Experience of Body Changes and Sexuality among Middle-aged Men and Women: A Community-Based Exploratory Qualitative Study
1
School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
Improve Africa Systems, Johannesburg, South Africa
3
Family Medicine Department, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
4
School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The midlife is the period at the crossroads between the growth experienced in youth and the decline of old age which is associated with reduction in cognitive performance and physical health in addition to increasing responsibilities at the workplace, family and the community. Concerning sexual and reproductive health, the midlife is poorly researched compared to other age categories. Nonetheless, significant body changes occur during this phase, which may affect their mental state and sexuality negatively.
OBJECTIVE:
Thus, this study explored the experience of body changes, sexuality and health among adults in midlife.
METHODS:
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 a description of the body and sexuality changes experienced, challenges with understanding the changes and gaining access to care as well as the effect of the changes. Body changes included hot flushes, reduced appetite and loss of beauty. While women described either heightened or reduced libido, the men described reduced libido. Challenges with understanding the changes were due to lack of information, effect of cultural norms and poor information provided by health workers from whom the participants sought guidance. The changes led to fragile emotions and performance anxiety among the participants.
CONCLUSIONS:
The effect of midlife changes among men and women can be far-reaching when combined with other stressful factors such as household stresses and higher demands at the workplace. It is therefore important to raise awareness about the challenges experienced in this age group and to provide interventions to mitigate these effects so they are better able to cope.
The midlife is the period at the crossroads between the growth experienced in youth and the decline of old age which is associated with reduction in cognitive performance and physical health in addition to increasing responsibilities at the workplace, family and the community. Concerning sexual and reproductive health, the midlife is poorly researched compared to other age categories. Nonetheless, significant body changes occur during this phase, which may affect their mental state and sexuality negatively.
OBJECTIVE:
Thus, this study explored the experience of body changes, sexuality and health among adults in midlife.
METHODS:
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 a description of the body and sexuality changes experienced, challenges with understanding the changes and gaining access to care as well as the effect of the changes. Body changes included hot flushes, reduced appetite and loss of beauty. While women described either heightened or reduced libido, the men described reduced libido. Challenges with understanding the changes were due to lack of information, effect of cultural norms and poor information provided by health workers from whom the participants sought guidance. The changes led to fragile emotions and performance anxiety among the participants.
CONCLUSIONS:
The effect of midlife changes among men and women can be far-reaching when combined with other stressful factors such as household stresses and higher demands at the workplace. It is therefore important to raise awareness about the challenges experienced in this age group and to provide interventions to mitigate these effects so they are better able to cope.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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