Home EFFECTS OF AGEING ON
SEXUAL FUNCTION IN MEN
CAUSES OF PROBLEMS
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People are living longer because of better nutrition and medical care, and there is a new ‘sexual revolution’ of elderly people, who expect their sex lives to remain satisfying for as long as possible. Unfortunately there are still many misconceptions and prejudices that are now irrelevant. Messages from mass media, peers, children, and medical attendants still imply that ageing people are asexual, and this makes it difficult for them to seek help, so these things need to be changed through appropriate information.
For many this is a stage where sexual fulfillment may start as:
For many this is a stage where sexual fulfillment may start as:
- there is no fear of pregnancy
- stress and work and pressures of finance and family are less
- the couple has more time to enjoy leisure and intimacy, and enjoy and learn new sensual skills
- familiarity usually leads to confidence and meaningful communication.
On the other hand negative factors may affect sexual function:
- personal/relationship: monotony, boredom with sexual activities, obesity, loss of mobility and vigour, financial concerns, mental and physical fatigue, overindulgence in food and alcohol
- fear of failure causes loss of sexual interest and affects response. The partner may feel unloved, or suspicious that he/she has a lover simply because they are unaware of the hormonal, physical and emotional changes that occur with ageing
- chronic physical or mental illnesses: heart or neurological diseases, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, pelvic surgery, and some treatments [chemotherapy, radiotherapy, anti-hypertensive drugs] are more common than among younger people
- after retirement, loss of self esteem may become a problem.
These factors may lead to alcoholism or depression which can severely repress sexual interest.
However, treatment is available to control many illnesses and also to relieve sexual problems, so that satisfying sexual activity can continue through old age. Older men can often maintain an erection more easily and delay ejaculation more effectively than when they were younger. Intercourse may become less important and may be less frequent, but there are more opportunities as one gets older to enjoy mutual pleasure and satisfaction when making love.
