Aging

It is a common misconception that sex is only for the young. In truth, sex still matters—a great deal, in fact—to older adults. In a recent study, more than four out of five men between the ages of 50 and 80 reported that sex remained an important part of their life. For many women, sexual desire may actually increase during and after menopause.

Unfortunately, as the body grows older, medical conditions arise that can contribute to sexual problems. For example, while a woman's sex drive may increase with menopause, she may at the same time experience a decrease in vaginal blood flow, lubrication and elasticity. These symptoms can make sexual relations uncomfortable—even painful. For men, the likelihood of disorders like impotency and premature ejaculation increases with age. Older adults also are more likely to be taking medications that may inhibit sexual performance.

Happily, treatments exist for most sexual problems that are associated with aging. For menopausal women, for example, physicians often prescribe a regimen of exercises to keep vaginal muscles toned. To fight vaginal dryness, women can try artificial lubrication, vaginal estrogen cream or hormone replacement therapy. Recent research suggests that tiny doses of testosterone (a male sex hormone) may revive sexual desire in some women, particularly those whose ovaries have been removed surgically.