Learn more. Sex has health benefits such as boosting your immune system, lowering blood pressure and burning calories. The truth is, rather than feel sexually stalled, there is a large body of research showing that a lot of action is going on between the sheets among those in their 50s and older. When it comes to those in their 50s, a separate study found that up to 91 percent of men and 86 percent of women are sexually active.
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If you're not the kind of woman who regularly examines herself south of the border, you might not realize that, just like the rest of your body, your vagina is getting older. It's not that your vagina is celebrating your exact birthday. After all, "your body doesn't know that the calendar is changing," says Alyssa Dweck , MD, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and a practicing gynecologist in Westchester County. But genitals undoubtedly change as time goes on, and knowing these changes are totally normal—and that the unpleasant ones can often be managed—at least offers a little comfort. Of course, every woman—and every vagina—is different. Everyone's timing for milestones like pregnancy or menopause differ, even among sisters. In general, though, here's what you can expect.
There's a lot going on between the sheets
Just as everything changes with age, your vagina does, too. Sex, contraception use, pregnancy, and birth are all factors that can impact your vagina during your 20s. Although more and more people are waiting until their 30s to have a child, scientific literature states that, if based on optimal fertility and overall health outcomes, yours 20s may be the better time to conceive. Prior to childbirth, the pelvic floor is at its prime. Sometimes, pelvic floor muscles may be too tight and strong during this time, causing painful intercourse or difficulty with tampon insertion. How are things between the sheets during this decade? She also recommends a lubricant , like Good Clean Love Almost Naked Lubricant to help with painful tampon insertion and sexual intercourse. If your partner uses a condom, you should also avoid petroleum-based lubricants. Your vagina is no exception. For the first time ever, American women in their 30s have become the group with the highest birth rate.
At a cocktail party at my home a few months ago, I started chatting with a few middle-aged women, including a few I barely knew. But this time, it bypassed hot flashes and went right to sex. About half of menopausal women suffer from vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.