It’s a myth that getting older diminishes sexuality, or even that it’s no longer a part of life. However, the truth is that while many seniors “say goodbye” to lovemaking, many others do not – in fact, many people enjoy hot and fulfilling sex until they die. After this article, you’ll never think you’re ever “too old” for good sex again.
Does sex go bad as you get older?
More than half of men are sexually active until age 75, and women until 65 on average. After that, things usually change for medical reasons such as diabetes, heart disease, or even menopause. In addition, another reason can be the loss of a partner. But does getting older decrease sexual satisfaction?
No! In a study, a representative sample was asked: Did you enjoy sex more when you were younger? The majority – 57 percent of men and 59 percent of women – answered in the negative, convinced that sex was just as much fun at their age as it was when they were younger – or even better. Many told us they enjoy sex with their partner as much as they did when they first met.
These tips will help you improve your intimacy and love life as you get older.
Accept and enjoy yourself as you are. Sex can get better as you age than ever before. As you become more comfortable with your older identity, you can benefit from your experience. The confidence that comes with age can be very attractive to spouses or potential partners. Regardless of your gender, you may feel better about your body at 62 or 72 than you did at 25. And most likely, you now even know more about yourself and what excites you and makes you happy – which can make sex especially exciting and satisfying. Here are a few concrete tips to help you enjoy sex as you age:
Communicate with your partner.
As your body and emotions change with age, it’s more important than ever to share your thoughts, fears and desires with your partner. Encourage your partner to communicate openly with you, too. You may not find it easy to talk openly about sex – but good, open communication helps you feel closer, and can take sex to the next level. You may even find that just talking about sex makes you feel sexy.
Be playful
Being playful with your partner can make communicating about sex much easier. A little humor, gentle teasing and titillation, can lighten the mood and make topics about sex less awkward.
Be honest
Honesty promotes trust and relaxes both partners and can be very attractive. Let your partner know how you feel and what you want from your sex life.
Discuss new ideas
If you want to try something new, it’s best to discuss it openly with your partner. In turn, you should also be open to your partner’s ideas and desires. The later years in life (with more time and fewer distractions) can be a time of creativity and passion.
Evolve
You may still belong to a generation where sex was a taboo subject. But if you talk openly with your partner about your needs, desires and concerns, you can overcome shame and enjoy sex and intimacy together.
Establish physical closeness and tenderness.
Take the pressure off by pushing aside your old ideas of what sex “should” be like. Instead, focus on the importance of tenderness and contact.
Take your time
Many older people have a lot more time for pleasure and intimacy because they don’t have to worry about pressing tasks, a job, or their children. How about using this time to become more intimate?
Turn sex into an experience
Start with a romantic dinner – or breakfast – before lovemaking. Read erotic literature together with your partner or watch porn that you both enjoy. Shared experiences, sexual or otherwise, are a great way to build an intimate relationship.
Don’t be shy
Hold hands and touch your partner often, and encourage him or her to do the same. Tell your partner what you love about him or her, and share new sexual experiences you’d like to have together.
Relax
Find something that relaxes both of you, such as massages or baths together. Relaxation promotes confidence and a sense of well-being and can help with both erectile dysfunction and menopausal dryness problems and bring back the fun.
Know when to seek help
Regardless of your age, it’s not normal to completely lose the desire for intimacy and touch. In fact, losing interest or your physical function to have sex can also be a sign of a medical problem that is best treated by a doctor. If anything is affecting your desire or ability to have a good sex life, don’t let shame keep you from asking your doctor for help. Working with a specialist, you can do a lot to improve your sex life.
Remember that anything that affects your overall health and well-being can also affect your sexual function. Sexual health can be affected by:
- Medical problems: cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, hormone imbalances, depression or anxiety can affect sex drive and sexual function. You can talk to your doctor about strategies to combat these problems.
- Medications: Certain medications can inhibit your sexuality, including the desire for sex, the ability to become aroused, and the chance of having an orgasm. Talk to your doctor about switching to a different medication with fewer sexual side effects.
Conclusion
It’s normal for sexual preferences and behaviors to change as you age. But sex and physical intimacy remain important to many older people. Staying sexually fit through masturbation, trying new sexual activities, and practicing good communication can help you and your partner continue to have satisfying sex – no matter your age.