As a private sexual health clinic in London, a surprising question we get asked about a lot revolves around the concept of sex-changing as we age. Indeed, this is something that many people experience throughout their lives – however, it can come as quite a shock the first time you begin to notice that your sexual preferences are changing. With this in mind, we have summarised a few key things you should know about how sex changes with age as follows; hopefully, this will help give you a little more insight into this somewhat bemusing topic.
Why Does Sex Change with Age?
Why does sex change with age? There are numerous potential causes for sex changing with age. Still, perhaps the two most common reasons are as follows:
- Hormones can play a very significant impact on your sex drive and determination overall. It’s often because many people have the most vital sex drive around the age of twenty; however, this may also be coupled with inexperience, making sexual encounters more awkward initially.
- As we get older, we naturally become a little less enthusiastic about physical activity, especially once we begin reaching our golden years (or getting closer). As such, a second contributing factor for why sex changes with age can sometimes be as simple as you’re just not feeling fit enough for the exertion.
These are just two of the most common reasons sex changes with age, but that doesn’t mean you need to rule out sex entirely. Instead, understanding how sex changes with age (and how you can work with this) may help you continue to enjoy a vibrant sex life overall.
How Sex Changes with Age
So, we’ve clarified at this point that the two most common reasons for sex to change with age include physical fitness and hormone changes – but how does this change sex as we get older?
There are a few key ways by which sex can change with age, and we have outlined a couple of these as follows. Understanding these may help you enjoy a fulfilling and varied sex life going forwards, even if things might be a little different than they used to be.
One important thing to remember is that regardless of age ensuring safe sex and avoiding STIs is essential. If you are concerned you have symptoms of an STI or STD contact your GP and advice and treatment.
#1 Making Love is a Calmer Experience
Making love can be an incredibly passionate and heated experience when we’re young and virile. However, as we get older, many of us begin changing from this norm instead of enjoying time with our partners that’s more restrained, calm and controlled overall.
This change is usually the result of slightly reduced physical fitness. Still, it’s not something that necessarily needs to hold you back from enjoying time with your partner – you might just need to take things a little slower to ensure that neither of you gets overly exhausted or strained.
#2 It May Take Longer to Get in the Mood
Another change that you’ll likely experience as you get older is that it takes a little longer to get in the mood. However, you shouldn’t ever take this as evidence that you or your partner are no longer physically attracted to one another; instead, it’s usually a simple result of hormone changes.
For women, hormone changes may mean that it takes longer to get aroused and lubricated; trying to rush sex when she’s not ready can lead to pain and discomfort, so the importance of avoiding this cannot be stressed highly enough. Meanwhile, it may take a little more encouragement for men to get and maintain an erection, but there’s nothing wrong with that. However, taking things slow with more foreplay is often enough to ensure that this change doesn’t significantly impact your sex life.
#3 There’s Less to be Awkward About
Growing older and wiser isn’t all bad. As we get more mature, you may notice that you feel less awkward about sex (especially when sharing relations with a long-term partner). Indeed, your experience can play a significant role in making love and sharing time. As such, this can also significantly influence how you enjoy lovemaking.
Final Thoughts
We all have unique sexual preferences, and as a private sexual health clinic in London, we’re firm believers that understanding this is healthy. However, it’s also crucial to understand your body and how your sexual preferences may change and evolve with time.
As such, with this in mind, Broadgate GP are on hand to help if you have any further questions about how sex changes with age. Contact our great team today for more information.
