and more. Some products contain ingredients that may cause genital irritation or upset the vagina’s natural pH balance. So using a fragrance-free, water-based lubricant during sexual activity is recommended.(10)
5. Explore new sex ideas.
Keep it interesting; try something new. Adding a little variety to your sex life may jumpstart libido. Again, this doesn’t have to be exclusive to penetrative sex. Using sex toys or engaging in mutual masturbation with a partner are alternate ideas that can be fun to explore and may be less physically painful.
6. Consult a doctor and seek help.
Remember that there are other potential causes of sexual problems that may be unrelated to aging or menopause. Certain health conditions like endometriosis, bacterial infections, or chronic pain conditions can also cause painful sex.(11) Similarly, depression, certain medications, or substance use can impact sex drive. Talk to your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying causes of sexual health problems.
How to Enhance Sex After 40: Treatment Options
The good news is that painful sex can be managed throughout perimenopause and menopause. With appropriate treatment, you can enhance your sexual health, improve your quality of life, and boost your sex life after 40.
Depending on the cause, treatment suggestions for painful sex or low libido may include HRT or the use of sexual lubricant. Implementing stress reduction techniques, lifestyle changes, or receiving support from a partner may also help increase sexual desire. Because of the complexity of women’s anatomy, some women may need a combination of treatments before they can experience sex pain-free.
A decline in women’s sex drive after 40 isn’t inevitable. Whether symptoms are related to stress, menopause, or natural aging, treating women’s sexual health holistically can help women enjoy sex throughout their menopausal and postmenopausal years. There is no reason you can’t have a wholly satisfying sex life after 40 and well into your 50s, 60s, and beyond.
