Sexual Health

At What Age Do Females Become Sexually Active? Find Out The Ideal Age!

Virgin sex and the journey ahead. Exploring when the females become really, sexually active!


Written by Rani Premkumar

On Jan 27, 2023 – 12 minutes read

what age do females become sexually active

Sex is said to have started from the forbidden fruit theory. Whatever is said and done, sex is a natural biological process of the body that caters to the sociological Function of building a family which further expands into society and then into a state, country… on it goes. Different cultures have different perceptions of sex. It depends on the local evolutionary journey of the country as to how much evolved the society is to deal with these kinds of topics which have a weight of fuzziness around them. 

There was a time when women being sexually active was also recognized by society without any prejudices. There were women depicted as authorities in sex treatises like Kamasutra. There were the harems, concubines and the ‘desirable women’ who were treated like royalty. Then the pseudo-morality set in, making women its targets, leaving men out to philander without any judgements. 

The moral code of law does proscribe ‘ premarital’ and ‘ extramarital’ sex situations in many cultures and religions. But do religious and cultural dictates bring about changes in the biological mechanisms of the body? No! But stringent restraints will have something to do with ‘what age do females become sexually active?’ and the frequency of their sexual encounters. 

At What Age Do Females Become Sexually Active?

There is no magical age for one to be sexually aware. It depends on the age one attains puberty. Physical and hormonal changes will make women sexually aware of arousal, getting wet and getting sexual desires, physical changes aside. At the attainment of puberty, girls automatically develop an attraction towards the opposite sex and get curious about sexuality. They start fantasizing about boys and feel a rush of attraction and hormones when interacting with them. 

At What Age Do Females Become Sexually Active?

Peer influence also brings about curiosity. Peer pressure brings in situations that bring about interest and has a large role in making females sexually active. 

Sexually Active: The meaning!

The term ‘ sexually active ‘ is seen as more like a ‘penis in vagina’ (PIV) thing. It may not be that penetrative sex alone. It could go to dry humping, genital contact, rimming, hand job, anal sex, oral sex, and masturbating each other. Whether Solo masturbation and cyber sex point to being sexually active or not depends on perception, but technically not counted as a sexual activity for lack of human interaction. 

Being sexually active follows the norm of thought or emotion, then arousal to be followed by sexual action. Women get ready for sexual activity at puberty. But it depends on the circumstances as to when she is going to be unflowered. 

Sexually Active Age: The Socio-Political Stance

In almost all cultures, sex is supposed to be a corollary of marriage. In order to make sure there are no incestuous ties which may affect the genes, poly eroticism itself is suppressed and sex was confined to the four walls of marriage. Thus, the age of sexual activity correlates with the age of marriage in many countries and cultures. 

Of the lack of reliable statistical data about the age women become sexually active in different cultures, marriage is deemed to be the yardstick, though we turn a blind eye to the real age women become sexually active. In countries like India, the legal age for marriage is 18 and 21 for girls and boys respectively, though new enactments suggest twenty-one to be the age of marriage. 

What Age Do Females Become Sexually Active: The Biological Point Of View!

Is there a number which we can call the golden age when it comes to sex? Can you be sexually active after 50? Let’s dig deep into the question of on what age do females become sexually active.

Is It Normal To Be Sexually Active At 12? 

Girls do attain puberty in their early teens but rarely involve in sexual activity because of its illegality. Many legal systems term it statutory rape, even when done with a female’s consent. But there are many tribes which allow the marriage of kids and sexually active girls who are twelve may exist.

There are some countries where there are special brothels with child prostitutes, with slant regard to the guidelines in many international documents on the rights of the child. But in refined societies, girl children are not sexually active at 12. An analysis of data from the National Survey of Family Growth, it is only one per cent of twelve-year-old girls have had sex. 

In a survey by NSFG, it is found that almost 76-77 per cent of women have had sex by the age of twenty. 

Women In 20’s

At what age do females become sexually active? Let’s start with the age of 20. Women in their 20s will have a very strong sex drive when in their twenties because they are the most fertile during this period. The body has a natural mechanism to boost the sex drive during the most fertile period to ensure reproduction. Two weeks after your period’s monthly cycle, your testosterone and oestrogen levels will be at their highest, and this is an ideal period for women to be sexually active due to a higher sex drive. Though some claim reduced sex drive due to birth control.

What Age Do Females Become Sexually Active- The Biological Point Of View!

Women In 30’s 

As fertility declines during the thirties, you could be less interested in sex, biologically, especially in contrast with the interest you had in the twenties. It is also then when many give birth and it lowers the sex drive. Given that in 2019 census bureau data in the United States, the median age women give birth in the U. S is thirty. 

Women In 40s And 50s

In the forties and early fifties, the body goes through perimenopause when the body has reduced levels of oestrogen, which in turn leads to women not having enough sex drive. 

Some other studies suggest that the forties and fifties are said to be the prime time women become Sexually active completely due to many reasons like having lesser stress, greater body awareness and confidence, more experience and especially with menopause, you do not have to worry about contraception or getting knocked up. That is the age when you are not wanting to have sex as a means of validation. Another reason stated for the forty to be the new twenty is that you have a stable partner by then and you know what you like and what you do not.

To top it, we know that you won’t be squeamish about certain things in sex and you can explore the wild self-accepting that there is messiness involved in the act. 

Dr Leslie Shifren points out in a Harvard Medical report that while researching at what age do females become sexually active, it is in midlife and beyond if health permits. It is also found that women after fifty will have lesser worries about being pregnant, hence will be more interested in sex if health allows. 

You boink when you want to, is a simplistic statement. Some studies point out that women become more sexually active during thirty’s and forty’s. A new study suggests that women become more satisfied with their sex lives after they turn forty. In the study, women were found to be sexually aroused and active even after the age of eighty. The researcher Elizabeth Barrett- Connor published the study in the January issue of the American Journal of Medicine (1). 

Who Is More Sexually Active? Men Or Women 

This a question that never goes out of style. Multiple studies point out that men and women are on par when it comes to sexual desire. But in the olden times, women were having fewer opportunities to go out and mingle, making their chances to be sexually active less. But now is that the case? 

The gender tussle continues, whether it is the men or women who are sexually more active. Though it is the perception that men are more active in sex as if they want it at the drop of a hat, women are found to be equally active. 

Testosterone is often traced as the reason behind men’s readymade sexuality, though the situations and peer pressure are additional ones. Women are seen as having sex only when in the right mood. This gender divide is proved to be a myth in a study by Sara Hunter Murray, where she points out that the social norms and the ways we are raised will impact the reporting and repressing of the data. She points out that men are given permission to speak candidly about sex while women are hushed away from speaking about it. 

Who Is More Sexually Active? Men Or Women 

In a 2007 study about what age do females become sexually active, it was found that the revealing of the number of sexual partners, and matters like masturbation–were not reported in a candid way, which itself proves that the data regarding such intimate details won’t be accurate. In such a situation, it will not be a great idea to go with the notion that men are more sexually active. It is also found that as men are not allowed to speak candidly about low sex drive or about having no sex; the data related to their sexual activities may not be as accurate. 

In another study by Hunter Murray with college-aged couples, it was deduced that half the participants had similar levels of sexual desire, and the number of men who did not have the desire was equal to the number of women who did not. She concluded that multiple studies show that men and women have the same level of sexual desire. 

But in a 2009 study titled, ‘The dual control model: current status and future directions’, it is concluded that men have more libido than women(2). The journal of sex research states in a 2011 paper that men think of sex 34.2 times on average daily, and women about 18.6 times. While Psychology Today, in 2020, concludes that in cross-cultural research, it was found that men have greater sex drives than women and that their drive is consistent, unlike women. But surveys show that it might be women who might be having more sex- hence sexually active. Sexual arousal and sexual activity both are different when it comes to at what age do females become sexually active, we should bear this in mind. 

Why Cannot Females Become Sexually Active? 

It is to be concluded, on the basis of many studies, that men and women have the same desire for sexual activity. But for women, there are some factors that stand as a roadblock to achieving their desire. 

Pregnancy 

During pregnancy, women are reported to have less libido, a decrease in sexual activity and feelings of being less attractive. Pregnancy with its complications and hormonal fluctuations can make them feel not ready for sex. Hormone shifts at each trimester will reduce sexual desire and the resultant sexual activity. 

Childbirth 

When lactating, women produce prolactin, which is a hormone which helps with milk production but unfortunately, it suppresses sex drive. Your sleep, and your routines, all going berserk, will also impact your level of sexual activity. Breastfeeding, fatigue associated with raising kids and drops in oestrogen levels after childbirth will affect how much females get sexually active. 

Perimenopause 

Another important factor to consider while talking about at what age do females become sexually active is perimenopause. It is the time leading up to menopause, which causes significant changes in your sex life due to physical discomforts like delayed orgasms, and decreased libido and arousal. Vaginal dryness, pain, delayed periods, unexpected periods, birth control methods, hormonal changes, etc. can make women sexually not so active. 

Why Cannot Females Become Sexually Active? 

Lifestyle Changes 

Lifestyle changes like changing jobs or a change of location of residence can make women more or less active in sex. Having children and adjusting to the new lifestyle will definitely define how much women can be sexually active. 

Stress 

Stress can prevent you from being sexually active… It brings sexual fantasies and arousal to a halt for a woman. Job-related, and family-related stress easily bogs down women and they find it difficult to engage in sex with these in mind. 

Partner 

Having an understanding and supportive partner will help in keeping women sexually active. At what age females become sexually active depends on the factors like satisfaction in the relationship, trust and security. 

Diseases 

Physically debilitating diseases like arthritis, nervous problems, or conditions like fractures can lead to no sexual activity. Anxiety and depression also can wreck the sexual activities of females. Medicines taken for physical conditions can also do enough damage and make women sexually not so sexually active. Antidepressants are notorious for functioning that way. 

Hormones 

Hormonal changes induced by the use of oral contraceptives can also dampen women’s appetite for sex. The hormonal changes, even during the monthly cycle, well affect sexual desire in women. Lifestyles and diet also play a role in deciding the hormonal composition of their body.

Sex hormones like testosterone oestrogen progesterone play an important role in bringing about sexual desire, arousal and orgasm. When you start progressing in your age, these hormones will take a dip and it can lead to a lower sex drive this is also one factor to be considered while discussing at what age do females become sexually active.

Signs That A Female Is Not Sexually Active!

  • No sexual activity: The obvious telltale sign of a female not being sexually active is the lack of sexual activity. She may not have sex or be interested in the act which leads up to sex. She may not even involve in self-love with masturbation. 
  • No Fantasizing: Sexually active women will have fantasies and will get easily tickled by sexual thoughts and fantasies about men. Having no fantasies is a sign of a female who is not sexually active. 
  • No Arousal: When a female is not sexually active, she may not find touch, sexually explicit imagery, porn, etc. Interesting or arousing enough to lead to an act of masturbation. She could be concerned if she got frigid as well. 

Sex is a natural phenomenon which has been a taboo topic for discussion in many cultures. In Holland, where kids are allowed to discuss sex even when grandparents are around, there are few chances for them to go astray in the act, and they tend to make informed choices.

So at what age do females become sexually active? Being sexually active is a matter of choice. There is a sea of differences between being sexually active and being sexually interested. Sexually interested is a personal thing while being sexually active is a two-person thing. It cannot be fully determined by any factor other than health. 

So, the chimney is cleaned daily or monthly, it’s your call, babes! Stay in great health and enjoy the act without being concerned about your level of activity! Cheers to life♥️ 

  1. Elsevier. (2023). Sexual Satisfaction in Women Increases with Age. (Online). Available at:

    https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/research-and-journals/sexual-satisfaction-in-women-increases-with-age
  2. ResearchGate GmbH. ( 2008-2023). The Dual Control Model: Current Status and Future Directions. (Online). Available at:

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24222042_The_Dual_Control_Model_Current_Status_and_Future_Directions

Subscribe to Newsletter

Elevate your routine, stay on trend, and embrace a personalized beauty journey with our curated insights.


rani

Rani is a women’s lifestyle coach with a knack for translating high fashion into accessible, everyday looks. She has helped countless women embrace their personal style, fostering confidence and self-expression.

Reviewer name


Reviewer bio

Write a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *