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Sexuality is a big part of being human. Love, affection and sexual intimacy all play a role in healthy relationships. They also contribute to your sense of well-being and therefore your overall health, especially as one ages.
Here are some questions and answers about sexual health and aging from the National Institutes of Health:
What’s normal?
Normal aging brings physical changes in both men and women. These changes sometimes affect the ability to have and enjoy sex. A woman may notice changes in her vagina. As a woman ages, her vagina can shorten and narrow. Her vaginal walls can become thinner and also a little stiffer. Most women will have less vaginal lubrication. Talk with your doctor about these problems.
As men get older, impotence (also called erectile dysfunction—ED) becomes more common. ED is not a problem if it happens every now and then, but if it occurs often, talk with your doctor.
What causes sexual problems?
Some illnesses, disabilities, medicines and surgeries can affect your ability to have and enjoy sex. Problems in your relationship can also affect your ability to enjoy sex. In most cases, medical treatment can help.
As one ages, can they stop worrying about protection?
Age does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Older people who are sexually active may be at risk for diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, genital herpes, hepatitis B, genital warts and trichomoniasis. Almost anyone who is sexually active is also at risk of being infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Talk with your partner. You are never too old to be at risk.
Can emotions play a part?
Sexuality is often a delicate balance of emotional and physical issues. How you feel may affect what you are able to do. Many older couples find greater satisfaction in their sex life than they did when they were younger. They have fewer distractions, more time and privacy, no worries about getting pregnant, and intimacy with a lifelong partner.
Older couples face the same daily stresses that affect people of any age. They may also have the added concerns of age, illness, retirement, and other lifestyle changes, all of which may lead to sexual difficulties. Try not to blame yourself or your partner. You may find it helpful to talk to a therapist.
Did you know?
Having sex at least once per week can lower a man’s risk of heart disease by 30 percent, stroke by 50 percent and diabetes by 40 percent.
What kind of doctor treats sexual problems in seniors?
Following are three types of doctors that deal with sexual issues:
- Primary care physician: In insurance parlance, a primary cared physician provides primary care and acts as a gatekeeper to control access to other medical services.
- Gynecologists treat conditions and diseases specific to women and girls, especially those affecting the reproductive system.
- Gerontologists treat the biological, psychological and sociological phenomena associated with ging.
5 ways to improve your sex life as you age
1. Make your partner a high priority. Take time to enjoy each other and to understand the changes you both are facing. Try different positions and new times, like having sex in the morning when you both may be well rested.
2. Don’t hurry — you or your partner may need to spend more time touching to become fully aroused.
3. Some older people, especially women, may have trouble finding a romantic or sexual partner. That’s because women tend to live longer than men. To meet new people, try activities that other seniors enjoy.
4. Don’t be afraid to talk with your doctor if you have a problem that affects your sex life.
5. Talk to your partner about your needs. You may find that affection — hugging, kissing, touching, and spending time together — can make a good beginning.
