The myth: women over 40 no longer feel like having sex

Although everything doesn't suddenly change after 40, the beginning of the new decade of life marks the transition for most women, when their hormone balance changes: The so-called menopause sets in. When exactly the hormone level drops is different for every woman and for most women it is more of an issue from their mid-40s onwards. However, the purely physical changes that take place are always the same - and actually have an effect on female sexuality after 40. But far less than has long been assumed: the idea that women stop having sex after 40 and no longer feel like it is clearly a myth.

How a woman's body changes after 40

In general, we should keep one thing in mind when it comes to sex life after 40: The menopause doesn't have to mean an abrupt end to a fulfilling sex life - quite the opposite, as good sex can actually help women suffer far less from the physical changes during this time! When hormone levels start to drop at around 40, this sometimes means that some - but by no means all - women feel less desire as a result. It can also take longer than before to become aroused. Associated factors such as vaginal dryness are new and unpleasant for many women, but in most cases they are very easy to remedy: Either take more time for this with your partner or simply rely on a little more lubricant than before. In any case, always talk to your partner about any concerns you may have.

However, hormonal changes after the age of 40 are also accompanied by a reduction in both the quantity and quality of eggs produced: Fertility declines and the onset of the menopause becomes increasingly likely. A woman who wants to get pregnant again after 40 is therefore usually forced to structure her sex life according to her cycle. However, as eroticism and romance can all too quickly fall by the wayside with such an orientation towards the fertility calendar, it is important to give them appropriate space beyond the fertile days. Otherwise, sex will become increasingly linked to deadlines and pressure to succeed - and this can put a lot of strain on a relationship in the long term and is a real mood killer.

Experience meets experimentation: this is why sex gets better for many women

However, the biggest change in sex life after 40 is less physical than psychological: many women now know more confidently how to demand what really gives them pleasure. The sexual curiosity of the teenage years and also in the 20s is usually accompanied by insecurities. Once these have been overcome, the focus for many women in their 30s is on their job, their relationship and, above all, family planning. Here, too, there is little room for a fulfilling sexuality. From the age of 40, these disruptive factors, which can make it difficult for women in particular to let go during sex and enjoy the moment, give way. More peace of mind and, above all, increased self-confidence ensure that your sex life can become far more exciting from the age of 40.

Many women now feel more comfortable in their lives and in their own bodies than they did when they were younger. You also know your body well enough now to know what you enjoy and how best to climax. As foreplay is particularly important for many women in order to be able to climax, your knowledge and self-confidence often prove to be particularly practical: you can insist on taking more time and perhaps experimenting more. In short, the combination of experience, time and experimentation means that for many women, sex life after 40 not only means more variety in bed, but also better orgasms than ever before. Because the more relaxed a woman is, the easier it is for her to climax. You also benefit from your partner's experience in your sex life after 40: his hormone balance also changes, which is why he can hold out longer and the lovemaking can last longer than ever before.