Added to the many indignities that advancing age thrusts upon those in their so-called golden years is the knowledge that nobody really wants to hear about their sex lives, fulfilling though they may be. In fact, it was not until a few years into the new millennium that the first comprehensive, nationally representative survey on the sex lives of older Americans was even undertaken.
That landmark study, published in a 2007 issue of “The New England Journal of Medicine,” revealed that many older Americans continue to remain sexually active well into their 60s, 70s, and even 80s. However, perhaps because sex among seniors is somehow considered an unseemly topic by younger folks, not enough attention is paid to the unique — and not so unique — sexual problems and dangers faced by older men and women.
Findings of 2007 Study
The 2007 study, led by Stacy Tessler Lindau, M.D., of the University of Chicago, surveyed 3,005 American men and women ranging in age from 57 to 85. Not surprisingly, the survey revealed that the prevalence of sexual activity declined with age. However, among those 57 to 64 years of age, 73 percent were sexually active, a percentage that dropped to 53 among those who were 65 to 74 and to 26 percent among those 75 to 85.
In addition to its revelations about the prevalence of sexual activity among the elderly, the survey also provided some valuable insights into the sexual problems facing that age group. At least half of those responding to the survey reported at least one bothersome sexual problem. Among women, the most common sexual problems were low desire, reported by 43 percent of female respondents, difficulty with vaginal lubrication (39 percent), and inability to climax (34 percent). The primary problem reported by male respondents was erectile dysfunction, reported by 37 percent.
Perhaps the most alarming finding from the University of Chicago study is the apparent disinclination of seniors to discuss their sexual problems with their doctors. Asked if they had discussed sex with a physician after the age of 50, 38 percent of men said they had, but only 22 percent of women said they had done the same.
For those seniors who remain sexually active but hesitate — for whatever reason — to talk about sex with a medical professional, here are some important points to keep in mind to stay healthy and continue to enjoy a sexual dimension to their lives.
1. Safe Sex Is Still a Must
It really doesn’t matter whether you’re old or young when it comes to the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, However, data collected by the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior shows that condom use for vaginal intercourse is lowest among older Americans. Its study revealed that condoms are used by only 5.1 percent of male respondents over 61 and insisted upon by only 7.1 percent of female respondents in the same age group.
This apparent disregard of the importance of safe sex has produced some alarming statistics on the prevalence of STDs among older Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that people 50 and older accounted for 50 percent of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses and 24 percent of Americans living with HIV/AIDS. On top of that, the CDC reports that the incidence of chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, and syphilis among older Americans nearly doubled from 1996 to 2003.
2. Aging Produces Natural Changes
As they grow older, both men and women experience natural changes that impact their sex lives. In most cases, these changes don’t mean that sexual activity must end, but they do require some adjustments. For example, women are likely to find that their level of natural vaginal lubrication declines, which can be counterbalanced by the use of commercial lubricating aids. Older men are likely to find that it takes them longer to get an erection, and for some getting and keeping an erection long and strong enough for sexual intercourse may prove impossible. In such cases, patience or the use of a prescription ED medication can circumvent these problems.
3. Check Your Medicine Cabinet
A wide array of prescription drugs can interfere with the sex lives of men and women of all ages. Because older folks tend to be taking more medications, it increases the likelihood that one or more of the drugs they are taking diminishes sexual function. Some medications make it difficult or even impossible for a man to get an erection, while others may lessen a woman’s desire for sex. According to WebMD, such drugs include antidepressants, antihistamines, appetite depressants, blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, and tranquilizers. If you suspect that one of the drugs you are taking is causing sexual problems, consult your doctor to see if a less problematic alternative medication is available.
4. Stay Healthy
The healthier you are, the longer you’re likely to be able to maintain a fulfilling sex life. Arthritis, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, incontinence, and other such disorders and diseases can make it more difficult to have and enjoy sexual activity. If you’ve managed to avoid such health problems thus far, it’s important that you do whatever you can to stay healthy. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, quit smoking, and minimize your alcohol consumption. And if you’ve already fallen victim to one of these ailments, you should work closely with your doctor to minimize its negative effects on your sexual function.
Major surgery of any kind necessarily interferes with your sex life, at least temporarily. And there are certain surgeries that can have an even more profound effect on sexual function. For women, neither hysterectomy nor mastectomy directly interferes with sexual function, but these surgeries do have an emotional or mental component that may leave a woman feeling somehow less of a woman after they’ve been performed. As a result, a woman’s interest and/or desire for sex might decline significantly. In such cases, professional counseling is advisable.
For men, prostatectomy — surgery to remove part or all of the prostate gland — can prove even more problematic. Such surgery can cause irreparable damage to the nerves that go to the penis and negatively affect erectile function. Fortunately, the availability of nerve-sparing surgical techniques has lessened the incidence of such damage. However, this surgery can also exert a negative psychological effect on men that is reflected in a diminution of sexual function. Here, too, counseling may help.
If you’d like to read additional articles about sexual function and other topics of interest to health consumers, check out our blog.
Don Amerman is a freelance author who writes extensively about a wide array of nutrition and health-related topics.
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