Sex & Ageing/Andropause
Sex and Ageing/Andropause
Age & Sexual Health
In order to be sexually healthy we must take responsibility to ensure that we protect ourselves and our partners both emotionally and physically no matter what age category we fall into. If you choose to be sexually active make sure you are safe and your relationship is based on mutual respect and agreement.
What should a sex life be like as you grow older?
It is exactly the same as it was when you were younger. You may choose not to engage in any sexual activity at all, at any age, and this is your right. You may simply engage in Masturbation or a variety of activities with any number of partners of either sex. Today in our modern society, there is a much more open and relaxed attitude to sex than there has been. You have a greater freedom of choice now than probably at any other time. You have the right to make your own choices. Don’t allow yourself to be bullied into giving up an activity that can be enjoyable, stimulating and emotionally and physically beneficial.
How does 'normal' ageing affect sexual activity?
There is no single measure of what is normal in sexual activity - it varies from person to person. You have to decide what has been normal for you throughout your own life and consider any changes based on that. Growing older may well affect the quantity of sex you experience, but it does not necessarily have to affect the quality. As the years pass, you can expect to slow down in most physical activities you undertake, and sex is not any different from them. The desire for sex may decline due to hormonal changes in both men and women.
In men, more prolonged manual or oral stimulation may be needed to attain an erection which itself is not as rigid as before. Orgasm may be less frequent and less intense. Ejaculation may be less forceful. The period of time before another erection is possible is likely to be longer.
In women, dryness may make penetration or stimulation of the vagina more difficult, more irritating or even painful. This can be easily resolved by the use of a lubricant. Following the menopause, with vaginal shrinkage, women may even find sex more intense or pleasurable. The lack of anxiety about becoming pregnant may even contribute towards sexual enjoyment.
A few other things can be taken into consideration to improve your sex life in later years. Routine can lead to boredom, which in turn can lead to a lack of arousal. Experimenting may intensify stimulation, and this can be as simple as changing the location in which sex usually takes place. The use of erotic materials or sex toys might also introduce an element of novelty and enhance arousal.
For more information and support in relation to sexual health issues, please contact or make an appointment with one of our local services