Aging in women

Whether or not aging directly affects women’s sexual functioning during menopause is another area of controversy. However, many studies including Hayes and Dennerstein’s critical review, have demonstrated that aging has a powerful impact on sexual function and dysfunction in women, specifically in the areas of desire, sexual interest, and frequency of orgasm.^[1][16] In addition, Dennerstien and colleagues found that the primary predictor of sexual response throughout menopause is prior sexual functioning.^[1] This means that it is important to understand how the physiological changes in men and women can affect their sexual desire.^[16] Despite the seemingly negative impact that menopause can have on sexuality and sexual functioning, sexual confidence and wellbeing can improve with age and menopausal status.^[1] Furthermore, the impact that a relationship status can have on quality of life is often underestimated.

Testosterones, along with its metabolite, dihydrotesosterone, are extremely important to normal sexual functioning in men and women. Dihydrotestosterone is the most prevalent androgen in both men and women.^[16] Testosterone levels in women at age 60 are, on average, about half of what they were before women were 40. Although this decline is gradual for most women, those who’ve undergone bilateral oophorectomy experience a sudden drop in testosterone levels; this is because the ovaries produce 40% of the body’s circulating testosterone.^[16] Sexual desire has been related to three separate components- drive, beliefs and values, and motivation.^[16] Particularly in postmenopausal women, drive fades and is not longer the initial step in a woman's sexual response (if it ever was).