Why Gen X Women Are Having the Best Sex of Their Lives

For many women over 50, the idea that their best sexual years are behind them couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, women of Generation X – those born between 1965 and 1980 – are now experiencing some of the most fulfilling sexual relationships of their lives. 

This shift is fuelled by life experience, evolving attitudes, and greater sexual freedom.

According to Mireille Silcoff, writing in a New York Times opinion piece, Gen X women have been portrayed in the media as facing “diminished libido, painful sex, and vaginal atrophy.” 

Yet, she argues, these women are entering a golden era of sexual fulfilment. 

“This is a cohort of women with formative experiences that do not resemble those of the generations surrounding them,” she writes. 

Unlike previous generations, they began having sex earlier, remained single longer, and now, many are continuing to have active sex lives even as sexual activity among other age groups declines.

A recent study supports this, revealing that Gen X women are having more sex than both their Baby Boomer parents and their younger Millennial and Gen Z counterparts. 

Researchers speculate that this is linked to the unique cultural environment in which Gen X came of age, marked by a more liberal attitude towards sex and access to birth control. Hypersexual media also played a role, from provocative films like Porky’s to blunt pop songs such as “I Want Your Sex” by George Michael.

Shannon Watts, author and founder of Moms Demand Action, reflects on her own sexual journey, recounting how, like many of her peers, she became sexually active in her teens, learning about sex through friends rather than her parents. 

“My Boomer parents rarely spoke about sex,” she recalls. “I had no hangups about the morality of sex, but I also didn’t understand its importance in relationships.”

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It wasn’t until later in life that Watts discovered the true value of a fulfilling sexual connection. Following a divorce and remarriage, she found that the pressures of life had lessened, her children were older, and she had more time to prioritise intimacy. 

“Now, almost 20 years into our marriage, I’m having the best sex of my life,” she says.

Watts emphasises the importance of self-acceptance and body confidence. While many women in their youth struggle with body image, women in midlife often develop a greater appreciation for their bodies. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, feeling attractive is key to sexual satisfaction in midlife women. “I no longer focus on what I dislike about my body,” Watts notes. “Instead, I honour what it’s capable of.”

For women over 50, menopause can actually become a liberating factor in their sex lives. The absence of periods and the fear of pregnancy allows for more spontaneity, while long-term emotional security with a partner can reignite desire. 

For those without partners, embracing the single life can be just as empowering. A recent AARP study found that 75% of women in their 50s enjoy being single, often because they can explore their sexual desires free from the expectations of long-term relationships.

New technologies and medical treatments are also making sex more enjoyable for women in midlife. From hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to fractional CO2 laser treatments like MonaLisa Touch, women today have access to treatments that can enhance their sexual health, improving everything from libido to vaginal comfort.

As women live longer, there’s no reason why turning 50 should signal the end of an active and enjoyable sex life. For many, it marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter. 

As Watts says, “We have the opportunity to begin a whole new second act, and for many of us, that includes sexual satisfaction.”