[sexy brenda]

I masturbate, but I just use my fingers. My husband has no problem with me doing it either. In fact, he encourages me to fantasize about other men while I'm doing it.

since rekindling my sex life at age 50 with my husband and a new recent partner I find I cannot get enough sex nowadays and masturbate regularly whenever I am alone. I love playing with myself by hand and have never used sex toys. I did know what they were until I came onto this site at my late age

[jen1447]

I love sexual re-awakenings.

[rcoreyus]

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems that on average older women are much more open to embracing their sexuality than are younger women. I don't see any such pattern in men. If its true, I wonder why.

[Claret]

Medical reason, when women are in menopause or peri-menopause, their estrogen levels drop. The result is that the amount of testosterone remains seems high compared to pre menopause levels, even though it has not changed. Your body perceives it as being higher. This can also happen throughout a woman's life such as during her period when levels ebb and flow (no pun intended) naturally.

I digress.

Testosterone is responsible for sex drive in both males and females. If your body perceives this as being higher, you may have an increased libido.

The three main hormones and their functions are:
Estrogen. Estrogen is the primary female hormone, and it helps regulate the menstrual cycle, control the development of female sex organs, and thicken the lining of the uterus to support pregnancy. As a woman approaches menopause — the period of time known as perimenopause, levels of estrogen begin to decrease dramatically. When estrogen levels become so low that the uterine lining no longer thickens, menopause occurs. Low levels of estrogen can have a big impact on your sex drive. You may experience vaginal dryness that can lead to painful intercourse and you may have unstable mood and sleep patterns.
Testosterone. Testosterone, which is primarily thought of as a male hormone, is also made by, and is important to, women. A woman's ovaries naturally produce testosterone, which is used to help make estrogen. Some studies have shown that higher levels of testosterone are associated with increased sexual desire and sexual behavior in women. And since testosterone levels tend to naturally decline in women after menopause, some researchers believe that low testosterone levels may contribute to the reduction of arousal and sexual response that often occurs in older women.
Progesterone. Like estrogen, progesterone is another female hormone that helps control the menstrual cycle and support pregnancy. Levels of progesterone also decline when you reach menopause. While researchers are still working to understand the role that progesterone plays in a woman's sexual function, changing levels of progesterone are thought to be involved in a woman's sexual behavior.

[rcoreyus]

Interesting, and a bit surprising from an evolutionary point of view - but then a lot of human sexual behavior doesn't make simple evolutionary sense. (I'm not disagreeing, just musing).

I had been assuming it was more likely socialization: girls told that sex is bad, and something they should ration, then gradually ageing and realizing that sex is enjoyable and there is no reason not to have as much as they want.

So do women find they want more sex as they get older, or do they just feel less inhibited about getting sex when they want it?

[Stillness]

Interesting, and a bit surprising from an evolutionary point of view - but then a lot of human sexual behavior doesn't make simple evolutionary sense.

I've noticed that myself.

I also assumed that it was more mental. As some women mature they get more comfortable with their bodies and sex. At 38 I still feel that I'm maturing and learning more about my body. I think I enjoy sex more.

[Claret]

Interesting, and a bit surprising from an evolutionary point of view - but then a lot of human sexual behavior doesn't make simple evolutionary sense. (I'm not disagreeing, just musing).

I had been assuming it was more likely socialization: girls told that sex is bad, and something they should ration, then gradually ageing and realizing that sex is enjoyable and there is no reason not to have as much as they want.

So do women find they want more sex as they get older, or do they just feel less inhibited about getting sex when they want it?

I think it could be a combination. More testosterone = increased libido, less family constraints = more time to be more affectionate
Many women feel that because they can't get pregnant any more, that it frees them up to enjoy sex more. There aren't the financial burdens (usually), life should be generally easier. Having said this. . . a lot of it has to do with how a woman enters menopause. If she looks at it as being all good (as I did) and her state of mind is content with that then I think the freedom it gives to explore and immerse into her sexuality is great.

If however, she enters into it with misgivings and a feeling that her "life" is over, then she'll have a harder time and may put up roadblocks to her own sexual health and jeopardizing the sexual intimacy between her and her partner.

This all is a generalization and applies to "some" women not "all" women, each one will act and react differently.

I'm not always the best at describing things but this is the gist of it.

[Claret]

Should I continue? Another reason could be because as we age our skin thins out. This is why skin wrinkles, and unfortunately sags as in the case of facial wrinkles. But it's not just confined to the face, take a look at an older persons hands, the veins stand out a lot more than in a younger person. Not just a little - quite a bit. When your skin is thinner your nerves etc. are closer to the surface because there is not the layer or as big of a layer of fat - anywhere. The nerves being closer to the surface allows for greater feeling during sex, you don't require the same amount of friction or direct contact to excite the nerves.

[Heather971]

Do most women masturbate? There are always threads about husbands masturbating, and how many women posting here are put off or alarmed by this.

Do you masturbate?

With the help of a vibrator?
How often? daily?
Just curious.

Yes I mastrubates 3 to 4 times a day,Sometimes I use my vibe and sometimes I use my fingers.I have to have sex at least 2 times a day because I have a really high sex drive.I would do it more if my man would give it to me.

[Josephlin101]

Yes I mastrubates 3 to 4 times a day,Sometimes I use my vibe and sometimes I use my fingers.I have to have sex at least 2 times a day because I have a really high sex drive.I would do it more if my man would give it to me.

Wow, have sex twice per day? That seems to be amazingly high. Orgasm every time?