5 Things You Need to Know About Sex After Sixty

1. Enjoy the Difference

There is a misconception that seniors are no longer interested in sex. There are many stereotypes that come along with aging and sexual ability/interest that many people have come to accept. Many of these stereotypes have come to place labels on seniors that are often inaccurate.

A recent survey of married men and women in the age 60 to 64 range showed that 87 percent of married men and 89 percent of married women were still enjoying sexually activity with their partners. Sex in the elderly can be different than sex for younger people. Younger partners often are more interested in performance whereas seniors are more likely to see sex as an act of intimacy and companionship.

2. Use It or Lose It Myth

One study on the aging population showed that men who had more than two orgasms per week had lower mortality rates. It is a fact that as we age, many of our bodily functions decline. In some males the ability to maintain an erection may now be an issue, but this isn't the case for everyone. In women, the desire to participate in sex may be erased due to menopause, but again this may not occur in everyone.

Though this may be factual for some seniors, it may not be a barrier for all. Sex after 60 is a natural part of life and many seniors are enjoying sex now more than ever. However, for those who may have lost the ability to maintain an erection, or in the case of women, lost the desire all together, there are options that can be taken.

3. Decreased Sexual Desire in Women

One myth about sexual activity after 60 is that women have lost their desires due to menopause. Yes, many women do experience changes in sexual function before and after menopause, but this does not mean that sexual activity needs to be ceased or stopped.

The years during which a woman is experiencing menopause, she can maintain a busy, active lifestyle as well as enjoy good, meaningful sexual relationships. Sexual interest and desire are mainly controlled by social and emotional factors, but hormonal factors due play a role as well. At menopause, estrogen production does discontinue. The lack of estrogen results in changes in the genital area as well as a decreased natural lubrication.

While menopause may mark the end of a woman's menstrual cycle it shouldn't mark the end of her sexuality. The range of feelings that a woman experiences can vary from woman to woman. Some may feel liberated, while others may experience a decrease in sexual desire. It's difficult to rule out other reasons besides the physical changes that comes with menopause for a decreased sexual appetite. A person's mental state and relationship status also play an important role in both sex drive and sexual satisfaction.

4. Losing the erection

Another myth related to men and aging is the inability to hold an erection. Though the inability to maintain an erection may occur in some males, it does not occur in all males over the age of 60. Impotence is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain an erection. This inability may not necessarily be associated with age. There are many conditions, not related to age, such as diabetes that could also contribute to impotence.

According to a estimations by a survey, up to 25 percent of impotence is related to medications, notably blood pressure, heart and ulcer therapies. With treatment, 50 to 75 percent of patients see positive results. Treatments may include medication adjustment, reduction in tobacco and alcohol use and surgery.

5. Good Sex is Safe Sex

Safe sex means being responsible for your own health as well as the health of your partner. The elderly population may not be concerned with using condoms as they may solely attribute them to contraception and due to the woman being post-menopausal may deem them unnecessary. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the elderly population are at an increased risk for HIV/AIDS and other STDs. About 19 percent of all people with HIV/AIDS in the United States are persons aged 50 and older. There are many reasons contributing to the increase in HIV in the elderly population. According to the CDC, the elderly population are less educated about HIV and other STDS and have been neglecting the prevention messages that seem to be mainly targeted to the younger population. Additionally, the CDC charges that elderly people already infected with HIV may be attributing the symptoms of HIV/AIDS for the aches and pains that are apart of the normal aging process, which makes them less likely to get tested.