Experience of Body Changes and Sexuality among Middle-Aged Men and Women: A Community-Based Exploratory Qualitative Study

Latifat Ibisomi, Wits University
Neo Masike, Wits Health Consortium
Relebogile Mapuroma , Wits University
Ozo Ibeziako, Family Medicine Department University of Pretoria
Oludoyinmola O. Ojifinni, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

Background: Sexual and reproductive health in the midlife is not as well described, or given as much attention as other periods in the life cycle such as adolescence and old age. This study explored the experiences of midlife body changes among middle-aged men and women. Methodology: This exploratory qualitative study was conducted in Ekurhuleni North Sub-District, Ekurhuleni district, Gauteng Province, South Africa. The study included focus group discussions and in-depth interviews among men and women aged 45–64 years. Transcribed interviews were analysed thematically. Results: The themes identified include lack of information to prepare for changes in midlife, description of the changes experienced and the effect of the changes on the participants’ mental health. Reasons for lack of preparation included cultural norms and apparent lack of adequate information among health workers from whom the participants sought guidance. The changes experienced included heightened emotions and hot flushes among women. While women described either increased or decreased libido, the men described decreased libido. Both groups experienced feelings of insecurity. Conclusion: The effect of midlife changes can be far-reaching due to impact on mental health. It is therefore important to raise awareness about these changes and to provide interventions to mitigate the effect.

Keywords: Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations, Population Ageing, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Qualitative data/methods/approaches

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