Diabetes Impairs But Does Not Halt Sex Among Older Adults

Many middle-aged and older adults with diabetes are sexually active according to a study of nearly 2,000 people aged 57 to 85 presented in the September 2010 issue of the journal Diabetes Care. Almost 70 percent of partnered men with diabetes and 62 percent of partnered women with diabetes engaged in sexual activity two or three times a month, comparable to those without diabetes, the study showed.

The disease took a toll, however, on both the desire and the rewards of sexual activity. Men diagnosed with diabetes were more likely to express a lack of interest in sex and to experience erectile dysfunction. Both men and women reported a higher rate of orgasm difficulties, such as climaxing too quickly (men) or not at all (men and women).
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Staying Intimate Later In Life

Many older adults -- ages 65 to 85 -- remain sexually active and consider sexuality an important part of their lives. But with age, sexuality also can be challenging. The August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter looks at some of the challenges and solutions to cultivating sexual desire later in life.

For men and women, medical conditions that affect general health and well-being can interfere with sexuality. Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can affect the cardiovascular system, and adequate blood circulation figures strongly in arousal during sexual activities. Conditions affecting joint health, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, may impair movement or cause pain. A decrease in sexual drive (libido) is common in older adults.

For women, changes in body shape that occur naturally can affect feelings of desirability. Decreased estrogen levels result in thinning of vaginal tissues and less natural vaginal lubrication. These changes may reduce sexual desire because of pain or discomfort during sexual stimulation. With age, orgasms typically become more muted.

For men, testosterone levels gradually decrease over time, meaning erections may take longer to achieve and may not be as firm. Erectile dysfunction becomes more common as men age.

But the desire for emotional intimacy defies age; the focus on a physical relationship can shift increasingly to an emotional one. This change tends to bring older adults together for satisfying sexual intimacy even if arousal and orgasm aren't the same as they once were. While the clock can't be turned back, Mayo Clinic Health Letter describes ways to enhance sexual experiences later in life:

Communication: Partners need to talk openly about any physical difficulties as well as changes in sexual function or sexual enjoyment.

Women's options: Nonprescription products can help with vaginal dryness due to menopause. Options include a nonprescription, water-based moisturizer (Replens) or non-glycerin lubricants such as System Jo H20 or Slippery Stuff. Vaginal estrogen, available by prescription, is another option.

Men's options: Drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra) are available to treat erectile dysfunction. However, they don't affect libido.

Other medications: Antidepressants, opiate-type drugs used for pain relief, and high blood pressure medications may affect sexual function negatively. A doctor may be able to offer other treatment options.

Exercise: Regular exercise can improve energy levels and also helps stimulate blood flow to the genitals.

Counseling: A trained therapist can offer education, suggestions, and tailored interventions to help address sexual concerns.

Source: Mayo Clinic Health Letter
Staying Intimate Later In Life

New ED Drug Fast and Effective from MedPage Today

By Charles Bankhead, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

A fast-acting drug for erectile dysfunction improved the rate of vaginal penetration by as much as 60% in a placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Men who took avanafil before intercourse had a three- to five-fold increase in the rate of successful intercourse. Scores on a standardized assessment of erectile function improved significantly versus placebo across the range of avanafil doses studied.

Some men reported engaging in sexual activity within 15 minutes of taking avanafil, Irwin Goldstein, MD, reported here at the American Urological Association meeting.
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Medical News: Americans Have Sex into Their 60s and Beyond - in Geriatrics, General Geriatrics from MedPage Today

By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

Thirty-somethings can expect to enjoy at least another 30 years of sex, researchers have found.

At age 30, men will be sexually active for another 35 years, while women will be active for another 30, Stacy Tessler Lindau, MD, and Natalia Gavrilova, PhD, of the University of Chicago, reported online in BMJ.

The results are even better for fifty-somethings: "At age 55, most folks can expect 10 to 15 more years of sexually active life," Tessler Lindau told MedPage Today. That's 15 years for men, and 10 for women.

The researchers also found that people who were healthier reported more and better sex.

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Americans Have Sex into Their 60s and Beyond from MedPage Today

By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

Thirty-somethings can expect to enjoy at least another 30 years of sex, researchers have found.

At age 30, men will be sexually active for another 35 years, while women will be active for another 30, Stacy Tessler Lindau, MD, and Natalia Gavrilova, PhD, of the University of Chicago, reported online in BMJ.

The results are even better for fifty-somethings: "At age 55, most folks can expect 10 to 15 more years of sexually active life," Tessler Lindau told MedPage Today. That's 15 years for men, and 10 for women.

The researchers also found that people who were healthier reported more and better sex.
Continue Reading

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• Sex drive 'lasts longer in men', research suggests (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Even in Old Age, Men Want Sex More Than Women (time.com)
• Older men more interested in sex than older women: Study (canada.com)
• Healthier men want more sex for more years (cnn.com)
• Sex Ends at 70 for Most People as Health Declines, Study Says (businessweek.com)
• Sexuality and Health Among Older Adults (slideshare.net)

Do Old People Have Sex? (Sex Health Guru)

Senior Citizens produce elderly safe sex video

Trends in Sexually Transmitted Infections (Other Than HIV) in Older People

There has been a significant increase in the overall rate of STIs in older adults over the last few years, but little published research to inform public health policy, which remains youth focused. The results of this study, together with evidence from a number of other studies, would indicate that sexual risk-taking behaviour is not confined to young people but also occurs among older people. Although it is recognised that young people should remain the focus of sexual health programmes, the results of this study suggest that interventions designed to impart knowledge and provide the requisite skills needed to reduce STI risk should be provided for all sexually active age groups. Existing sexual health programmes do not adequately cater for older individuals and will require an understanding of the risk factors applicable to this sub-group of the population in order to reverse the rising trends observed in this study. There is therefore a need to support a programme of good quality (both qualitative and quantitative) research that can contribute to effective planning and implementation of intervention strategies that, while aiming to reduce STI transmission among all age groups and high risk sub-groups, include interventions aimed specifically at older people. These programmes should include strategies that encourage early diagnosis and treatment, provide age-appropriate educational materials and address societal attitudes and myths, as well as healthcare provider assumptions, regarding sexual activity among older people. A T Bodley-Tickell,1 B Olowokure,1 S Bhaduri,2 D J White,3 D Ward,4 J D C Ross,5 G Smith,6 H V Duggal,7 P Goold5 on behalf of the West Midlands STI Surveillance Project Sex Transm Infect. 2008;84(4):312-317. ©2008 BMJ Publishing Group

Sex at age 70 on the rise

By Julie Steenhuysen CHICAGO (Reuters) - More 70-year-olds are having good sex more often, Swedish researchers said on Tuesday in a finding bound to bring a smile to many an aging baby boomer.