Turning 40 is a huge milestone in your life. As exciting as it is, there are a lot of things that can change for you when you hit the 40 mark. While some changes are physical, others are emotional and some others are psychological.

One such inevitable change is the transition into menopause. Even before you hit menopause, your body goes through a lot of changes, starting with the decline in estrogen levels in the body. Some of the changes that take place due to decreased estrogen levels are changes in your menstrual cycle, hot flashes, irritability, sleeping problems, vaginal dryness as well as decreased sex drive.

With sex being an integral part of life and for any relationship, your decreased libido might also take its toll on your sexual life. Do not get anxious or worried with the changes and your decreased sex drive, we have some simple tips that will help boost your sex drive and let you enjoy a healthy sex life even in your 40’s.

Pay attention to your body:

When you hit 40’s you will start noticing that your metabolism slows down while you transition to menopause. Your weight also shifts gradually to your chest, abdomen and shoulders from your thighs and hips. This might just be a good time to start adding energy building activities to your daily schedule. Studies have shown that an hour of workout not only boosts your mood but also leaves you feeling good about your body. Workouts improve blood flow in your body which in turn pumps in “the feel good chemicals” known as endorphins in the body. Testosterone levels in your body also increases after a workout which can leave you feeling sexy. However, be careful not to overdo it as extremely strenuous activity can lead to a decrease in the testosterone levels.

Include activities such as aerobics workouts, running, swimming or brisk walking to your daily routine. Cardio is a great way to burn calories in your 40’s and it also protects your heart and also builds your muscle strength. Take spinning classes or yoga classes as this helps too. Yoga might just be the activity that works for you as yoga trains you to stretch your limits and move out of your comfort shell in a very non-reactive way. It also helps you stay disciplined and you will notice how easy it is for you to be present to things that matter such as the amount of food you eat, what you eat and more.

 Pay attention to your lifestyle and diet:

Do not forget to pay attention to your lifestyle and diet as just working out alone will not you produce the changes you seek. Make it a point to wake up early and work out in the morning as studies show this is the best time to work out. Morning workouts are great for kickstarting your metabolism for the rest of the day. Also, follow a strict diet and always make it a point to have 3 balanced meals. This does not mean that you have to eat plain and boring food. Identify days in the calendar (no more than 4 days per month) when you can cheat on your diet. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and cut back on processed food and junk food. Eat fast food as a last resort and always drink plenty of water. Drinking calories (juices and sodas) are very easy ways to kill gains made through working out. Many high calorie liquids contain lots of carbs and very little protein which does little to make you feel full.

Bring in a novelty item or do something spontaneous:

Finally, be open to trying new things with your partner as this helps boost your sex drive. This is because when you are in a stable relationship the chemical dopamine, which is responsible for fueling your sex drive, quiets down. Exciting or novel things such as a wild vacation, roller coaster rides, introducing a sex toy or lingerie, it stimulates the production of dopamine which in turn gives your sex life a boost. Get creative and do something spontaneous!

Keep these tips in mind and make those changes and you will be happy to see how it benefits your sexual health when you are in your 40’s.

Older women can still have very active and healthy sex lives. Often this has to be a mental choice because you will have to change some of the ways you thought about sex in the past. Your interest level in sex might decline and getting ready for sex might take a little more effort than it once did. This is not a sign that you shouldn’t have sex, but rather that you have to change how you choose to think about sex.

Vaginal Dryness, the Lack of Moisture can be Fixed

Moisture is one of the main issues when it comes to menopause and sex. Your body no longer provides the same lubrication it once did. There are a few things you can do naturally to help this along, such as staying fit and exercising but beyond that you are going to have to look into external options. There are a number of gels and creams that can be purchased that will lubricate you for sex. This can get you past the initial moisture problem. There are a few slow release gels so that you are sure to have the moisture keep up with any type of prolonged activity.

Diminished Sexual Appetite

Your hormonal changes tend to drives down your sex drive. You have to realize that this lessened desire level is not really a reflection on how you feel about sex or your desire to be close to your partner, but rather a hormonal, biological effect because you are no longer in a place to “breed.” Sex has developed past that point for many of us and needs to be a part of many healthy marriages, so finding a way to work past the biological “trick” is important. This can mean being more creative or just acknowledging your changed desire level. The truth is, once you start, you will want to finish, your drive to start might be less than it once was.

Body Image Discomfort

As we age, we also become uncomfortable with our body and our body image can become distorted. Exercise and staying fit can help reduce this feeling. You also have to be willing to work past your feelings of sex being a “young” person’s game. This is a mental/psychological viewpoint and you can easily work on changing how you feel about your body and your sexual appetite. Find lingerie and things that hide areas you are uncomfortable with. Work to find positions and lighting options that make you happy overall.

Sex during menopause can be just as fun and fulfilling as sex during any other time in your life. You need to work to keep yourself active. This will help you have the sex life you want no matter what your age and your reproductive status. You don’t have to give up this part of your life just because you are older, you just have to change it up and make it a new experience.