Independent medical expert answers
on psychiatry and psychology

Old Age and Sex

Written by: Wendy Moelker, psychologist in charge of Emergis, Goes, the Netherlands.
First version: 22 Jul 2008. Latest version: 22 Jul 2008.

Abstract:

Describes the occurrence of and problems with sex for elderly people.

Question:

sex in late life?

Answer:

It is often believed that old people don't have sex anymore. This turns out to be untrue. More variants are invented for making love, because certain positions are not possible anymore. For most women around the age of 50, the menopause occurs. Besides all kinds of psychological and social changes there are also a number of hormonal changes. These hormonal changes make the mucous membrane thinner and more sensitive to pain and it gets damaged more easily. This can lead to pain while making love. However, it's not just the hormones that play a role. Women get psychologically aroused less quickly. Old men ejaculate less quickly; sometimes the desire to make love is also much reduced. Erection problems occur more often. In most cases the frequency of making love is lower, but the pleasure in making love increases. This also depends on the quality of the relationship and how the partners treat each other.
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