Senior Sexuality: How to Improve Your Sexual Health As You Age
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When it comes to the topic of sex and aging, it’s not uncommon to hear skepticism from those in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.
However, as a urologist specializing in men’s health, I can tell you that an active sex life can have a profound impact on your overall health and happiness, regardless of your age. In this article, we’ll explore why sexual health matters for seniors and how you can enhance your sexual wellbeing as you age.
Why should seniors prioritize sexual health?
The truth is, good sexual health may play a vital role in your overall well-being. I encourage all my patients to seek pleasurable sexual experiences as a means to stay healthy for several compelling reasons:
- Everyone deserves pleasure: Regardless of your age, you deserve pleasure. While the ways you experience pleasure may evolve over the years, it’s worth the effort to find new avenues for feeling good. Moreover, fostering connection and intimacy is crucial for your emotional and cognitive health, and exploring pleasure with a partner can be an excellent way to achieve that
- Sex is exercise: Sex is a form of exercise— perhaps more enjoyable than most forms of exercise.
- Stress relief: We all face stressors in life, but experiencing pleasure through sex is one of the healthiest ways to release stress. It’s far superior to turning to alcohol, drugs, or comfort eating as coping strategies. Sex may help you relax, unwind, and find emotional balance.
Related Read: The Best Senior Sex Movies and TV Shows
Tips for building and sustaining a healthy sex life as you age
You might be thinking, “Dr. Pearlman, having an active sex life in your 70s or 80s sounds great, but things aren’t the same as they were at 25. How can I enjoy pleasurable sex when my body has changed?”
Indeed, our bodies change as we age, and sexual experiences may differ. However, our understanding of human physiology has advanced significantly, opening doors to creative and alternative ways to experience pleasure in later life. Many of these options don’t require a prescription or a doctor’s visit. Here are some ideas to enhance sexual performance and pleasure as you age:
- Explore different aids: As individuals age, it’s not uncommon for them to encounter changes in genital sensitivity, which can sometimes lead to more difficulty achieving climax. In my discussions with patients, I often emphasize the value of incorporating sexual aids and devices into one’s intimate life to enhance pleasure. These tools can benefit individuals of any age, whether they are engaging in solo or partnered experiences. Consider innovative solutions like the FirmTech Max Performance Ring, which serves the dual purpose of helping maintain erections and effectively stimulating female partners. It is comfortable and safe for longer sexual sessions often needed and desired by seniors.Additionally, MysteryVibe offers a diverse range of vibrational products tailored to stimulate vulvar, clitoral, and vaginal tissue, thereby intensifying pleasure for women. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg, as a plethora of other options exist to cater to individual preferences and needs.
Related Read: Why the Crescendo 2 Vibrator Is Considered a Medical Device
- Experiment with positions: Physical changes such as arthritis or joint replacements can limit your ability to assume familiar sexual positions. Positional aids like pillows or wedges, readily available online, can make sex more comfortable by relieving pressure on certain body parts. Consider a sex swing as well; it might seem unconventional, but it can help individuals with mobility issues experience pleasure without needing to support themselves during sex.
- Expand your sensation palette: While we tend to focus on genital pleasure, it’s important to remember that the brain is our largest sex organ. It’s never too late to explore other areas of the body for pleasure. Techniques such as prostate massage, perineum massage, and nipple stimulation can offer alternative pathways to sexual satisfaction.
Embrace the possibilities of senior sexuality
Sexual health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, especially for seniors. Pleasure is accessible at any age if you remain open to new experiences and expand your toolbox for building a healthy sex life. So, whether you’re in your 60s, 70s, or 80s, remember that good sex is still within reach. It’s an essential part of your journey toward a fulfilling and vibrant life.
Image sources: Top image created by AI; Pexels.
Related Read: The Best Sex Toys for Seniors
Dr. Amy Pearlman is a board-certified, fellowship-trained urologist with expertise in male hormonal and sexual health, as well as genital reconstruction. She is a board member of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and an active member of the American Urological Association.
Dr. Pearlman is also an avid researcher and educator on the local, regional, and national levels. She is on the editorial boards for the Urology Times and Therapeutic Advances in Urology and is a Co-founder of the Prime Institute.
