The sexual experience of middle-aged married women: Perceptions, challenges and course of action

The effect of maintaining of sexual desire on the mental well-being of women, in general, and particularly in long-term relationships, has only been partially investigated. Research that explores the ability of women aged 40-55 to actively influence their sexual experience is even sparser. Previous research has shown that women understand and experience their sexual desire mainly in the context of their partners' relationships. They often report experiences in which they respond to sexual advances, as opposed to autonomy in sexual desire (Goldhammer & McCabe, Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 20:19-29, 2011). This chapter examines how, and to what extent, women can actively maintain sexual desire in long-term relationships, in the broadest sense, both toward their partners during intercourse and as an integral part of their mental well-being within the relationship. It also demonstrates how taking responsibility and nurturing a woman's sexuality enhance personal and feminine empowerment, a way that has become more legitimate in recent years with the development of female gender awareness. Our research is based on qualitative narrative data, collected from semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 20 Israeli women. The women were working mothers from a similar socio-economic status, aged 40-55, and were either married or in a permanent and prolonged relationship with a partner. This chapter presents part of a larger study that examined the ways in which the perception of sexuality's role in a relationship, as well as its impact on the mental well-being of women, has significantly developed over the years. This applied study's central contribution is that its findings demonstrated how the methods, means, approaches, insights, and responses of the interviewees can serve as a guide for other women, who seek to maintain sexual desire in marriage or in long-term relationships. This "life guide"may facilitate developing an approach toward sexuality and the very need for it, not only during intercourse, but also and especially as a way of life. Sexuality is an important part of marital communication and the mental well-being of women, as they learn to initiate, lead, and engage in practices that bring them the most sexual fulfilment. This theoretical implication of this study can further enhance the academic understanding of the topic.