Women whose fertility is declining are more likely to have sex, say American psychologists, whose research was published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.
At a time when more and more women postpone their decision to give birth to a child, scientists decided to check how the ticking of the biological clock affects their sex life. It turned out that despite the decrease in the chances of having children, the brains of women do not give up and stimulate their libido.
A team of psychologists at the University of Texas at Austin surveyed 827 women divided into three groups: high fertility (18-26 years old), low fertility (27-45 years old) and menopausal age group (more than 46 years old).
The results showed that women in the low fertility group had erotic fantasies more often than older and younger friends, led a more active sex life and were more open to one-night contacts without obligations. Women in relationships fantasized both about their partner and about other men.
According to the Pew Research Center report, women become mothers today more than two decades ago, regardless of race or ethnic group.
After the age of 35, it may be harder to get pregnant, but psychological mechanisms will keep women from trying to get through the menopause, says lead researcher Judith Easton.
The research is the first to provide a picture of changes in women’s reproductive behavior at different stages of life. Scientists attribute these differences to ingrained psychological mechanisms that have developed through evolution. (PAP)