As men and women age, what changes occur in sexuality and what types of adjustments should individuals make?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

As men reach late adulthood (60s, 70s, and 80s), they may experience some physiological changes that decrease sexual responsiveness.
Sexual Responding
Because many of the body's physiological responses slow down, older men may require more time and stimulation to have an erection and to reach orgasm. Upon ejaculation, there may be a reduction in the force and amount of fluid. However, healthy men usually have no difficulty in becoming sexually aroused or reaching orgasm. Some men worry that their decreased ability to have an erection or reach orgasm means an end to their sexuality. Currently, there are a few drugs (such as Viagra) approved for the treatment of impotency, which is the inability to have an erection. These drugs help about 70% of men who have impotency problems.
Psychological Problems
The decreased sexual abilities that older men generally experience can make them uncomfortable and threaten their self-esteem. However, having longer periods of stimulation, improving intimate communication, and using more imaginative sexual activity can usually compensate for men's decreased self-confidence.

Menopause occurs in women at about age 50 (range 35 to 60) and involves a gradual stoppage in secretion of the major female hormone (estrogen), which in turn results in cessation of both ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
Physical Symptoms
Most older women experience hot flashes, some sleep disturbance, and dryness of the vagina, which result from a decrease and eventual stoppage in the secretion of the female hormone estrogen. A lack of estrogen results in a reduction of lubrication during arousal. However, there is little or no change in the ability to become sexually aroused or to reach orgasm. Potential problems with lack of lubrication or painful intercourse may be treated with hormone replacement therapy or the use of vaginal creams.
Psychological Symptoms
Researchers followed 400 healthy women through menopause and observed many psychological changes. They found that women did report psychological symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and anger. However, these symptoms were related to other stressful issues (such as growing older in a society that glorifies being young), rather than to the physical symptoms of menopause. In addition, women's expectations influenced their psychological outlook during menopause. Women with positive expectations about what they
hope to accomplish have few psychological symptoms, compared to women who expect their lives to be over and thus feel depressed during menopause.
Sexual Activities
Some older women think sexual activity is appropriate only for young people. Others expect sexual activity to be just like it was during their young adulthood, and they may have difficulty accepting the inevitable changes that occur as they age. Overall, half of women age 50 and older are at least as satisfied with their sex life as during their younger years. But many women do experience sexual difficulties and often find it difficult to discuss with others. One way to help these women is to have their doctors ask them about their sexual functioning;
currently, more than 90% of doctors are reported not to bring up the topic.