For generations, popular culture has pushed the idea that peak sexual vitality is reserved for youth — a time of boundless energy, high testosterone, and effortless desire. Many men have been led to believe that aging automatically means decline in this area.
However, modern science is increasingly challenging that assumption.
New large-scale research suggests that sexual desire does not necessarily diminish with age, and for men in particular, it may reach its highest point much later than commonly believed.
New Research Challenges Long-Held Beliefs
A comprehensive study conducted by researchers at the University of Tartu in Estonia analyzed data from more than 67,000 adults aged 20 to 84. The researchers examined sexual desire across a wide range of variables, including age, gender, education level, occupation, and relationship status.
Contrary to the long-standing belief that male libido peaks in early adulthood and steadily drops after the 30s, the findings revealed a very different pattern.
According to the data, male sexual desire tends to peak around age 40, not during the teenage or early adult years. Even more unexpectedly, men in their 60s reported levels of desire similar to men in their 20s.
Overall, men showed a gradual increase in desire from early adulthood, reaching a high point in their early 40s, followed by a slow and steady decline rather than a sudden drop.
Women Show a Different Pattern
The study found that women followed a different trajectory. Female sexual desire generally peaked earlier, most commonly during the 20s to early 30s, and then declined gradually with age, with a more noticeable decrease after age 50.
Importantly, the researchers emphasized that biology alone does not fully explain these trends.
“The midlife peak in men suggests that factors beyond biological aging — such as relationship dynamics and emotional intimacy — may play a larger role than previously assumed,” the researchers wrote in Scientific Reports.
They noted that men in their 40s are more likely to be in stable, long-term relationships, which are often associated with stronger emotional bonds and more consistent intimacy.
Men Report Higher Desire Overall — But With Wide Variation
One of the study’s most striking findings was the consistent difference between men and women in reported sexual desire.
Across most stages of adult life, men reported significantly higher average levels of desire than women. However, the researchers cautioned against overgeneralizing.
Libido varies widely from person to person, and many women reported higher desire levels than their male partners. The findings highlight that sexual desire is highly individual and influenced by multiple factors, not just age or gender.
Lifestyle, Education, and Career Matter Too
Beyond age and biology, the study uncovered several unexpected social and lifestyle influences.
Participants who identified as bisexual reported the highest levels of sexual desire overall. Those with undergraduate degrees reported higher desire than both individuals with less education and those with postgraduate degrees, who reported the lowest levels.
Certain professions — including military roles, machine operators, drivers, and senior management positions — were associated with higher desire, while office-based and customer service roles tended to report lower levels.
Relationship satisfaction played a role, but not as strongly as many might expect. Being happy in a relationship led to only a modest increase in desire. Parenthood affected men and women differently: women often experienced a decline in desire after having children, while men frequently reported an increase.
Rethinking Sex, Aging, and Long-Term Relationships
The findings add to a growing body of research pushing back against myths about sex and aging — particularly the idea that intimacy naturally fades in long-term relationships.
Previously, relationship expert Dr. Stephen Snyder addressed why some men experience changes in sexual activity over time. In his book Love Worth Making: How to Have Ridiculously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship, he explains that emotional disconnection, unresolved relationship dynamics, and stress often play a larger role than age itself.
Dr. Snyder emphasizes the importance of communication, emotional closeness, and maintaining a sense of playfulness and spontaneity — even later in life.
He also warns that rigid expectations or overly structured “sex schedules” can backfire. Allowing intimacy to evolve naturally, he suggests, may be one of the most effective ways to support long-term relationship health and sexual well-being.
The Takeaway
The latest science makes one thing clear: aging does not automatically mean declining desire. For many men, sexual interest may actually be strongest in midlife, supported by emotional maturity, stable relationships, and overall well-being.
As researchers continue to explore the connection between health, relationships, and longevity, one message stands out — desire is shaped by far more than age alone.