According to Psychology Today, there are four components of sexuality that may be challenged at midlife.

Americans are not short on their understanding of the importance of our sexual lives. For more than 40 years the phrase “sex sells” has become a household phrase BUT the reason for that is more important than you might have ever considered. Sexual activity is a basic human need and function beyond the desire to pro-create; both as a matter of self expression (“I care about you”) and a matter of needing to have our feelings reflected back to us (“You care about me”).

Our sexual physiology, is affected most by two hormones; estrogen and testosterone, which tend to decrease during midlife, in both women and men. As a result of these hormone decreases, the most common symptoms we experience are a decreased libido (desire) and changes in sexual response. While it is common for people to experience changes in sexuality during the middle years, it may not happen to both partners at the same time, further complicating the issue.

The 4 components of your sexuality that may be challenged at midlife are:

• Self-perception: At midlife, it is common to experience changes in weight, fitness, appearance and mood, causing us to feel less desirable and therefore less interested in sex. The challenge is to do what is reasonable to improve health and appearance, and then work to embrace and accept ourselves as we enter this new phase of life.
• Sex (gender) role behavior: Many times in midlife partners fall out of sync with one another. Women at midlife experience shifts in their psyches and often have a shift in priorities. Commonly, women begin to focus on their own needs and self-care, and have more time to devote to creative endeavors. They often have a change in career and focus. Men are more likely to slow down at work and are looking to balance their lives with more leisure. This impacts behaviors, including sexual behaviors, and can require negotiation of the relationship.
• Sexual desire (libido): Loss of libido is common in women as they go through peri-menopause into menopause. Typically, women in this life stage don’t think about sex, don’t initiate, and don’t care that they don’t care! They are surprised at the sudden change. This dramatic change is the result of a drop in testosterone (mostly) along with lowered other sex hormones. Men may have a decreased libido as well, as their testosterone slowly wanes. Some people have a consistent libido and this may pose problems when a partner is not available / not interested.
• Sexual response: Women tend to complain of slow arousal and difficulty coming to orgasm. Orgasms may elude them altogether, or be less satisfying. At the same time, men who are having difficulty with sexual response most often report erectile dysfunction.

Good News! There ARE things you can do:

• Eat a healthy diet, mostly fresh whole foods without preservatives, additives, and trans fats to provide energy to all your cells.
• Exercise: Women who exercise have been shown to have fewer symptoms of menopause, including sexual symptoms. Men and women who exercise have better cardiovascular health so better sexual interest and response.
• Sleep: Adequate, uninterrupted sleep is important for stress reduction, hormone production, and sexual desire and response.
• Manage stress: Stress often increases at midlife, especially with the many changes that occur. Taking an honest look at your stressors and working to reduce them will help. Finding practices to manage stress will improve well being in general, including sexual interest and response. Deep breathing and meditation have been shown in formal research to improve medical health and sexual health and satisfaction.

More Good News! There are herbal, natural remedies for decreased libido and sexual response, and science has come a long way in production of these supplements. Genomegen Inc carries unique products, designed in the lab from nature’s ingredients, for both men and women. Discover them, so that you can show your partner you care!

OMG-F for women is designed to be a natural aid for sexual intercourse, no orgasms, absence of sexual enjoyment, diminished sexual desire, frigidity, dry vagina causing painful intercourse
Helps improve female sexual function and excitement.

OMG-M for men is designed to help you with sexual intercourse, low libido, improve vitality, early ejaculation, erectile power and sexual health. Helps improve male sexual function and excitement.

Testrodol and Femodrol is also available to balance your hormones.