Sexual expectations and needs of middle‑aged women: A qualitative study

Securing a healthy sexual relationship during middle‑agedness would cause new needs and expectations in women, considering the special changes of this period. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the sexual needs of middle‑aged women.

The present study was a qualitative study with content analysis approach. Participants were 15 middle‑aged women; their expectations and needs about sexual relationship were gathered using in‑depth semi‑structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman inductive content analysis.

The main themes that were appeared in the present study included “the need for information” with subcategories of “the need for information about physiologic changes” and “information about psychological changes;” “the need for sympathy” with subcategories of “the need for receiving appropriate feedback” and “appropriate space for expressing the emotions;” “the need for changing social norms” with subcategories of “accepting middle‑agedness by the society” and “the need for changing the concept of femininity;” and finally “the need for repairing the sexual relationship” with subcategories of “solutions for solving sexual problems” and “paying attention to the new aspects of sexual relationship.”

Results showed that middle‑aged women have various sexual needs and expectations and paying attention to these needs and expectations could affect the improvement of the sexual and mental health of middle‑aged women and their families.