How Important Is Sex For Women Over 40? Study Reveals The Answer

People tend to assume the worst about aging. Low energy, low libido, and a total lack of sex drive are often associated with growing older. Despite common societal myths, a study from The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) proves that midlife and beyond doesn't have to be sexless—and many women don't want it to be. 

Many studies have shown that the way women value sex is highly associated with sexual function. Vaginal dryness, which can lead to painful sex, and a decrease of estrogen levels, which can decrease libido, are two common menopause symptoms that have led to this belief that women in midlife simply don't want sex. And it's simply not true.

"In contrast to prior literature reporting that the importance of sex decreases as women move through midlife, we found that, for a quarter of women, sex remains highly important to them throughout midlife," study author Holly Thomas, M.D., M.S., said in a news release. Moreover, women who saw sex as important to them tended to have higher sexual satisfaction as well.

"Studies like these provide valuable insights to health care providers who may otherwise dismiss a woman's waning sexual desire as a natural part of aging," says NAMS medical director Stephanie Faubion, M.D., MBA. "Often there are other treatable reasons, such as vaginal dryness or depression, as to why a woman's interest in sex may have decreased."