older adults asexual in our portrayals of them or we’ve made sex dirty or a joke. If you get exposed to that across your lifetime, you internalize that and start to feel embarrassed or ashamed of your sexual feelings when you get older.” Dr. Syme says she tells her patients that “there’s no need to be embarrassed about your wants. You’re normal. Giving up sex would leave a big, gaping hole in your life if you decided to just cut it out, if it’s been something that’s important to you throughout your life.” The most common sexual issues older adults encounter
include erectile dysfunction for men (ED) and vaginal dryness for women. ED can often be treated with medication and dry- ness can be treated with over-the-counter lubricants. However, it’s important to discuss these issues with your healthcare pro- vider to explore potential causes and ensure you are getting the appropriate treatment. In addition to the normal aging process, illnesses, disabili-
ties, depression, medication side effects and surgery may impact a person’s ability to enjoy intimacy. Relationship issues can affect intimacy at any age. Chronic pain may make it dif- ficult to enjoy certain sexual positions. Dr. Syme says she encourages patients to communicate with their part- ners and be open to discussing new ways of finding satisfaction that allow them to continue to enjoy an intimate relationship. Maintaining a satisfactory sex life remains impor- tant to the vast majority of adults — both men and women — as they grow older, according to a 2009 study conducted by the University of Chicago Center on Aging. The study found that 71 percent of women and 76 percent of men ages 57 to 64 reported that satisfactory sex was an essential element to maintain-
ing a good relationship. The percentage rose slightly for women ages 75 to 85 (to 73 percent) and fell slightly for men in this age-group (71 percent). The study also found that while fewer adults were sexually active in their later years, those who were active reported having sex fairly often — at least once or twice a week. In fact, the National Institute on Aging advises that many older adults actually find sex more satisfy- ing, because they have fewer distractions, more time and privacy with their partners along with no worries about unwanted pregnancies. However, the agency also stresses that age does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, and encourages older adults to continue to practice safe sex. Finally, Dr. Syme notes that even when
physical limitations may make certain levels of sexual activity difficult or impossible, couples can still enjoy other practices that allow them to remain intimate: “Cuddling, kiss-
ing, holding hands, gazing into each other’s eyes, masturbating — whatever it is, there are many ways for couples to express these feelings and find satisfaction.”
| MATTERS OF HEALTH
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