We don’t often hear conversations about seniors and their sexual activity. Why? There’s really no reason not to talk about it. It’s natural and many seniors enjoy sexual activity. There really is no age limit.
Is It Safe?
Sexual activity can actually be very good for your health! However, since it’s rarely a topic of conversation, you may be wondering if it’s safe. That depends completely on the state of your personal health. If you experience discomfort and have abstained because of that, good news. There may be a simple explanation that can be caused by hormonal issues or HSDD (low sexual desire disorder) to name a couple. These can be successfully treated!
The Myth
Let’s start at the beginning of the senior sexual myth. Because we don’t talk or hear about it, the assumption is that seniors just lose interest in sex. Not true! Not all seniors lose interest. In fact, the odds are that the majority still enjoy all types of intimacy, including intercourse. They just aren’t talking about it! Granted, the frequency may diminish a bit as we age, but the quality will most likely increase, and there are some great benefits in staying sexually active.
The Benefits
As we mentioned earlier, staying sexually active has no age limit. And, there are many benefits of remaining active into your silver years. Research has shown that sexual activity provides the brain with endorphins and oxytocin resulting in a noticeable improvement in a person’s mood and attitude. In short, it benefits your spiritual and emotional health. And there’s more.
According to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologist of Canada (https://sogc.org), sexual activity can be an antidote to aging!
- Boosts your immune system
- Burns fat
- Relieves stress
- Improves mental and physical health
- Helps minimize the risk of incontinence
Seek Help and Advice
Aging does not mean that you will lose your desire for intimacy and sex. If you are experiencing a lack of desire, talk to your Doctor. Be open and honest. And don’t be embarrassed to talk about it as there may be an underlying medical or emotional reason. Hormone issues can play a big role in changing desires and can be easily treated with medications.
Our bodies change as we age. As women, our vagina goes through changes. It can become shorter and narrower, the walls can become thinner, and natural lubrication can lessen. All of this can cause pain resulting in sexual desire diminishing dramatically or completely disappearing.
Solutions?
First and foremost, let’s talk about it! Talk with your Doctor to determine if staying sexually active is right for you and what treatment options you have. Chances are that you’ll discover that staying sexually active is right for you and that there are solutions to make intimacy enjoyable and satisfying again!
