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Ageing and …. Sex. Delicious Languages Physiology Population studies Film Clip Practical issues Equipment. Outline. “Sex… is the deep delicious undercurrent that runs beneath all our lives and thoughts” Rosie Scott Language of sex. Two Languages . Quotations from
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Delicious Languages Physiology Population studies Film Clip Practical issues Equipment Outline
“Sex… is the deep delicious undercurrent that runs beneath all our lives and thoughts” Rosie Scott Language of sex
Quotations from “You Are My Darling Zita” by Glen Bush Publisher Godwit 1991
Muriel Morrison As we have become older the sexual act itself has become very much less important … Certainly there is a real need for kissing, hugging and all kinds of gentleness. What we have now is not less intimate, it’s just different.
We were funny creatures… bursting our boilers to get there… ejaculation… orgasm! At our age any sort of pressure to perform is long gone. What feels good now is to be relaxed, quiet and just enjoy the moment with John…
John Morrison … the purely erotic side of my life has practically gone, that I can now enjoy the subtleties of affection and delight in another's presence, that I am able to touch or cuddle without the kind of sexual stimulus that was inherent in that at a younger age - that is a tremendous relief. Now, you see, that may be hard for a young person to understand
“Sex isn’t as powerful a need as when you are young but the whole feeling is there; it’s nice as it ever was. He puts his arms around you, kisses you, and it comes to you – satisfaction and orgasm - just like it always did ... Don’t let anybody tell you different. Maybe it only happens once every two weeks, but as you get older, it’s such a release from tensions.
I’m an old dog who’s even tried a few new tricks. Like oral sex, for instance … We weren’t too crazy about it though … We take baths together, and he washes my body, and I wash his. I know I’m getting old and my skin could use an ironing but we love each other - sex is beautiful.”
Masters and Johnson (1966) • 700 subjects • Only 31 over age 60! • Physiological studies and photos during intercourse and masturbation • Established ‘phases’ of sex response • Clitoral vs vaginal orgasm • ? Activity forestalled age change in genitalia
The Older Male • Testosterone ↓ - but variable • Fertility ↓ • Penile atrophy • Erection slower, softer, less sustained • Orgasm awareness reduced • Ejaculation – less fluid, force and duration • Rapid detumescence, longer refractory period • Libido peaks in 20’s, falls throughout life
Erection is slower, softer, may need manual stimulation Needs time The Older Male
The Older Female • Oestrogen ↓ • Fertility lost • Vaginal atrophy and loss of elasticity • Breast atrophy • Vaginal lubrication slower and reduced • Orgasm shorter but NOT lost • Libido peaks @ 30-40’s,maintained into 60’s+
The Older Female • Vaginal lubrication is slower and decreased • Needs time
Kinsey • 1940’s • Landmark of sex research • 10,000+, 2 hr interviews • 300+ questions on sexual behaviour • 15 years to complete Only 48 men and 31 women over 65yrs
Duke Longitudinal Study Verwoedt et al, 1970 254 people, age 60 - 94 yrs Followed 3 yearly x 2 50% of 80 yr olds still moderate libido 20% of 80 yr old men still sexually active 15% all subjects increased libido / sex (women 6%, men 25%) - Why?
Duke Longitudinal Study • Late marriages! • 30% married couples over 75 years sexually active • But overall decline in libido / sex
Determinants of Sexual Activity • Regression model on 502, 46 to 71yrs • Past activity and enjoyment • Being married • In men being physically well • Use it or lose it Pfeiffer, Davis 1972 • Tendency for level of activity to be stable if married George, Stephen, Weiler 1981
Swedish X-Sectional Study • 1506 (F = 946, M = 560), 70 year olds • 1971, 1976, 1992, 2000 • As part of broader study of ageing • Increasing proportions in later cohorts report: • Sexual activity (M>F) • Sexuality as a positive factor in their lives
Swedish X-Sectional Study • Reporting sexual intercourse • Married male: 52% to 68% • Married female: 38% to 56% • Single male: 30% to 54% • Single female: 1% to 12%
Swedish X-Sectional Study • Of those sexually active, later cohorts: • Females • Higher proportion report satisfaction and orgasms • Males • Higher proportion report high & low satisfaction • Lower proportion report dysfunction • Men not active due to personal reasons • Women not active due to partner related factors or no partner
“In my experience older people stop having sex for the same reason as they stop riding a bicycle • general infirmity • think it looks ridiculous • no bicycle.”
“Innocence” Director Paul Cox Film Clip
Sexuality – Practical Issues • Ask your older patients about their sex lives • They won’t faint !
Practical Problems • Women • Dryness • Reduced interest • Orgasm more difficult • Men • Early ejaculation • Erectile difficulties
Important Issues Medical • Medications • Diseases impotence • Surgery: • prostate, uterus • Catheters, pessaries • Mobility • Altered body image • Depression Psychosocial • No partner • No privacy • Social conditioning