Middle-Aged Sex Can Be Quite a Blast, Says New Study

Reaching the age of 40 is often viewed as the beginning of a downhill trek to old age. The onset of illness and the natural aging of the human body take their toll, hindering our ability to participate in a lot of physical activities, including sex. The common perception is that, as we age, sex becomes less enjoyable, less frequent and less important.

The truth, however, is far from that. In fact, according to a new study by Trojan and Sex Information and Education Council of Canada, people between the ages of 40 and 59 are actually having some of the best sex of their lives. The study asked 2,400 Canadians, men and women, to provide detailed information about their sexual health, including their attitudes and behaviors, as well as details about their pleasure and happiness.

Let’s Talk About Sex

The most unexpected discovery in this survey was that sexual pleasure, contrary to what has always been assumed, does not decrease as we age. Regardless of what age group was interviewed, 65% of those questioned said that their last sexual encounter was satisfying. The study also revealed that an overwhelming majority of the population interviewed considered their current relationship to be satisfying and that their sexual health was very good or excellent.

The frequency of sexual encounters was another angle the survey covered, and the revelations were quite surprising. Forty percent of married or cohabiting couples who participated in the study indicated that they had sexual encounters at least once or more a week. Single respondents also indicated that they were having sex frequently, and both groups stated that they were very happy or happy with the sexual part of their lives.

According to researcher Dr. Robin Milhausen of the University of Guelph, “There is a public perception that as we age, sex becomes less important, less enjoyable and less frequent.” She went on to state that the findings indicated that the majority of middle-aged Canadians were leading health, active and satisfying sexual lives.

Communication Skills

The study reported that married couples and single people had a relatively equal amount of satisfaction with their sexual lives and that being emotionally satisfied in your relationship equaled the highest ratings of pleasure. In fact, according to the study, married men were reporting their sexual encounters to be more satisfying than single men, and it seemed that the key to this was communication.

The research indicated that people who were open and honest in communicating with their partners their likes and dislikes as regards their sexual life were far happy than those who did not. Despite stereotypes of being non-communicative, this correlation between communication and sexual satisfaction held true for both men and women.

The research also indicated that at least half of Canadians are not open and honest with their partners about their sexual preferences. Communication between the sexes on any subject, but especially about sexual topics, can be difficult, but the data collected backs up the fact that communication is indeed the key to having a satisfying sexual life for both men and women.

An Adventurous Spirit

Midlife men and women are also more interested in and open to experimentation and being adventurous in their sex lives, at least according to the study. Over half of the men and women who participated in the survey indicated when asked that they would be interested in trying new things and experimenting with the goal of enhancing their pleasure during sex, and this was more interest than they would have had a decade ago. Twenty-two percent of the men interviewed, and 26% of the women between the ages of 55 and 59 said that they would use or are using lubricants to increase their comfort and pleasure during sexual intercourse, and 40% of women stated that they were using sexual aids such as vibrators to improve the sexual experience.

Don’t Forget the Afterglow

The study also touched on what happens before and after sex and how that can positively affect the entire experience. Foreplay is still crucial to the overall sexual experience for those who are middle-aged, and an overwhelming majority of those responding indicating that being affectionate with each other, including kissing and cuddling, is a contributing factor to their overall satisfaction. Single respondents stated that they were even trying to make foreplay last longer to prolong the pleasure.
Traditionally, touching after sex is favored more by women than men, but the study indicated that both genders benefit from and enjoy physical contact post-sex. Women were profoundly affected by this period of physical contact, with over 70% rating their pleasure level higher when there was at least six to ten minutes of post-sex affectionate behavior.

Conclusion

Middle-aged does not mean that life is drawing to a close, especially when it comes to having a satisfying sex life. As research has indicated, people over 40 are enjoying sex, talking about sex and are more willing to try new things and be adventurous than ever before.

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