Editing Sexual dysfunction (section)

===Aging in women===
Whether or not aging directly affects women's sexual functioning during menopause is controversial. However, many studies have demonstrated that aging has a powerful impact on sexual function and dysfunction in women, specifically in the areas of desire, sexual interest, and frequency of orgasm.<ref name="eden"/><ref name="king" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Laumann EO, Paik A, Rosen RC | title = Sexual dysfunction in the United States: prevalence and predictors | journal = JAMA | volume = 281 | issue = 6 | pages = 537–544 | date = February 1999 | pmid = 10022110 | doi = 10.1001/jama.281.6.537 | doi-access = free }}</ref> The primary predictor of sexual response throughout menopause is prior sexual functioning,<ref name="eden" /> which means that it is important to understand how the physiological changes in men and women can affect sexual desire.<ref name="king" /> Despite the apparent negative impact that menopause can have on sexuality and sexual functioning, sexual confidence and well-being can improve with age and menopausal status.<ref name="eden" />

Testosterone, along with its metabolite [[dihydrotestosterone]], is important to normal sexual function in men and women. Dihydrotestosterone is the most prevalent androgen in both men and women.<ref name="king">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kingsberg SA | title = The impact of aging on sexual function in women and their partners | journal = Archives of Sexual Behavior | volume = 31 | issue = 5 | pages = 431–437 | date = October 2002 | pmid = 12238611 | doi = 10.1023/A:1019844209233 | s2cid = 7762943 }}</ref> Testosterone levels in women at age 60 are on average about half of what they were before the women were 40. Although this decline is gradual for most women, those who have undergone [[bilateral oophorectomy]] experience a sudden drop in testosterone levels, as the ovaries produce 40% of the body's circulating testosterone.<ref name="king" />

Sexual desire has been related to three separate components: drive, beliefs and values, and motivation.<ref name="king" /> Particularly in postmenopausal women, drive fades and is no longer the initial step in a woman's sexual response.<ref name="king" />