Age is Just a Number: Sex and the Elderly

Some of us wonder how our sex lives will evolve as we move through our lives. In a recent study, 89% of married women and 87% of married men ages 60-64 admitted they are still sexually active. As people advance through their years, the percentage drops, but 25% of women and 29% of men over the age of 80 are still getting freaky in the bedroom.

These numbers may be shocking to some, but they are not really shocking at all. When the children are no longer in the next room and there is no job to get up early for in the mornings, there is more freedom for a couple to express themselves sexually. They may learn things about themselves that they didn’t know before. It becomes more about sexual expression than anything.

Find Your Sexual Expression

If you have yet to truly express yourself sexually or you want to take things in a new direction, here are some tips:

• Self stimulate – You may have been raised to believe that masturbation is not a good thing, but what has been found is that masturbation is a healthy thing. Those who have overcome the idea that it is perverted or dirty have been exhilarated by something entirely new.
• Share your sexual experiences in new ways – If you were never one for foreplay, now is the time to explore your partner’s body and let them explore yours.
• Embrace your changing body – The fact your body has changed is something you should embrace and not be ashamed of. Yes, your vagina is not as elastic and a man may experience delayed erections, but you can work around these things. If an orgasm is painful, you can still engage in other activities that are enjoyable.
• Accommodate chronic diseases – Having sexual intercourse may be impossible with certain chronic diseases, but there are ways to enjoy yourself without having to exert yourself. Your partner can use manual stimulation or oral sex, which means you can still enjoy sexual activity.
• Go slow – Arousal is going to take longer, which means you can make full use of foreplay.

If you are interested in finding your sexual expression whether or not you actually engage in intercourse, the above tips can help. You may also wish to talk to your primary care doctor so you know what your limitations are. That way you and your partner know how much flexibility you have.

Image source: Relate