Changes In Middle Adulthood

Turning 50 years old and beginning the developmental period phase of one’s life, considered ‘middle adulthood’, can contain a mixture of emotions and feelings. This period in one’s life can be a time of declining physical skills, and expanding responsibility with a combination of new opportunities. Lachmen discusses that middle adulthood involves “balancing work and relationship responsibilities in the midst of the physical and psychological changes associated with aging” (Santrock, 485). In conclusion, physical changes, sexuality, leisure, information processing most significantly influence the experience of turning 50 years old. During middle adult years, it is normal for individuals to experience some physical changes, although these physical changes vary across individuals. The most visible sign of physical change involves physical appearance with the skin beginning to wrinkle or sag and age spots begin to be produced from skin pigmentation. Also hair may become more thin and gray as a result of lower replacement rate and decline in melanin production. Individuals commonly lose height and gain weight, while experiencing lose of muscle mass and strength. It is also common for vision and hearing

Menopause is the “cessation of a woman’s menstrual periods” and typically occurs during the late forties or early fifties (Santrock, 491). In menopause it is common to experience uncomfortable symptoms, such as, hot flashes, fatigue, nausea and rapid heartbeat. These symptoms are related to the decline of estrogen produced by the ovaries. It is not uncommon for middle-aged adults to have sex less frequently. Common sexual problems of older women consist of lack of sexual interest and lubrication difficulties, and common sexual problems for men consist of premature ejaculation and erectile