What changes are associated with aging and sexuality for women?
In the years before menopause,
a woman’s hormonal balance changes. This can lead to changes in her menstrual
pattern and decreased fertility.
A woman who has gone through menopause will have lower levels of estrogen in
her system, so she may experience genital changes, such as thinning of the walls
of the vagina and the lips of the vulva. Vaginal secretions also tend to decrease,
so it may take longer for a woman to become aroused and to produce lubrication.
These genital changes can cause intercourse to be painful, but using a lubricant
or estrogen cream may help.
What about sexual pleasure?
The quality of a woman's sexual life has more to do with her general life situation
than on her age. Relationship issues, general physical and mental health and
body image all affect someone’s sense of well-being. If a woman has had a positive
attitude towards sex throughout her life and doesn't have many major medical,
family or relationship concerns, then the physical changes that come with aging
aren't likely to affect her sexual enjoyment.
What changes are associated with aging and sexuality for men?
As men age, they may find that it takes longer and they need more stimulation
to get an erection. It may take longer for older men to ejaculate, and once
they've ejaculated it will be longer before they can have another erection.
Erectile
dysfunction, when a man can’t get or keep and erection hard enough to have
sex, is a common problem. Fear of failure can lead to problems getting and
keeping an erection, so it's important for men to be aware of the changes that
can happen as part of the normal aging process.
Some health conditions can cause erectile difficulty or reduce sexual desire,
including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, stroke and heart disease. Medications
that are used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and mental
illness can also cause erectile problems or loss of desire.
Do older adults need to be concerned about sexually transmitted infections
(STIs) and HIV?
Yes. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV don’t just affect young
people. People of all ages and sexual orientations should use condoms to prevent
the transmission of STIs and HIV. It's important that people and their doctors
talk openly about sexual behaviour at any age.
There are many different ways of being sexual, and as people age, they can
re-examine and possibly redefine what sexuality means to them. For example,
some men and women continue to enjoy partner sex or masturbation, while others
choose celibacy or non-genital forms of expressing intimacy, such as massage,
hugging or holding hands.
Additional resources
Body image and identity – Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)
I
am over 50. Does HIV affect me? – Canadian Health Network (CHN)
Intimacy and aging: tips for sexual health and happiness
– Mayo Clinic
Sexuality
in Middle and Later Life: Annotated Bibliography (2002) – Sex Information and Education Council
of the United States (SIECUS)
Sex Over 50 – Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)
Your health: sexuality and the older adult – Calgary
Health Region
Seniors
and Aging - Sexual Activity – Health
Canada
SIECUS Report Sexuality through midlife and aging. Vol. 27 (3) Feb./March
1999
SIECUS Report Sexuality and aging revisited. Vol. 30 (2) Dec. 2001/Jan.
2002
(both issues can be ordered through the SIECUS website)
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