The Truth About Women's Sexuality

There’s a line in a song I wrote as a theme song called “Red Hot Mama” for the Red Hot Mama’s menopause organization – “Just because I’m in the ‘Pause doesn’t mean I’m dead.” Yes, a number of studies show that sexual activity is alive and well as women age. But here is the whole truth about women’s sexuality.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project provided a baseline of information on women’s sexuality everyone should know.

In that 2007 survey of 1,500 women aged 57 to 85, sexual activity was shown to decline as age increases. Below is the sexual activity level in the past year among women who had a partner:

62 percent among those aged 57 to 64 years
39 percent among those aged 64 to 74 years
17 percent among those aged 75 to 85 years

Of course, not everyone has a partner or spouse, but if they did have a partner and they were sexually active, no matter the age group:

50 percent were active 2-3 times per month
23 percent of the oldest group was active at least once per week

The study also showed that about half of both men and women have at least one bothersome sexual problem. For women, the most common were:

43 percent had low desire
39 percent had poor vaginal lubrication
34 percent were unable to have an orgasm

So now you know that sex can decline with age and sexual problems can increase with age. But here is what I want you realize that can change your life: only 22 percent of women over the age of 50 have had a discussion with a physician about this problem. That’s only 1 in 5. The rest of you aren’t getting the help you need.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Nyack C.

12:31PM PST on Feb 9, 2012

Lovely photo- we all know a womans sexuality is something between a man and a woman.

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Chief M.

6:21PM PST on Feb 1, 2012

thanks

Joanne M.

6:46PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

Thanks for the info!

Nancy B.

6:22PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

I think women are more sensitive as they get older because they are more critical of their bodies than men are. I also believe that our sexual identity is tied in with our culture and the time we grew up. Back in the day, sex was a duty. Good women didn't necessary enjoy sex; that was for the bad girls. As a result, there was and is a lot of guilt for women who do enjoy sex. Once they lose their partner; they also have no one that they trust. The one good thing I see is we did have the 60's and for those of us who went to college, our views changed, and we realized the biggest sex organ was between the ears.

Faith B.

12:48PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

Thank you for this article

SL L.

10:42AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

thanks Renae; it is true ... if you look good, you feel good and you act good.

I am NOT superficial believe me, but this whole society places way too much emphasis upon physical appearance over brain power.

It is sad and it is evident in our children as well. The brainy kids are taunted as nerds and the popular kids are attractive but sometimes shallow.

I personally believe you are only sexy if your brain tells you that you are sexy. Brain power is sexy and it is all from the brain that drives us......

Kristina C.

10:40AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

Thank for the interesting average. I think no one can analyze 'women's sexuality' as a generatility. Every person male or female is different and often it also depends on the partner we have.

Please sign my petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/give-a-pitbull-a-chance

Renae T.

10:05AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

lol SL, good for you and I agree. If you feel better about yourself everything else falls into place. Thanks.

Lauren F.

8:49AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

interesting. thanks for the article.

Ragavan M.

8:17AM PST on Jan 30, 2012