What to Expect at Every Age in Your Sex Drive

Your sex drive isn’t strictly tied to a timeline. But there are some natural health and hormonal shifts that typically occur within each decade that can affect your libido.

Adolescence

“Generally speaking, the late teens is when most people’s libidos are the highest,” says Dr. McDevitt. Largely, due to hormones.

But (!), Garrison says, “That doesn’t mean that’s when people are having their most fulfilling, pleasurable sex lives.”

For cisgender women in particular, adolescence can be one of the least sexually gratifying times due to things like shame and lack of information.

20s

Hormonally speaking, this is a time when most folks want to get after it.

But Dr. O’Reilly says due to body image, communication, and relationship issues, for folks not in long-term, loving relationships, this decade may not be one of super-satisfying (or orgasmic!) romps.

30s

Stress is a libido killer. And for many, due to kids, work, household responsibilities, and aging parents, their 30s are a high-stress time.

Oh, and speaking of kids… the 30s are the prime decade for baby-making.

For those who get pregnant, the hormonal fluctuations during and after pregnancy can result in less interest in sex for the time being, says Dr. O’Reilly.

40s

For folks of all genders and sexualities, testosterone levels dip this decade, which can lead to less frisky business.

For vulva-owners this is due to perimenopause, and for penis-havers this is due to the natural aging process.

But, rest assured, Dr. O’Reilly says things that often accompany this decade can lead to a higher interest in sex and more fulfilling sex.

For example:

kids leaving the house
improved feelings about oneself and one’s body
increased comfort with a partner
reduced financial stress

50s

The average age penis-having folks go on Viagra is 53, which suggests many struggle to maintain an erection this decade.

And the average age vulva-owners hit menopause is 51, which can lead to less interest in sex and vaginal dryness.

But Dr. O’Reilly says things like vaginal moisturizers, lube, more creative understandings of sex (oral! anal! humping! kissing!) can make this an incredibly pleasurable and orgasm-rich decade.

60s and Beyond

Sure, your libido may be a less high than it was 40 years ago.

But there’s no rule that says your sex life is worse in your 60s than it was in your 20s, says Dr. McDevitt.

“Some people get divorced in their 60s and get swept off their feet by an exciting new love and find that their sex drive rockets,” she says.

Others discover new ways of having sex with their long-term partner that are even more pleasurable.

The Bottom Line

A sex drive spike can be a great excuse to get down with yourself or your hunny and have some fun (read: orgasms)!

Can a high libido get to a point where it’s interfering with your life? Yes.

But so long as you’re not ditching work or other responsibilities to get off, go ahead and enjoy it — no matter your age.