A woman’s sex drive typically increases from the age of 27 to peak between 45 and 52.
And there are loads of ways to keep things hot in the bedroom and make sure age is only a number.
Sexpert Kate Taylor says: “There is always a way to make your sex life sizzle. Follow my guide and get ready to become satisfied underneath the duvet, regardless of your digits.”
NIKKI WATKINS asked Kate for the low-down on how to make Valentine’s Day sexy in any decade of life.
20s
INSIDE STORY: Your fertility is at its peak in your twenties. That is great if you want to start a family early but not so exciting if you would rather have fun for now.
Talk to your local family planning clinic about the contraception that will suit your lifestyle. A short-term contraceptive injection provided by the NHS, such as Depo-Provera, could be a good choice if you hope to start a family soon.
A five-year “fit and forget” option such as the Mirena coil might suit you better if you are not ready for motherhood.
TOP TURN-ON: Women in their twenties are instinctively sexually competitive and you will enjoy showing off your best moves to new partners. But don’t forget that great sex is a two-way street.
So make sure your partner shows you what THEY bring to the bedroom too.
If you don’t yet know what works for you sexually, try a book like Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life, by Emily Nagoski (£10.49, Scribe UK).
That will help you discover the workings of your sexuality.
TOP TURN-OFF: Body-confidence can be fragile for twenty-somethings. Seeking validation from online sources – putting selfies on social media, for instance – is dangerous to your self-esteem.
Instead of taking sexy photos for Instagram or even a current partner, keep them for yourself. Once a week, scroll through the pictures and focus on the positives, learning to love how you look.
Inner confidence is the sexiest thing you can bring to the bedroom and will give your mental health a boost.
TIP: Now is the time to experiment. If you feel daring, visit a safe swinging club such as Killing Kittens, which creates parties focused on the pursuit of female pleasure.
At these events, you can play with like-minded lovers and discover what truly turns you on.
30s
INSIDE STORY: Your 30s can often be a sudden rush of responsibility that sends your sex life off for an early night.
The Office For National Statistics found the average age of a first-time mum is 28, meaning your 30s are a blur of toddlers and tantrums – leaving most mums feeling exhausted by bedtime.
Even women without kids will likely have to balance a hectic work schedule with home life, causing stress that can dampen libido.
Many people at this time in their life have found, or may soon find, a steady relationship in which to experiment sexually and finally discover what you love in bed – when you find the time to finally get back in the mood.
TOP TURN-ON: A steady relationship sounds sexually dull but it’s the perfect setting in which to practise new positions and play with toys.
Within a trusting relationship, you can open up about your secret fantasies and bring them to life. Talk to your partner about sex because with great communication, you can get through any sexual drought or downtime.
TOP TURN-OFF: If you’ve got young children or a busy lifestyle, it’s easy to end the day dreaming only of silence and sleep.If your partner then bursts into the bedroom hoping for some beneath-the-sheets action, you’re going to feel guilty and resentful.
So experiment with scheduling sex – agree on certain nights when you’ll make an effort to get together, giving you time to get in the mood.
TIP: Women take an average of six minutes longer to orgasm than men, so you might need to get a headstart on your partner.
Set the scene earlier in the day to practise “edging” – bringing yourself nearly to climax.
When you see your man, ensure he matches his pace to yours by telling him how close you are to climaxing, so you can both hit the finishing line together.
40s
INSIDE STORY: Even though most women start the menopause aged 51, many begin to feel it looming on the horizon in their mid-forties, a time known as the peri-menopause.
Symptoms include mood swings, tiredness, irregular periods and weight gain.
All can feel like a cold shower to your libido. Stress, work pressures and caring for children and relatives can also shove your sex life on to the back burner, or lead you or your partner to seek excitement elsewhere.
This might be why the average age in the UK to get divorced is 45 for men and 43 for women.
To keep the fires burning at home, book babysitters as often as you can if you have kids, and keep up the quickies.
Improve your peri-menopause symptoms by talking to your GP about HRT or natural hormonal boosts.
The closeness of dance and touch will boost your happy hormones and sex drive
TOP TURN-ON: When you are in the mood, your inner-confidence starts to shine in your forties, so it’s a great time to take control and play with power-roles in bed.
A simple silk scarf can turn your bedroom into a bondage boudoir. Don’t use this as an opportunity to release 20 years of marital tension – start gently.
You could exploit your inner confidence by getting into burlesque too. This is a fun, sexy striptease that lets you embrace your sassy side and is a great stress-busting workout.
TOP TURN-OFF: A night on the sofa watching TV never got anyone in the mood, even if it’s a Poldark box set.
Shared laughter, new activities and physical touch are what boost couples’ beta-endorphins – the body’s most powerful love chemicals.
Seek out activities like a home gym or even have a laugh playing Twister. A dance class could be a hilarious way of rebuilding your closeness and improving your fitness. After all, a million Strictly love affairs can’t be wrong.
Look for ballroom or Ceroc groups in your area, and dance yourselves back to the bedroom.
The closeness of dance and touch will boost your happy hormones and sex drive.
TIP: Try to take some time away with your other half.
Just looking forward to a shared experience can bring you closer as a couple, so think about booking that holiday now – a dirty weekend works wonders if you’re strapped for time and cash.
50s +
INSIDE STORY: This can be the steamiest chapter in your life yet.
People aged 50 to 70 are now having so much fun, but unfortunately, sexually transmitted diseases are skyrocketing in this age group.
If you’re enjoying a new partner, remember that you’ll still need contraception. You might not be concerned about pregnancy now, but you need to avoid STDs.
The good news is condom technology is racing ahead. New designs like HEX by Lelo (from £8.90, Amazon) are gossamer-thin and incredibly stimulating.
Use condoms every time you have sex, until you have both been given a clean bill of sexual health at your local GUM clinic.
TOP TURN-ON: Great sex over 50 is all about foreplay.
A drop in oestrogen after menopause can thin the vaginal walls and reduce your natural lubrication, so try one of the sexiest new lubes like Durex Intense Orgasmic Gel ( £7.99, durex.co.uk) that creates tingles downstairs, heightening your sensitivity.
Great sex over 50 is all about foreplay
If you experience severe dryness, discomfort during sex or even a change in how often you need to go to the loo, see your GP. Something as simple as an Oestrogen Gel applied topically, can transform your post-menopausal sex life.
TOP TURN-OFF: Men’s testosterone can start to decline over 50, making it more difficult to maintain an erection.
If this happens to your partner, he can buy medication over the counter that can help, or even chat to his GP.
There are more imaginative ways to perk up your sex life. You could try a penis ring (assorted available from lovehoney.co.uk, from £3.50) which slows blood-flow away from the nether regions and can get things back on firmer ground.
Medications can also cause you both to lose your sex drive, as many medicines interfere with either sexual function, or desire.
If you’ve noticed a slump after starting blood-pressure meds, or anti-depressants, ask your doctor if it might be affecting your libido.
TIP: Make the most of your empty nest or early retirement, and discover afternoon delight.
Around 3pm is said to be the perfect time to have sex, as women’s and men’s body clocks are in sync – women’s cortisol levels rise, making them more alert and energetic, while men produce oestrogen which makes them emotionally present.
Daily exercise, such as taking a walk together, is also known to alleviate depression and boost blood-flow to all areas.
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