Differences in libido between the two sexes

The differences between men and women are undeniable: they are visible, and are even part of the anatomy itself. The same goes for the ways of living the sex: the forms of stimulation, of the place of sex in the mind, of the urge to masturbate, of wishes and sexual fantasies…

The libido It tends to be experienced, therefore, differently according to the sex of each person.

Despite this, what is sought is harmony and complicity between the couple when having sexual relations. But what difficulty in the face of such differences. However, if we stop to know how the sexual response of both men and women changes throughout their respective lives, our expectations will be more realistic at the time of the relationship.

Sexual response throughout life, according to sex

Men

17 - 18 years

At 17 or 18 years old, reach the peak of their sexuality. Sex invades his thoughts, reaching four to eight high-intensity orgasms a day. The refractory period exclusive to men (time in which they will not be able to have an orgasm, after having ejaculated previously), it is very short, from a few seconds to a minute. Thereafter, your sexual ability very slowly declines.

20 - 30 years

Between your late 20s and early 30s, your sexual thoughts and libido change, but you continue to respond easily to sexual stimuli. They need fewer orgasms, they masturbate less, the rigidity of your erections begins to decrease and the refractory period lengthens.

40 - 49 years

From the age of 40, important changes begin to be noticed. Erotic thoughts and fantasies continue to decrease, they need more stimulation to achieve an erection (which will be slower) and the refractory period continues to increase.

50 years and older

At 50 the orgasmic need of the man is much less, with two climaxes a week they have enough, they will be less intense and with a weak ejaculation. During the 60's, insecurity, frustration and anxiety; since it is difficult to accept that his sex life is changing. However, this can be viewed as a positive, thinking that the urge to ejaculate is over and having more time for imagination and tenderness.

Women

Adolescence

During the adolescenceshow less interest in sexuality than men. Little by little your sensitivity increases.

35 - 45 years

Between 35 and 40 years reach the peak of their sexuality and increase the speed and intensity of arousal. After 45, the sexual capacity of women begins to decrease gradually, but more slowly than in the case of men. Another important difference compared to men is that age does not affect their orgasmic capacity.

From the age of 60

At 60 and past menopause, it does not have to decrease sexual desire, although orgasmic intensity decreases.

After 65 years, women gradually worry less about sex, but continue to use the self-satisfaction without having to depend on the desire and ability of your partner.

What to do to enjoy a healthy sexuality throughout life?

To try to reduce these discrepancies and prevent them from affecting the sexual life of the couple, it is advisable to "stay active". Avoid monotony in the relationship, worries (work, economic, marital) that generate stress, stay physically and mentally fit, eat a healthy diet, avoid alcohol and other types of toxic substances.

That means, without going any further, "living together" at all levels and taking into account the different way in which the couple experiences well-being.

To find out more about how improve libido, I recommend that you read the following post:

• "How can we improve our sexual desire?"

Bibliographic references:

• De Béjar, S. (2003). It's the teu sexe!. Barcelona: Butxaca 62.