Similar to all other facets of human health, there has been extensive scientific investigation on your sex drive. As with all other facets of human health, the response provided by specialists to inquiries concerning sexual desire is, It’s complicated.
A common misconception that is at least partially untrue is that a woman’s libido increases in her 30s and 40s, whereas a man’s peaks while he is younger. (This is your manual for having better sex at any age.)
What then accounts for the increase in sex that women in this age range encounter? According to University of Texas research, women in their 30s may feel more at ease with their bodies and with sex drive, and the men they slept with may be better able to please them. (That is only one theory out of several.)
For men, testosterone levels are a significant factor in libido. (They also assist women.) Indeed, as a man ages, T does tend to decrease gradually. However, studies reveal that men generally have more let’s do it! inclinations than women do, and these cravings don’t disappear completely when a man leaves his teens.
Susan Davis, PhD, director of Monash University’s Women’s Health Study Program in Australia, says there’s no proof a woman’s libido heats up during her 30s, despite some studies showing women between the ages of 27 and 45 tend to have more sex drive than their younger selves. (Seeking for even more straightforward advice? Learn about Prevention. When you subscribe now, you’ll receive two gifts for free.)
Therefore, contrary to popular belief, men’s and women’s libidos aren’t misaligned.
Here are a few more sex drive-related myths.
According to Herbenick and Davis, having a happy relationship and getting along with your spouse are associated with a greater desire for sex. It should come as no surprise, but according to Davis, having a new sexual partner is also linked to increased sex drive. According to all of this, having fun in the sack with someone you enjoy spending time with and your relationship status determine how interested you are in having sex.
Oysters make you horny.
- Director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute Debra Herbenick, PhD, says no proof eating foods marketed as aphrodisiacs increases libido. It’s not because of the mollusks that going out for a romantic seafood supper with your significant other could result in some fun in the bedroom afterward.
Birth control will kill your sex drive.
- According to Davis, some women may notice a decrease in their desire for sex when using birth control. On the other hand, studies published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine indicate that some women may feel an increase in desire when using hormonal contraception. The JSM study’s authors stated that birth control has a “mixed” impact on a woman’s desire for sex.
After menopause, a woman’s libido plummets.
- Again, a study from Rutgers Medical School shows that although some women do experience a decline in libido after menopause, 50% of post-menopausal women report no change in sex drive from their pre-menopausal counterparts. (See how the menopause affects your vagina.)
Your libido must be low if you’re not into sexual activity.
- According to Herbenick and Davis, having a happy relationship and getting along with your spouse are associated with a greater desire for sex drive. It should come as no surprise, but according to Davis, having a new sexual partner is also linked to increased sex drive. According to all of this, having fun in the sack with someone you enjoy spending time with and your relationship status determine how interested you are in having sex.
Want to increase your libido?
- According to Davis, leading a healthy lifestyle is linked to a strong sex desire in addition to discovering a novel and fascinating companion. Herbenick concurs, adding that getting enough sleep and exercising regularly tend to encourage more enthusiasm for sex. Additionally, a Mediterranean diet and yoga have each, independently, been linked with positive sexual function, including sexual desire.
