EVER wondered if your libido is 'normal' for your age?
It's a subject that still seems (unnecessarily) taboo, leaving thousands of women across the nation too embarrassed to speak to their friends or health professionals.
Now, a brand new study has revealed the real age a woman hits her sexual peak, and when she can expect to enjoy sex the most.
Before we dive into the numbers, let's get the basic biology cleared up.
Sex drive is massively influenced by hormones - something you may typically only associate with the terrifying teenage years of puberty.
That's why your libido can fluctuate so much over the years, as your body reacts to new and unexpected life changes and situations.
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Alyssa Dweck, MD, a gynaecologist with Well by Messer, told Women's Health that the key hormones affecting your sex drive are testosterone and oestrogen.
Some people mistakenly think only men create testosterone, but it's actually vital for women's health too.
"It plays a role in energy, mood, muscle tone, and overall sense of well-being, in addition to libido," says Dweck, adding that the levels of testosterone in women's bodies begins to decline in their 30's.
Meanwhile oestrogen keeps going strong, only beginning to dip in a woman's 40's.
It then drops dramatically when they hit their 50's, which is when most are expected to go through menopause.
In a perfect world this would be a simple and by the book timeline for everyone, but each person is unique and libido worries can affect anyone at various points of their life.
Revealing the real age
So, just when do you hit the climax of your sexual prime?
While many people might assume it happens in your 20's, the study has revealed it's actually your 30's that see a woman hit her peak libido and maximum sexual enjoyment.
"By this point, many women know their bodies better, feel more sexually confident, and are more comfortable asking for what they want," says Dweck.
By the 30's, most women have figured out what they do and don't like in the bedroom (or elsewhere!) and are confident enough to voice these preferences to their sexual partners.
This understanding of their sexual identity is then bolstered by the fact they don't face as many libido-lowering stress factors.
Which generation is having the most sex?
A new report has lifted the lid on bedroom antics.
The research, conducted by experts at Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, revealed the average number of times people of different generations have sex per month.
- Gen Z - three times a month
- Millennials - five times a month
- Gen X - five times a month
- Boomers - three times a month
Things like body hangups, lack of confidence or stress about their life and relationships can all affect hormone levels, and thankfully most of these issues are usually wrapped up by your 30's (although, again, there's no one rule for all).
And the sparks really start flying as women in their 30's champion their sexual liberation, bringing sex toys into the bedroom and experimenting with new styles and moves.
All of these factors combined contribute to the 30's being the best years for a woman to experience amazing, mind-blowing sex.
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So if you're in your 30's, take this as motivation to grab life by the... you-know-whats, and ensure you're making the most of your sexual prime.
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