Sex hormones drive our libido and make us want to have sex with the people we find most attractive. But while biology has a simple, scientific explanation for that desire, the reality is that sex can be a complicated issue for many of us, young or old.
Sexual problems are very common, from couples dealing with one partner more sexually charged than the other to men having to handle erectile dysfunction, a problem that doesn’t only affect older men.
In young people, the sex hormones – oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone – are in full production so, sexually at least, young people are at their peak. However, age diminishes the production of those hormones and so it would seem obvious that sex drive would naturally also diminish.
Of course, we all know that’s not always the case – for some people, their sex drive remains constant throughout their life. And it’s learning to deal with both that and the other side, the partner who no longer feels the urge to mate at every opportunity, that presents the greatest challenge for couples.
The hormones are only part of the sexual jigsaw because without attraction and the desire to have sex with another person, your hormones will only get you so far. So when you’re in a long-term relationship that’s gone sexually stale, the question you should probably be asking is not “what’s up with my hormones?” but “do I still find my partner attractive?”
If the answer is yes, the solution is simple – stop fretting about sex and concentrate more on showing affection through cuddling and kissing. The sexual desire is likely to return naturally.
If the answer is no, you need to remind yourself of what else attracted to you to your mate, aside from the physical, and use that to rekindle your want.
While biology sees sexual desire in very simple terms, the fact is that sex is complicated and fascinating and almost impossible to explain. Perhaps trying to understand it is where humankind is going wrong!
Can Hormones Explain Everything About Sexual Desire?
