|
|||||||||||
 |
Aging Well
'Too Old' for Sex?Though age does bring changes, there’s no reason to believe in that myth! People are living longer and living better today. At the same time, there’s a growing openness about sexuality and sexual health—and a realization that, while the years do bring changes, you’re never too old for a close and satisfying physical relationship. Here’s what you should know…
Sexuality and the Older WomanThere’s no “normal” level of sexual desire for a woman before or after menopause, says Marisa Mastropietro, M.D., urogynecologist at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. It’s highly individual. But there are midlife physical changes that can affect desire.“The drop in estrogen after menopause causes the vagina to become drier and less elastic,” Mastropietro says. “This can make intercourse uncomfortable. There is also a drop in testosterone, the hormone that drives sexual desire. And if you have hot flashes, night sweats or sleep disturbances with menopause, you may feel too tired for sex.” For various reasons including childbearing, some older women experience weakening of the vaginal walls and widening of the opening. They may avoid intimacy because of decreased sensation or concern about further damage. Aging also brings a higher risk of general health problems like arthritis and heart disease that can affect sexual activity. Then there are the lifestyle changes of midlife, such as empty nest, job stress or early retirement—not to mention graying hair and drooping breasts that can make a 50-something woman in a youth-obsessed society feel downright undesirable. For many women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps. “It restores vaginal lubrication,” Mastropietro says, “and in time, sexual responsiveness. If you can’t or prefer not to take HRT, there are vaginal creams, rings or dissolving tablets that provide hormone where it’s needed.” These prescription products actually restore vaginal tissue; over-the-counter products like Replens simply lubricate. Don’t overlook the impact of an overall healthy lifestyle on sexuality: diet, exercise and quitting smoking can make a big difference. And don’t think you’re being “selfish” for wanting sexual fulfillment. “Women often put themselves second out of embarrassment or inhibition,” Mastropietro says. “Talk it over with your partner and your doctor. It may take only a simple treatment to bring back the pleasure—and there’s no reason why sexuality can’t blossom at any age." Sexuality and the Older ManMen don’t face a hormone shift as dramatic as a woman’s menopause, but there is a midlife change in sexuality all the same. After age 40, they gradually produce less testosterone, the male hormone responsible for energy and sexual drive. This slow change can be profound enough that it’s sometimes called “male menopause.”“Lower testosterone reduces a man’s energy, muscle and bone mass, appetite and general well-being,” says John Jaffe, M.D., Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network urologist. “The urge to have sex declines, erections take longer and ejaculations are weaker. But these changes, including your risk of erectile dysfunction, vary greatly depending on overall health.” Erectile dysfunction (the inability to achieve and maintain an erection) affects 30 million American men. But lower testosterone production alone shouldn’t cause it. An erection depends mainly on adequate blood flow to the penis, so anything that constricts blood flow can affect the erection, Jaffe says. The leading cause of erectile dysfunction is hardening of the arteries. Other common causes are diabetes, high blood pressure, medications such as antidepressants, and prostate surgery. Smoking, heavy alcohol use and obesity also contribute. To maintain good sexual health, Jaffe recommends that men exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, stay away from tobacco products and drink only in moderation. “If you’re physically fit, you’ll feel better and have fewer erection problems as you age,” he says. “It’s perfectly possible to be sexually active well into your 80s.” Men who do have problems should know that the condition is treatable, Jaffe says. The first step is to talk with your doctor about lifestyle and medication changes. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe Viagra, the medication that increases blood flow to the penis. It has proven effective in more than 2 million men.
Want to Know More? If you have medical questions about sexuality and aging, call one of our nurses at 610-402-CARE for confidential information or referral to a specialist. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
ARTICLE TOOLS:
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
||||||
