According to the : “During the menopause transition, the physical effects of falling estrogen levels – including hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness – can undermine sexual motivation and drive.”
However, new research suggests that these hormonal changes in middle age can actually stimulate a heterosexual woman’s interest in exploring same-sex attraction. ‘Late blooming’ lesbians isn’t so much a case of women stepping out of the closet late in life, rather, women experience a sexual awakening in their middle age.
Researchers have also said that cultural factors – like increasing social acceptance and greater visibility of lesbian women – could play a part in the rise of women self-identifying as bisexual or same-sex attracted in middle age.
Mothers often don’t start exploring their sexuality until their children have moved out of the family home. This could be a case of women holding off coming out because they don’t want to risk destabilising their family unit, but it may also be that women reimagine their self-of-self as an independent woman, rather than a primary caregiver.
Tracie Oldham, 55: 'I felt something was missing.'
Source: SBS
Jenny Lonergan, late 50s: 'There were so many things I was embarrassed to say.'
Source: SBS
