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Context-dependent sexual changes during women's midlife transitions.

Amber Watts1, Sarah Jen2

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA.

Journal of Women & Aging
|March 30, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Midlife women experience dynamic sexual changes influenced by social roles and body image. Addressing sexual health and societal stereotypes is crucial for well-being.

Keywords:
Body imagesexual healthcaresexuality

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Women's Health

Background:

  • Midlife is a transitional period for women, impacting physiological, social, and sexual experiences.
  • Existing research on midlife women's sexuality often overlooks social, psychological, and relational factors, focusing primarily on physiological changes.
  • Women's sexuality is recognized as dynamic and context-dependent, necessitating a holistic understanding of midlife experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the diverse sexual experiences of midlife women within their life contexts.
  • To investigate perceptions and interpretations of sexual changes and experiences during midlife.
  • To understand the influence of social roles, identities, relationships, and body image on midlife sexuality.

Main Methods:

  • Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 women aged 39-57.
  • Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed to analyze the qualitative data.
  • The study focused on participants' perceptions of sexual engagement, unwanted sexual experiences, body image, and sexual healthcare.

Main Results:

  • Participants reported changes in sexual desire and frequency, influenced by social roles, relationships, and sexual health.
  • A significant theme involved women contrasting their body image with societal perceptions of attractiveness.
  • Negative experiences with sexual healthcare led to distrust in healthcare systems.
  • Experiences highlighted sexual fluidity and context-dependence, challenging stereotypes about midlife sexuality.

Conclusions:

  • Midlife women's sexual experiences are diverse and context-dependent, influenced by a complex interplay of factors.
  • Challenging societal expectations regarding sexuality and body image through counternarratives is essential.
  • Psychoeducational interventions are needed to improve sexual health and education for women in midlife.