M
Mary Anne PA
What are the sexual issues facing aging men and women?
What changes are associated with aging and sexuality for women?
The hormonal balance in a woman's body begins to change in the years before menopause, or the end of menstruation. This can lead to changes in the menstrual pattern and decreased fertility.
A woman who has gone through menopause may experience genital changes because of lower levels of estrogen in her system. For instance, the walls of the vagina and the lips of the vulva become thinner. There is also a gradual decrease of vaginal secretions so that it may take longer for a woman to become aroused and to produce lubrication. These genital changes can lead to painful intercourse. Use of a lubricant or estrogen cream may ease some of this discomfort.
What about sexual pleasure?
The quality of a woman's sexual life is more dependent on her general life situation than on whether she has experienced menopause. Relationship issues, general physical and mental health, and body image all affect a woman'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 a man ages and enters midlife, he could notice that it takes longer to get an erection and may need more stimulation. 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 is a common problem – this is when a man can't get or keep an erection hard enough to have sex. Fear of failure can lead to problems getting and keeping an erection. Therefore, it's important for men to be aware of the changes that can occur with the normal aging process.
Certain health conditions can cause erectile difficulty or reduce sexual desire. Some examples include 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 STIs and HIV?
Yes. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are not just diseases of the young. People of all ages and sexual orientations should use condoms to prevent the transmission of STIs and HIV. It's important that doctors and patients communicate openly about sexual behaviour at any age.
There are many ways of being sexual and as we age we can re-examine and possibly redefine what sexuality means to us. For example, some men and women continue to enjoy partner sex or masturbation, while others choose celibacy (not having sex) or non-genital forms of expressing intimacy (i.e. massage, hugging, holding hands).
What changes are associated with aging and sexuality for women?
The hormonal balance in a woman's body begins to change in the years before menopause, or the end of menstruation. This can lead to changes in the menstrual pattern and decreased fertility.
A woman who has gone through menopause may experience genital changes because of lower levels of estrogen in her system. For instance, the walls of the vagina and the lips of the vulva become thinner. There is also a gradual decrease of vaginal secretions so that it may take longer for a woman to become aroused and to produce lubrication. These genital changes can lead to painful intercourse. Use of a lubricant or estrogen cream may ease some of this discomfort.
What about sexual pleasure?
The quality of a woman's sexual life is more dependent on her general life situation than on whether she has experienced menopause. Relationship issues, general physical and mental health, and body image all affect a woman'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 a man ages and enters midlife, he could notice that it takes longer to get an erection and may need more stimulation. 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 is a common problem – this is when a man can't get or keep an erection hard enough to have sex. Fear of failure can lead to problems getting and keeping an erection. Therefore, it's important for men to be aware of the changes that can occur with the normal aging process.
Certain health conditions can cause erectile difficulty or reduce sexual desire. Some examples include 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 STIs and HIV?
Yes. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are not just diseases of the young. People of all ages and sexual orientations should use condoms to prevent the transmission of STIs and HIV. It's important that doctors and patients communicate openly about sexual behaviour at any age.
There are many ways of being sexual and as we age we can re-examine and possibly redefine what sexuality means to us. For example, some men and women continue to enjoy partner sex or masturbation, while others choose celibacy (not having sex) or non-genital forms of expressing intimacy (i.e. massage, hugging, holding hands).
