Question

Describe the biological changes in sexuality that occur during middle age, and evaluate stereotypes about midlife sexuality based on this information. Approach this assignment by addressing the changes characteristic of men and women. What areas overlap? Which gender has more stereotypes related to them, and why?

Answer 1

• A biological change in women that occurs during middle age is menopause. During menopause, a woman’s menstrual period stops and her estrogen levels drop creating symptoms like hot flashes, nausea, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat. A woman has lost her fertility once menopause begins.
• Men also experience biological changes in sexuality during middle age. Unfortunately, it is nothing compared to the drop in estrogen in women. A decline in the hormone testosterone drops one percent a year and sperm count also slowly declines. Men do not lose their fertility in middle age.
• Ultimately, men’s testosterone levels decline so much that their sexual drive decreases and experience erectile dysfunction.
• Stereotypes about midlife sexuality include that sexual activity does not happen in this period of life. However, sexual activity occurs less frequently than in early adulthood but it does happen. A study by Brim in 1999, claims that 88% of women in their fifties living with a partner have been sexually active in the last six months and 37% who are neither married or living with a partner had sex in the last six months.