How is sexuality experienced in older age?

Sexuality in older age – a subject full of misconceptions. Some people believe that the need for sexuality declines or even disappears with increasing age. But that is not the case! Sexuality remains an important aspect of life for many people well into old age, even if not for the same reasons as before. Find out what defines sexuality in older age, which problems can arise and how pelvic floor training can have a positive influence on your sex life.

The desire for sexuality is very individual and changes over a lifetime. While some people experience a decrease in sexual desire, others may even feel liberated from past inhibitions or expectations. This can lead to an increased need for intimacy and sexuality. The factors influencing desire are complex and can affect the following:

Diseases

The likelihood of co-occurring conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, etc., increases linearly with age. These diseases and a general decline in health can impact sexual function in older adults. Also, side effects from medications can impair sexual activity [3].

Hormonal Changes

Starting around the age of 40, hormone levels change for both men and women. A man’s testosterone level drops by about 1% per year. By age 65, degenerative changes in the seminal ducts of the testes begin to occur, leading to a decrease in sperm production, quality, and volume. Men also need more time to achieve an erection. Despite these physical changes, which are perceived differently by each man, fertility remains possible well into old age [3].

For women, menopause is associated with significant hormonal changes, particularly due to reduced estrogen production. The lack of estrogen can decrease the elasticity of vaginal walls and increase the vulnerability of vaginal skin, leading to pain during intercourse. Women also need more time and stimulation to reach orgasm. However, the ability for multiple orgasms remains [3].

Youth

How sexuality develops with age is influenced by how sexually active a person was in young adulthood. Those who were more sexually active in their youth often remain so into older age [2].

Preferences

Starting around age 65, many people prefer vaginal intercourse and foreplay over oral sex and masturbation. For example, only about half of men over 65 masturbate anymore [3].

Singletons

There are roughly five times as many widows as widowers. In a predominantly monogamous society, the opportunity for sexual contact for older women is rare. However, this does not mean that there is a difference in sexual interest between men and women, as often claimed [2].

From this complex of influencing factors, it can be concluded that sexuality in old age should be redefined. As one ages, sexuality is often driven by different motivations. It’s less about the act itself than about sharing pleasure with another person and expressing tenderness. Sex loses its reproductive function and serves more as a form of communication, closeness, and sexual satisfaction [3].

Women can remain sexually active into old age. There is no fixed age limit that marks the end of sexual activity. The body changes with the menopause,

which extends from perimenopause (up to 10 years before the menopause), through the menopause and into postmenopause. The altered hormonal conditions have very different effects on libido too. During postmenopause, around half of all women between 75 and 85 years of age describe sexuality as playing a neutral to important role, while for the other half it is not an important part of life [3].

Physiological changes in women as they age

Every woman's body changes as she ages. Oestrogen deficiency makes the mucous membranes and tissue drier, which can lead to recurrent genital and urinary tract infections and pain during sex. Some women also report painful uterine contractions after sexual intercourse [3]. These symptoms can often be managed with medical advice.

The female body experiences anatomical and functional strain over the course of life, for example through pregnancy and giving birth. The consequences if the pelvic floor muscles have not been trained sufficiently or problems have not been treated: prolapse (lowering of the pelvic floor) and incontinence [1]. This shows how important pelvic floor training is – regardless of age.

MyPelvi pelvic floor training gives women the opportunity to strengthen the pelvic floor down to the deepest muscle layers. The special magnetic wave technology stimulates and strengthens the muscles, without any effort at all! All a woman needs is 22 minutes; the pelvic floor trainer does the rest!

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Men can stay sexually active well into old age — even past 70. The aging process often brings changes in the ability to achieve an erection, but that doesn't mean sex life has to end. With a healthy lifestyle and supportive measures such as pelvic floor training, men can enjoy a fulfilling sex life and remain fertile even at an advanced age.

Physiological changes in men

As men age, their hormone balance shifts due to a significantly reduced production of testosterone. One study describes the following changes in male sexual physiology after age 55:

- Longer and more direct stimulation needed to achieve a full erection - Reduced or absent ejaculatory pressure - Reduced volume of ejaculate - Longer refractory period (the time until a man is ready again). Many men need at least 24 hours before their next erection [3].

What can help? Pelvic floor training! Because training your pelvic floor — at any age — often makes sex feel more intense, helps you last longer, and lets you recover faster afterward. The reason lies in the muscles closely connected to your genitals. Strengthening them from the inside and at depth — for example, with MyPelvi's magnetic field stimulation training — can make your experience feel more intense:

Ready to begin?https://mypelvi.com/fur-ihn/

What we do not want to forget among all the facts: There is no connection between age and the enjoyment of partnered sexuality. No matter how the body and needs may change, sexuality in later life can and should remain something very special.

Learn the right technique with guidance — free of charge at your MyPelvi studio.