Reaching Top Speed: When Do Men and Women Reach Their Sexual Peak?

By Michael V Harris

When it comes to the human sex drive, there are a few beliefs that have gained widespread acceptance. For example, it is commonly assumed that men have a higher sex drive than women, and that men and women's sex drives peak at different ages. While it is well-established fact that men have higher sex drives than their wives and girlfriends, this second notion appears to be up for debate. A number of recent studies have looked into this very issue, and have reported some interesting results.

Different Sexual Peaks for Men and Women?

It is commonly assumed that men experience the greatest desire for sex in their late teens, whereas women are most interested in physical intimacy well into adulthood, usually in their thirties. The origins of this theory date back to the 1950s, when famed sex researcher Alfred Kinsey reported that women in their 30s had a higher rate of orgasm than their younger counterparts. This is certainly an interesting idea, one which many people have come to accept as fact. But is it true?

Researchers at the University of Texas attempted to settle this very question, publishing their findings on the matter in 2010. According this group of social scientists, the answer to this question is a resounding "yes." The University of Texas study found that women in the 27 to 45 age bracket had a more vigorous sexual appetite than their younger peers. Specifically, the study reported that women in this age group exhibited the following characteristics:

• Had more frequent sexual fantasies than younger women
• Thought about sex more often
• Experienced more graphic and detailed sex-related thoughts
• Were more likely to engage in casual sex and have one night stands
• Generally had more active sex lives than younger women in the survey

To explain the results of their work, the University of Texas researchers suggest that this increased sex drive might be linked to women's fertility levels. This explanation holds that women in this age bracket, keenly sensing that their fertility windows are rapidly closing, may be having more sex in an effort to conceive before menopause.

A second recent study echoes the findings of the University of Texas researchers. This particular study, conducted in the United Kingdom and consisting of over 2400 Britons, comes from a source that would naturally be interested in the sex drives of adults - a sex toy manufacturer. Though it would seem that an English company that makes sex toys would have little in common with a major university, both sources are in agreement on this issue.

So what exactly did this, um, "adult-themed" enterprise uncover? Well, for starters, it seems that British aged 35-44 think highly of their sexual prowess - some 17% of women in this group give themselves a 10 out of 10 in the bedroom. If that stat catches your attention, take a look at some other facts from this study:

• Over one-third of English women in the 35 to 44 age group have sex two to three times per month
• 20 percent of the study's female participants in the 35 to 44 age range had sex 4 to 6 times each week
• Three-fourths of women in this age group are very content with their sex lives
• Women in the 35 to 44 group took home the title of women with the highest sex drive, with 17% rating their libido as 10 out of 10

By looking at these numbers, the issue would seem to be settled; women's sex drives reach their chemical zenith in their 30s. The evidence seems to clearly point to this collection, right?

A Boost in Chemicals, or a Boost in Confidence?

Well, not so fast. Researchers are hardly unanimous on this subject, as some experts dispute the idea that women's sex drives bloom at a later date. While this viewpoint acknowledges that hormonal changes do occur to men and women, it claims that other factors may lead to theappearance of higher sex drives for women in their 30s.

For example, many women in this stage of their life are heavily invested in long-term monogamous relationships. In short, this means that they are either married or have a long-term partner. According to this line of thinking, women in these situations are essentially given the green light by society to be more sexually active. In other words, older women tend to have more sex because they are more comfortable about doing so, not because their hormones have lead to a spike in sex drive.

Regardless of when we hit our sexual peaks, people can enjoy fulfilling sexual relationships long into adulthood. It should be noted that the use of certain supplements, such Androzene, can help rekindle dormant love lives. Simply put, being past our sexual primes doesn't mean we can't experience satisfying phsycial intimacy with our partners.

The topic of the male and female sex drive sis certainly worthy of study, as it could very well explain our individual thought patterns as they mature. Given the lack of overall consensus on this issue, it would seem that more research is needed to determine if this theory is based on solid footing, or just another myth associated with modern day relationships.

Michael Harris is a contributor to Natural Knowledge 24/7, a monthly newsletter focusing on health and wellness issues. This article, along with many others covering a wide range of subjects, can be found at http://naturalknowledge247.com/

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