Highlights:
- Senior sex is still treated as a big taboo in America.
- Depression and other mental health conditions are common among older people.
- Satisfying solo or partner sex can boost your mental health.
- Research suggests sexual activity plays a role in maintaining cognitive function.
- Accept that your sex life is changing and adapt to your physical capabilities.
- Don’t let erectile dysfunction get in the way – ask your doctor for an effective ED treatment.
Senior sex is one of the last taboos in America. You rarely get to see a movie featuring a couple in their sixties or older making passionate love. No matter what others think, a satisfying sex life in older age is good for you — it can even safeguard your mental health!
The Crisis of Senior Mental Health
Senior mental health is linked to diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. But older people struggle with many other emotional problems, as well. For example, 14.2 percent of Americans aged 65 or older suffer from depression.
Other serious conditions include anxiety and substance abuse (especially misuse of opioid medication). Senior men in particular are at a high risk of mental health issues and suicide.
Seniors need access to medication and psychological counseling to restore mental health. Unfortunately, many older people are ashamed to admit they have mental health concerns. Others can’t access therapy or see a psychiatrist due to insurance limitations or long waiting times.
And what about mental health prevention? Doctors tell older patients to exercise, get enough sleep, or join a social club. There is, however, one thing they overlook, a simple way to nurture emotional health in advanced age: sexual pleasure. Sexual activity may help prevent mental health disorders and speed up treatment.
Psychological Benefits of Senior Sex
Physicians rarely prescribe seniors a healthy dose of sexual pleasure – and they should! Regular intimacy or solo play bring lots of benefits for your mental health. Here are some of them:
- It helps reduce stress. Sexual arousal and orgasm trigger the release of a powerful cocktail of feel-good hormones and chemicals. At the same time, stress hormone levels drop.
- It’s a natural sleep aid. Do you know that relaxed feeling that follows an orgasm? You’re tired but calm and ready to doze off. Next time, before reaching for a sleeping pill, try a little sexy time.
- It bolsters your cognitive functions. Satisfying sex can assist you in maintaining sharp thinking, memory, and other cognitive abilities. According to a longitudinal scientific analysis, older adults (aged 62 to 74) who reported good quality of sex life had better cognitive function scores. People between 75 and 90 who had more frequent sex also ranked better on the cognitive scales!
- It may prevent depression. Good sex, solo or with a partner, is an instant mood booster. Add to that the release of feel-good chemicals and improved sleep quality, and it’s safe to say that a fulfilling sex life is an important factor in mental health prevention.
- It promotes better self-esteem. We all want to feel loved and accepted. Having sex with a partner can make you feel appreciated. Seeing how they enjoy making love to you can reassure you that you’re worthy of affection, no matter your age.
- It’s good for your relationship. Many couples grow distant later in life, and lack of sex is often at least partly to blame. Even if your libido is at an all-time low, making a conscious choice to kiss, caress, and do pleasurable activities together can rekindle your bond as a couple.
- It may stave off dementia. Scientists have reason to believe that staying sexually active plays a role in dementia prevention. A study conducted on a group of people aged 50 to 83 revealed that engaging in erotic activities at least once a week was linked to better scores in cognitive function assessments, covering working memory and executive function.
Intimacy Tips for Older Adults
Ready to rekindle your sex life and reap the mental health benefits? You may find yourself lost in the sea of online sex advice these days. Most internet tips are addressed to younger audiences, so you need to make an effort to find resources and books on senior sex.
Here are some tips to improve sexual wellness for seniors:
- Give yourself the right to be sexual. If you keep telling yourself that at a certain age you’re not supposed to show interest in eroticism, you’ll lose a chance to have fun. Everyone has the right to pleasure — sex is not reserved for the wrinkle-free! And what if you’re senior and single? Senior dating and sex is a thing! Dating apps allow you to search for people who share your interests, and there are dating services dedicated to older singles.
- Accept that your sex life will be different. Many seniors give up on intimacy because their sexual reality is nowhere near what they remember from their younger years. We may not be able to do some things, due to poor health or disability, but there’s still a lot to explore. Maintaining sexual desire after 60 takes more effort than in your twenties, but it’s well worth the effort!
- Explore alternative forms of intimacy. For some aging couples, intercourse is a rare event due to strong pain or erectile dysfunction. Instead of switching off sexually, find ways to play without penetration. Use your hands, mouth, sex toys, and imagination!
- Learn open communication. If you’re in your sixties or older, there’s a chance you grew up with no sex education. You may believe that sex is supposed to “just happen.” If you want to make the most of intimacy, it’s time to learn how to talk about these things. Yes, it’s awkward, but it gets easier the more you do it. Watch an educational film and have a conversation about it. Or get a few sessions with a sex therapist and learn to say the names of private body parts out loud.
“As we age, arousal happens more slowly and subtly. As a result, it can be harder to notice, so we may think we’re not becoming aroused, even when we actually are.”- Joan Price “Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud About Senior Sex”
Overcoming Sexual Health Issues
Whether you’re 25 or 75, you must take good care of your sexual health. Get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you’re at risk. Use condoms and latex barriers for protection if you have more than one trusted partner. Get regular medical checkups to catch genital cancer and prostate problems early.
If you struggle with erectile dysfunction, know that it’s very common for men over 60. Speak to your healthcare provider about effective treatments, such as Viagra, Cialis, vardenafil (formerly Levitra), or Stendra.
Seniors Have the Right To Enjoy Sex
Satisfying sex life is as important for physical and mental health in older age as diet or exercise.
Pleasure and orgasms are good for your mental health. They can help you stay in good spirits, and may even play a role in preventing dementia.
Find sexual activities that feel good, adapt them to your health and fitness level, and have fun!
eDrugstore.com Supports Senior Sexual Health
At eDrugstore, we believe that everyone has the right to healthy pleasure. We offer a range of products to enhance intimacy and protect sexual health at any age. We even offer free online medical consultations to help you choose the right medication for you, and one of our U.S.-licensed physicians will write your prescription. Visit our erectile dysfunction page to get started. Shipping is discreet and always free.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about health and related topics but is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Anka Grzywacz is a sexologist, reproductive health expert and Certified Sex Coach™. In her online practice she helps busy women and couples solve their intimate problems.