i think a lot of it has to do with power balances within a relationship. for men, i think they need to feel manly to have sex.

and women need to feel beautiful, relaxed & open.

sometimes people want to protect themselves - one rejection can feel painful, while the other person may be thinking about sleep.

people need to feel empowered by a relationship, not disempoewered, emotionally or politically or whatever. if one party feels disempowered, sex can be an invasive experience.

personally i think the best way to keep a relationship going is to keep the physical part happening too. once it drops off, its hard to get excited again.

age has nothing to do with it i think. its all mental.

fred