Sexuality, Pleasure of Life (Sexualidad, placer de toda la vida)

Mario Rivas
22 de Octubre del 2008

Seniors often face many social and cultural obstacles to sexuality along with medical conditions and physical changes that alter their ability to experience intimacy. Sexology and medicine that may offer solutions for these impediments.

We must recognize that there are many taboos and prejudices surrounding the sexuality of the elderly. These are based on stereotypes of the elderly where grandmother is tender and grandfather is a big child, ultimately making them asexual.

These assumptions are based on incomplete observations and are poorly substantiated (for example, it is assumed that in the reduction in frequency of intercourse, the ability and desire will eventually disappear altogether). This belief goes hand in hand with the overall idea that the elderly eventually become useless. In this belief, they may become fearful and withdrawn, and hide behind diseases that in no way affect their sexual performance, in order to avoid tension and nervousness that generates insecurity.

There are certainly serious illnesses such as heart and lung disease which affect the overall health of the individual, but it appears that many patients only use these as an excuse to evade their partner, as there is no real effect to sexual performance in the long term.

So while in some individuals there is the sense of danger and inability to maintain relationships after suffering a heart attack, for example, medical science today has a number of resources (drugs, surgery) to address these issues. Further, we know that one or two months after an episode sexual activity can resume without risk, and very few reasons to support abstention.

There are no long-term negative effects.

Broadly speaking, one can say that there are diseases that come with age that affect the body and thus interfere with sexual response, like diabetes, hypertension or metabolic, hormonal and nervous disorders. All of these, however, can be treated by doctors, endocrinologists and geriatricians who have the necessary resources and can improve the lives of their patients.

Finally, women at this age usually have a normal response to sexuality, but may experience pain because of lack of lubrication. This is perhaps one of the simplest problems to solve as there are products (gels) specially created for this issue. Non-irritating, they are accessible and allow the couple enjoy sex, though it may also be worth a visit to the gynecologists and geriatrician.

Since most medical obstacles may be resolved, the only prevention of sexuality appears to be the misconceptions around seniors. Surveys of the elderly who want to maintain sexual activity show that life can go on with little or no limitation, as long as they have adequate support and guidance as well as the necessary communication, understanding and affection of their partner. After all, spending time together, sharing and listening are necessary ingredients for any act of love.

(Translated from original source: http://www.globalaging.org/health/us/2008/life.htm)