LOVING LIFE

More and more mature couples are rekindling that romantic spark.

THE notion that grey hair, creaky knees and wrinkles equals a lack of romance has been blown out of the water by star of stage and screen Judi Dench.

The 82-year-old Oscar winner, who once played sexpot Sally Bowles in Cabaret, has revealed she still enjoys an active love life with her boyfriend David Mills, 74.

And she urged other older couples not to dampen down their feelings. Dame Judi, whose latest film Victoria And Abdul has received wide critical acclaim, revealed to the Radio Times: “Of course you still feel desire. Does that ever go? To the older reader, I would say, ‘Don’t give up!’”

So, how can the rest of us keep passion alive in our later years?

Here, sex and relationships expert KATE TAYLOR, explains how to get your spark back at any age.

50S - A GREAT DECADE TO EXPLORE FANTASIES PROBLEM: HORMONES

IN your fifties, hormones can run wild, reducing your sex drive dramatically. The average age of the menopause is 51.

Even the early stages can lead to mood swings, fluctuating body temperature and weight gain, which dampen a woman’s feeling of sexiness. For men, dropping levels of testosterone can cause tiredness and loss of sexual desire.

SOLUTION

If you are having a rough ride with the menopause, research female wellness remedies or see your doctor about natural HRT.

For men, heavy drinking and weight gain can affect testosterone levels, resulting in lower sex drive, so stick to a healthy diet. Both sexes should embrace exercise.

This is a good decade to explore your emotions. You are comfortable with each other, so make time to discover each other’s feelings.

60S – USE EMPTY HOUSE TO MAKE TIME FOR LOVE PROBLEM: RETIREMENT

The kids have flown the nest, leaving the house feeling very quiet, and now one or both of you have retired.

This is a time where many people reassess their life’s purpose.

You might also suddenly be spending far more time than usual with your partner.

SOLUTION

You have time on your hands, a partner and an empty house? This is the perfect decade to enjoy love at any point of the day.

Women have been shown to prefer sex at around 4pm, whereas men’s hormones make them sprightly at 7am.

Why not meet in the middle and have long lunches together and an afternoon of love afterwards?

If you have a bit of extra cash in the bank after paying off the mortgage and having two or three fewer mouths to feed, revive the spark on romantic holidays to your dream locations.

70S – MORE TIME FOR SENSUAL FOREPLAY PROBLEM: HEALTH

The natural ageing process means that knees, hips and backs stiffen up in our seventies.

Other health worries, such as high blood pressure, heart problems, arthritis and more, can also loom large over couples in this decade and put a dampener on sex.

■■SOLUTION

Don’t avoid sex just because you’re not as nimble as you used to be.

The health benefits of sex are huge, whatever decade you are in, and are well documented. It’s also a proven mood-booster and antidepressant.

If you can no longer manage the more adventurous positions you favoured in your youth, use this time to really learn your stuff when it comes to foreplay.

Make more time for lots of slow, sensual massage and exploration.

80S ONWARD – DAME JUDI’S GENERATION ■■PROBLEM: LONELINESS

Some couples are lucky enough to enter their eighties together, but many may have lost the love of their life or have become separated from them due to illness and one being in hospital or a residential home.

A lack of company can leave you feeling alone.

■■SOLUTION

Embrace Dame Judi’s attitude – throw yourself into life and make an extra effort to keep your libido alive.

She lost her husband Michael Williams in 2001 but met conservationist David Mills seven years ago – and they are still going strong. You are NOT over the hill.