Motivation and emotion/Book/2025/Sexual motivation across the lifespan

Sexual motivation across the lifespan
How does sexual motivation change from adolescence to old age?

Overview

Figure 1. A couple during pregnancy. Case study Cassidy is a 19-year-old female who has been with her boyfriend Mark for three years. During sex, she states it is the closest she ever feels to Mark, due to the intimate nature. John, who is 35, has been with his wife Charlie for 12 years. They have been discussing falling pregnant (see Figure 1) for the last few months as Charlie expresses she feels like her body clock is saying it is time. Instead of being driven by affection, their current sex life is rooted in the urge to reproduce (Figure 1). At 65, Catherine feels as if she is discovering sex for the first time again. Because she has successfully raised a family and retired from a life-long career, she does not feel any societal pressure to engage in sex for any reasons but her own pleasure.

Motivation to engage in sexual behaviour is not unique to humans. Like many other species, there is an overarching drive to reproduce, which can be described as an innate biological feature. Additionally, sexual motivation differs from other physiological motivations such as hunger and thirst. Although it is necessary for the preservation of species, it is not responsible for the survival of individuals (Sanna et al., 2020). However, the copulatory behaviour displayed by humans is far superior to the need for reproduction, indicating there to be both biological and emotional responses that influence the need for intimacy (Venture-Aquino & Agmo, 2023).

It is no secret that humans change throughout the lifespan. The transition from infancy to old age depicts remarkable biological adaptations made on the basis of survival. From face value alone, it can be deciphered that sex is driven by differing reasons for different age groups. As demonstrated by the case study above, the developmental life period one is in provides great influence when behaving in a sexual capacity. With reference to the focus questions below, the motivational change for engaging intimacy is critically reviewed by this chapter.

Focus questions Why is sexual motivation so important for humans? What role do hormones play in sexual motivation? How does sexual motivation change throughout the lifespan?

Sexual motivation

As an individual behaviour, sex is goal-directed. When engaging in sexual activities, individuals are completing specific and deliberate actions to reach a desired outcome (Patrick et al., 2011). But what is driving such behaviours? Why do humans feel urged to partake?

Due to ethical considerations, evaluating the intensity of human sexual motivations is often conducted through questionnaires, which rely on one-sided accounts. As such, these responses are limited to bias. For example, individuals may over/under report their responses to maintain social desirability (Ventura-Aquina & Agmo, 2023). Nonetheless, these questionnaires can still provide an insight into how sexual motivation changes throughout the lifespan. An example of this is shown in research undertaken by Patrick and Colleagues (2011), which found that college students associate feeling valued, pleasure, comfort, and affection with being salient sexual motivators. Within that, males often prioritised self-focused pleasure, whereas women placed further importance on finding motivation through expressing intimacy.

Theory of motivation

In order to become motivated and complete a specific behaviour, humans must experience an unsatisfied need and its growing tension (Toates, 2009). Throughout psychology, professionals have provided differing models when identifying needs which need to be fulfilled, with theories of motivation providing additional framework and context. Relative to sexual behaviour, Toates (2009) refers to the basic incentive-motivation model as a guide.

Figure 2. Clayton P. Alderfer proposes three needs for human existence: existence, relatedness, and growth.

The incentive-motivation model believes that the strength of motivations (e.g., food, water) are dependent on the strength of the stimuli affecting a nervous system, ruled by physiological states of hormonal levels and nutritional deficits (Toates, 2009). In specific relation to arousal, "sexual behaviour first exerts positive feedback in terms of enhancing motivation, but, subsequently, negative feedback reduces motivation as a function of orgasm and ejaculation" (Toates, 2009, p. 168).

Furthermore, the hierarchy of needs proposed by Alderfer in Figure 2 represents three basic components which humans aim to fulfill. In particular, Alderfer recognises the need for relatedness, which stems from interpersonal relationships with others (American Psychological Association, 2018). One aspect of fulfilling the need for relatedness stems from the biological drive to partake in sexual behaviour, driven by sexual motivation. Once this has been fulfilled, individuals are then able to focus their motivation on other tasks.

Physiological development

When our brain develops throughout the lifespan, we are rewarded with functional neural connections. These connections go on to foster behaviours, cognitions, and emotions (Guyer et al., 2018). Through each developmental stage the brain responds differently to external cues. For instance, through adolescence, peer influence and rewards are strikingly more important than they are within adulthood (Guyer et al., 2018).

The difference in perceived 'needs' resulting from reward cues, also demonstrates neuroplasticity. It has only been recently recognised that the brain is not an unchanging organ, due to the events such as dendritic branching and glial cell proliferation (McEwen & Milner, 2017). Calabro and Colleagues (2019) discuss this further by referencing the plasticity induced with positive sexual reinforcement, ultimately allowing the response to become automated and a part of routine.

Within the subcortical brain, the hypothalamus is a region central to sexual functions. In response to erotic visual stimuli, males produce a penile erection with strong activation in the hypothalamus and amygdala (Brunetti et al., 2008). Additionally, Baird and Colleagues (2007) suggested the hypothalamus is responsible when an overt sexual response is triggered.

Table 1 describes aspects of the subcortical brain activated throughout sexual behaviour, while Figure 3 depicts the functional relationship between the hypothalamus and the secretion of sexual hormones.

Figure 3. Hypothalamus role in secreting sexual hormones.

Table 1.

Subcortical Brain Areas and Their Relation to Human Sexual Function (based on Calabro et al., 2019)

Brain area	Function
Hypothalamus	Influences mate choice, coordinates autonomic sexual behaviour.
Amygdala	Attaches emotional significance to erotic stimuli, modulates sexual drive.
Insula	"Awareness of tumescence of erectile organs". (p. 3)
Thalamus	"Relays erotic stimuli coming from the spinal cord". (p. 3)

Hormones

In the 1960s biochemists were able to determine a neural circuitry for sexual behaviour, which centred around the activity of gonadal steroid hormones. While women have higher levels of estrogen circulating around their ovaries, men circulate androgen, also known as testosterone, in their testes (Karamichos et al., 2022). Commonly referred to as sex hormones, androgen and estrogen peak following puberty and decline with age. Karamichos and Colleagues (2022) found that "androgen levels progressively decline after the fourth or fifth decades of life ... with women experiencing a precipitous loss of circulating estrogens during menopause" (p. 16).

Humans are among the only species who engage in sexual behaviour at a rate which is more than required for copopulation. Having identified this, Wallen (2001) states that for humans, "copulatory behaviour has been emancipated from hormonal control" (p. 339). Thus, instead of the gonadal hormones regulating sexual ability, they primarily influence sexual motivation.

Jennings and de Lecea (2020) differentiate sexual behaviour into two components: appetitive and consummatory. While consummatory behaviour reflects the act of mating itself, appetitive behaviours are the driving force behind sexual motivation. This "entails actions that increase the likelihood of mating to occur ... includes approach, solicitation, or investigation of a potential mate" (p. 2). In an effort to regulate this behaviour, the gonadal hormones of androgens and estrogens are circulated (Jennings & de Lecea, 2020).

Adolescence

Remarked as being an incredibly sensitive period of development, adolescence occurs from the onset of puberty until legal adulthood (Rubia, 2013). Throughout this period, the brain aims to support more complex and controlled behaviours, such as emotional regulation and decision making (Guyer et al., 2018). At the same time, adolescence is notoriously associated with an increase of risk-taking behaviours. Rubia (2013) proposes that this could result from "the late development of top-down executive control mechanisms over more immature reward hypersensitivity" (p. 725).

Adolescence is arguably the only stage where individuals do not rely on others to sustain their lives, nor is there a marital family which they are dependent for - these factors can allow the intensity of an attached, and potentially sexual relationship to be explored (Suleiman et al., 2017). Suleiman and Colleagues (2017) also recognise that young people are highly motivated to have the opportunity "to learn how to navigate the complex social interactions involved with establishing and maintaining romantic relationships" (p. 210). To crave and have these desires is expected throughout adolescence, primarily due to the emotional, physical and biological changes brought upon through puberty.

Puberty: Hormonal perspective of adolescence

A large aspect of the hormonal development within adolescence is due to the onset of puberty. Piekarski and Colleagues (2023) discuss two phases of puberty: adrenarche and gonadarche. Between the ages of 7-8 adrenarche typically begins: this is a period whereby the production of adrenal androgens increases. Similarly, between the ages of 9-10 the production of gonadal steroids increase, resulting from gonadarche. With the introduction of these hormones, teenagers experience stimulation by sexually salient sensory, which then promotes an elicited motivational state (Calabro et al., 2019).

The evolutionary and biological aim of puberty is to prepare individuals for reproductive maturity (Suleiman et al., 2017). When this is coupled with the dopamine-rich reward and motivation cognitive systems, romantic relationships and sex become goal-oriented motivations supported by powerful emotional responses (Suleiman et al., 2017).

Fortenberry (2014) makes an important link between puberty and adolescent sexuality, by discussing the onset of cognitive markers which reflect sexual desire. For instance, the amygdala, a region that makes great contributions to social information processing, is extensively reorganised through puberty. Brain regions of this sort feature large populations of gonadal hormones. The topic of abstinence is also reviewed, with some younger adolescents perceiving it as useful for 'developmental readiness'. A perception of this sort demonstrates how abstinence is conceptualised as a sexual behaviour during adolescence, which sexual cognitions reflect (Fortenberry, 2014).

True or False: Sexual motivation remains constant throughout life, unaffected by hormonal changes.

	True
	False

Adulthood

Development through adulthood occurs through many stages; in specific, this section discusses the phases of emerging and young adulthood. These periods demonstrate distinct motivational changes for engaging in sexual behaviour, primarily based on societal expectations. However, in general adulthood as a whole remains a section of life where partaking in sex is most common. Having recognised this, Boyacioglu and Colleagues (2023) make reference to sexual alphabets , indicating this to be a way where legitimate sexual actors can be identified. It is explained "that the most legitimate sexual actors are adults of reproductive age, while the least legitimate ones are young adolescents and the oldest generations" (p. 1).

Emerging adulthood

Between the ages of 18-24, individuals are transitioning from adolescence into emerging adulthood. While theoretically this stage of development is not always recognised, it holds great significance when discussing sexual motivation, as it is a period where casual sexual experiences occur quite frequently. Alongside this, other characteristics of emerging adulthood include independence, higher education and accessing employment (Lyons et al., 2014).

Lyons & Colleagues (2014) conducted research into the casual sexual relationships held by emerging adults, to better understand relevant motivations and consequences. Whilst there are remarkably 'simple' motives, such as "seeking sexual satisfaction without emotional attachment" (p. 81), complex ones exist as well. Substance use has been found as a motivating factor for sexual experiences within this stage, with 65% of respondents identifying drugs or alcohol were used during their last sexual encounter (Lyons et al., 2014).

Adults of this age don't typically associate their independence with settling down to begin a marital life with dependents. In fact, out of 94 respondents aged 18-22, Meston and Colleagues (2009) found only 2% to be married when running a survey concerning sexual motivation. Instead, the freedom to explore intimate connections and their own sexuality appeared to be more important.

Case study Conducting qualitative research, Lyons & Colleagues (2014) provided the following quotes from young adults reflecting on their sexual motivations. Lack of emotional commitment: "and there is no weirdness between us. Like we could have sex one night and she would come over the next day and we would just kick it" (p. 89). Geographic mobility: "I studied abroad ... for about six months so I was like no relationships. I'm just going to go and meet a new guy every night. That's what I'm doing" (p. 91).

Reproductive behaviours

Figure 4. The triangular theory of love, theorised by Sternberg.

Following the onset of puberty, biological females have the ability to fall pregnant and copopulate. Whilst there is not a set age this must occur, it typically falls within the middle of young adulthood. The ages referred to here fall between 24-34. Typically, the Australian Bureau of Statistics can stretch young adulthood as occurring between 24-34. Although, there is an advantage to breaking this up further, specifically when discussing reproductive behaviours.

In an effort to discover more relating to the sexual behaviour of women as they age, Meston and Colleagues (2009) assessed sexual motivation by the 142-item version of the YSEX Scale. Out of 327 participants, it was women aged 31-45 who most engaged in sex, when compared to the age groups of 18-22 and 23-30. However, despite the frequency of engagement differing, the motives did not. Regardless of age range, the participants identified pleasure and love/commitment as being salient motives for their sexual experiences (Meston et al., 2009).

Prior to discussing the experiments results, Meston et al. (2009) group together women aged between 23-30 by distinct characteristics. This includes the belief that a small proportion have begun having children and potentially being married. Whereby it is expected for the majority of women aged between 31-45 to have had children and the means to provide for them.

From an evolutionary perspective, engaging in the sexual cycle is fundamental human behaviour. This is because it allows reproduction, which is "critical for biological adaptation and species self-preservation" (Calabro et al., 2019, p.3). An aspect which drives this engagement is love. To connect love as being a sexually motivating factor in adulthood, the Triangular Theory of Love (Figure 4) presented by Sternberg has great relevance. Sternberg believed that love arises on the basis of three key components: intimacy, passion, and commitment. The component of passion pertains to sexual intercourse, among romance and physical attraction. In a paper titled Love Influences Reproductive Success in Humans, Sorokowski et al. (2017) found statistically significant results indicating passion to be positively correlated with reproduction. Thus, the element of passion in a partnership is an underlying motivation towards engaging in sexual behaviour.

Old age

Sex as people age is not typically discussed. There tends to be a societal assumption that because pregnancy or reproduction isn't involved when older adults interact sexually, it has become an unnecessary activity (Boyacioglu et al., 2023). Yet being able to identify this only opens up further questions. For example, if the urge to reproduce has passed and there isn't the thrill of exploring sex for the first time with your partner, what sexually motivates people in old age?

Through reviewing previous studies, Boyacioglu and Colleagues (2023) found that "older people might feel freer and concentrate on their partners, because the reproduction is not the main concern anymore, which, in turn, increases sexual pleasure" (p. 4). But these individuals tend to shy away from asking for help with, or discussing aspects of their sexual life due to the negative attitudes held against intimacy as you age (Boyacioglu et al., 2023).

Sexual motivation becoming a full circle

Figure 5. Stages of menopause.

Interestingly, the sexuality of older adults presents a relationship between their quality of life and general health status (Boyacioglu et al., 2023). Gewirtz-Meydan and Ayalon (2019) credit this relationship to the hormonal changes women face throughout menopause (Figure 5), and erectile dysfunction which becomes more frequent for men within old age. As such, this cohort is faced with having to confront changes in their sexuality. While this may be daunting, it simultaneously presents a chance for individuals to expand and take on new sexual dimensions (Gewirtz-Meydan & Ayalon, 2019).

Furthermore, by recognising the lack of literature surrounding sexual motivation in old age, Patterson & Colleagues (2025) retrieved and analysed data concerning the sexual behaviour displayed by 57 - 85 year olds. For this study, sexual motivation was split into two categories: proceptive and receptive. Proceptivity refers to pursuing and initiating mating to receive sexual gratification, while receptivity describes how responsive one is to these advances. Firstly, as the age of participants increased, the frequency they thought about sex declined. However, even 22% of those aged between 75 - 85 had masturbated within the last year. Similar to results previously discussed, women placed emotional connection as an incredibly important factor. Specifically, "women who felt emotionally satisified and happy about their partner had higher proceptive sexual motivation, but in men, their relationship quality had no association" (Patterson et al., 2025, p. 1790).

A study by Patrick et al. (2011) reflected on the reasons why college students have sex. It is compelling that many of the motives listed by these students correlate strongly with the ones described by 57 - 85 year olds. Ultimately, as individuals phase out of raising children and are presented with an empty nest, the chance to explore one's own sexuality returns. Thus, once the end of development in the lifespan has been reached, the basis of sexual motivation completes a full cycle.

Which statement best describes sexual activity in older adults?

	Sexual activity completely stops after age 65.
	Many older adults remain sexually active, although frequency and physical capacity may change.
	Sexual motivation disappears entirely in old age.
	Older adults do not experience any sexual satisfaction.

Conclusion

Throughout the lifespan, sexual motivation adapts to an individual's development period. This adaption is influenced by hormones, environmental context, and social cues. An adaption of this sort has proved necessary for humans, as a result of the high copulatory behaviour we exhibit. Sexual behaviour in humans is not only necessary for reproduction, but is used in a way to foster connection with other individuals. Hence the reason why copulatory behaviour cannot be controlled by hormones.

In adolescence, the onset of puberty matures the body in preparation for reproduction, which mainly occurs throughout adulthood. This does not mean teenagers are not interested in sex, but they are not motivated to partake in intimate behaviours with the goal of beginning a family. Instead it is a life period where they begin to form romantic relationships, fuelled by the increase of sex hormones being coursed throughout their body.

Similarly, emerging adulthood typically sees individuals experimenting with their sexuality, suggesting a lot of their motivation comes from exercising their independence and seeking sexual gratification. A few years later, the desire to reproduce becomes evident. In young adulthood, the love which unities partnerships becomes a driving force for beginning a family. By the time a person is considered to be old age, it is almost a full circle moment in terms of their sexual motivation. As the stress to have children has now passed, the freedom to sexually experiment first apparent in adolescence has returned. While there remains some stigma around this discussion it is an important one to have, due to the ties sexual behaviour holds with general health and quality of life status.

See also

• Effects of hormones on sexual motivation (Wikipedia)
• Emotion and sex (Book chapter, 2010)
• Human reproduction (Wikipedia)
• Neuroanatomy of intimacy (Wikipedia)
• Sexual motivation (Book chapter, 2011)

References

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Aspis, M., & Gewirtz-Meydan, A. (2025). I’m Sexy and I Know it: Exploring the Moderating Role of Sexual Motivations in the Relationship Between Sexual Self-Esteem and Sexual Functioning in Israeli Adults. Journal of Sex Research, 62(1), 139–149. https://doi-org.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/10.1080/00224499.2024.2306478

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Patterson, E. H., Waite, L. J., & McClintock, M. K. (2025). Sex differences in sexual motivation among U.s. residents 57-85 years of age. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 54(5), 1781–1797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03149-8

Piekarski, D. J., Colich, N. L., & Ho, T. C. (2023). The effects of puberty and sex on adolescent white matter development: A systematic review. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 60(101214), 101214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101214

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Sorokowski, P., Sorokowska, A., Butovskaya, M., Karwowski, M., Groyecka, A., Wojciszke, B., & Pawłowski, B. (2017). Love Influences Reproductive Success in Humans. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01922

Suleiman, A. B., Galván, A., Harden, K. P., & Dahl, R. E. (2017). Becoming a sexual being: The “elephant in the room” of adolescent brain development. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 25, 209–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2016.09.004

Toates, F. (2009). An integrative theoretical framework for understanding sexual motivation, arousal, and behavior. Journal of Sex Research, 46(2–3), 168–193. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490902747768

Wallen, K. (2001). Sex and context: hormones and primate sexual motivation. Hormones and Behavior, 40(2), 339–357. https://doi.org/10.1006/hbeh.2001.1696

Ventura-Aquino, E., & Ågmo, A. (2023). The elusive concept of sexual motivation: can it be anchored in the nervous system? Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17, 1285810. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1285810

External links

• Aging & sexuality: benefits & barriers of sex among seniors (YouTube, Dr. Regina Koepp)
• Is it normal to think about sex a lot? (for teens) (Kids Health)
• Let's talking about sex: crash course psychology #27 (YouTube, CrashCourse)
• Maternal instinct and biology: evolution ensures we want sex, not babies (University of Melbourne)
• Men have biological clocks that give them baby fever, too (Fatherly)
• Motivation to act: arousal (BrainFacts)
• Sex ed the sequel: sexuality in later adulthood (PlannedParenthood)
• The power of motivation: crash course psychology #17 (YouTube, CrashCourse)