Sexuality
Aging and Partners' Sexuality
By Xenia Blanchett
Apr 22, 2008

Aging is an inevitable stage of an individual's life. It impacts on one's whole life and all its aspects. During their life time, people change emotionally, physically, socially. It is because they face different impediments, situations, sufferings, diseases, etc. The foregoing conditions are capable to affect directly or indirectly one's sexuality.

For instance, let's analyze social and family changes.
Once young people set goals and future plans, they try to achieve them. But earlier goals may no longer be realistic as persons age. With the age people should accept their limitations as well as their successes. Moreover, they shouldn't focus too much on unrealistic expectations. Many old persons can not adjust to changing circumstances and this is the reason why they become depressed and frustrated.

Old adults' sexuality might be also affected by:

• troubles related to retirement;


• anxiety about children, partner or parents' health;


• worry about financial statement;


• illness, disability or other chronic diseases;


• the death of a trusty friend or other appropriate person;


• the Empty Nest Syndrome (when children leave parents' houses)

The Empty Nest Syndrome usually occurs and affects women. It may lead to identity crisis to them. Mothers may feel disoriented, worthless or may become too focused on themselves and their health. A woman who suffers from this syndrome may become sexually assertive for the first time. Briefly saying the changes in women with Empty Nest Syndrome are either quite positive or threatening.

Numerous old couples face boredom and monotony in their relationship. These conditions influence partners' interest in sex and their sex drive. To improve the relationship individuals are recommended to improve their communication skills first. By communicating people reveal their inner feelings, express what they really consider and feel, thus maintaining trust and intimate satisfaction. Lack of interest in sex in a couple may be a sign of depression, as well. In this situations partners are suggested to opt for a qualified sex therapist, psychotherapy, medicine as they may be of help in overcoming fiascoes.

Old partners' sexuality and libido is also influenced by a bundle of problems regarding physical changes. Women and men have lower levels of hormones with the age. This condition affects a woman's vagina (dryness, tightness), uterus, breasts, a man's penis and testicles that, in their turn, affect one's sexual desire. For instance, because of vaginal dryness women become less sexually aroused and lubricated. This is precisely why partners are recommended to use more lubrication and focus their time and attention on foreplay, kissing, hugging, giving compliments, etc.
Women may recourse to diverse lubricants like creams, arousal lotions or other flavored lubricants and potions for women.
Numerous old men experience difficulties with erection because of certain health conditions such as problems with circulation, for example. Moreover, they may go through depression, fatigue, stress because of lower level of testosterone.

As age comes complete with increasing concerns and health problems, old couples should regularly visit their health care provider and tell him/her about any sudden or worsening sexual problem such as erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness. Even though some short-term sexual problems are common, old persons need to discuss them with an expert. The latter one may counsel, support and prescribe treatment for any sexual concern and condition. In a nutshell, doctors will offer their old patients the possibility to lead a healthy sexual life and enjoy pleasant sex as follows. Like it or not, but sex has no age.