Most
older people want and are able to enjoy an active, satisfying
sex life. Regular sexual activity helps maintain sexual ability.
However, over time everyone may notice a slowing of response.
This is part of the normal aging process.
Normal
Physical Changes With Age Women may notice changes
in the shape and flexibility of the vagina. These changes may
not cause a serious loss in the ability to enjoy sex. Most women
will have a decrease in vaginal lubrication that affects sexual
pleasure. A pharmacist can suggest over the counter vaginal lubricants.
Men
often notice more distinct changes. It may take longer to get
an erection or the erection may not be as firm or as large as
in earlier years. The feeling that an ejaculation is about to
happen may be shorter. The loss of erection after orgasm may be
more rapid or it may take longer before an erection is again possible.
Some men may find they need more manual stimulation.
As
men get older, impotence seems to increase, especially in men
with heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Impotence is the
loss of ability to achieve and maintain an erection hard enough
for sexual intercourse. Talk to your doctor. For many men impotence
can be managed and perhaps even reversed.
Effects
of Illness or Disability
Although illness or disability can affect sexuality, even the
most serious conditions shouldn’t stop you from having a
satisfying sex life.
Heart
disease. Many people who have had a heart attack are afraid
that having sex will cause another attack. The risk of this is
very low. Follow your doctor’s advice. Most people can start
having sex again 12 to 16 weeks after an attack.
Diabetes.
Most men with diabetes do not have problems, but it is one of
the few illnesses that can cause impotence. In most cases medical
treatment can help.
Stroke.
Sexual function is rarely damaged by a stroke and it is unlikely
that sexual exertion will cause another stroke. Using different
positions or medical devices can help make up for any weakness
or paralysis.
Arthritis.
Joint pain due to arthritis can limit sexual activity. Surgery
and drugs may relieve this pain. In some cases drugs can decrease
sexual desire. Exercise, rest, warm baths, and changing the position
or timing of sexual activity can be helpful.
Surgery
Most people worry about having any kind of surgery--it is especially
troubling when the sex organs are involved. The good news is that
most people do return to the kind of sex life they enjoyed before
having surgery.
Hysterectomy
is the surgical removal of the womb. Performed correctly, a hysterectomy
does not hurt sexual functioning. If a hysterectomy seems to take
away from your ability to enjoy sex, a counselor can be helpful.
Men who feel their partners are “less feminine” after
a hysterectomy can also be helped by counseling.
Mastectomy
is the surgical removal of all or part of a woman’s breast.
Although her body is as capable of sexual response as ever, a
woman may lose her sexual desire or her sense of being desired.
Sometimes it is useful to talk with other women who have had a
mastectomy. Programs like the American Cancer Society’s (ACS)
“Reach to Recovery” can be helpful for both women and
men. Check your phone book for the local ACS listing.
Prostatectomy
is the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate. Sometimes
a prostatectomy needs to be done because of an enlarged prostate.
This procedure rarely causes impotence. If a radical prostatectomy
(removal of prostate gland) is needed, new surgical techniques
can save the nerves going to the penis and an erection may still
be possible. If your sexuality is important to you, talk to your
doctor before surgery to make sure you will be able to lead a
fully satisfying sex life.
Other
issues
Alcohol.
Too much alcohol can reduce potency in men and delay orgasm
in women.
Medicines.
Antidepressants, tranquilizers, and certain high blood pressure
drugs can cause impotence. Some drugs can make it difficult for
men to ejaculate. Some drugs reduce a woman’s sexual desire.
Check with your doctor. She or he can often prescribe a drug without
this side effect.
Masturbation.
This sexual activity can help unmarried, widowed, or divorced
people and those whose partners are ill or away.
AIDS.
Anyone who is sexually active can be at risk for being infected
with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Having safe sex is important
for people at every age. Talk with your doctor about ways to protect
yourself from AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. You
are never too old to be at risk.
Emotional
Concerns
Sexuality is often a delicate balance of emotional and physical
issues. How we feel may affect what we are able to do. For example,
men may fear impotence will become a more frequent problem as
they age. But, if you are too worried about impotence, you can
create enough stress to cause it. As a woman ages, she may become
more anxious about her appearance. This emphasis on youthful physical
beauty can interfere with a woman’s ability to enjoy sex.
Older
couples may have the same problems that affect people of any age.
But they may also have the added concerns of age, retirement and
other lifestyle changes, and illness. These problems can cause
sexual difficulties. Talk openly with your doctor or see a therapist.
These health professionals can often help.
Reference:
from theNational Institute on Aging
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