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Sexuality in Old Age: More Enjoyment and Liberation for Women

A sexologist highlights that many older women are experiencing more fulfilling and satisfying sexual relationships than in their youth, freed from past constraints.

Close-up of an elderly woman's hands touching other hands, with warm, diffused lighting.
IA

Close-up of an elderly woman's hands touching other hands, with warm, diffused lighting.

Sexologist Carme Sánchez explains that sexuality evolves throughout life and that many older women, freed from restrictive upbringing, now enjoy more fulfilling and satisfying relationships.

Human sexual response is constant from birth to death, though its manifestation changes over time. According to clinical psychologist and sexologist Carme Sánchez, the changes associated with aging in sexual response, while they may present difficulties, open the door to greater intimacy and emotional connection if couples move away from an exclusive focus on intercourse.
A study by the Institute of Women reveals that the majority of participants over 65 years old now enjoy their sexuality more. Sánchez attributes this phenomenon to the liberation from social and religious mandates that considered sex merely a reproductive or marital duty. The gain in personal and emotional autonomy allows many women to experience their sexuality more consciously and pleasurably. As an example, she recounts the case of a widow who experienced her first orgasm at 75, highlighting the importance of self-knowledge and the quality of the couple's relationship.
This trend, according to the expert, could be considered a female sexual revolution. Patriarchal and religious education has been losing ground, and the disappearance of pregnancy risk after menopause, along with the normalization of conversations about sexuality, contribute to this change. The popularity of products like the Satisfyer vibrator has also been an indicator of this openness.
In contrast, senior men often experience these changes with greater difficulty, as their sexuality is strongly linked to erection and performance. Sánchez notes that while 99% of women do not long for past eras of repression, many men remain anchored in more conservative views.
Persistent barriers include ageism, the myth of asexuality in old age, and the reluctance of family environments, which may view the sexual activity of their older parents negatively. Lack of intimacy in residences and prejudices among healthcare professionals, who sometimes prescribe medications with sexual side effects without adequate information, are other obstacles. Sánchez advocates for doctors to actively inquire about sexual health during consultations, especially in gynecology and urology.
To overcome issues such as erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness, various therapies exist, including lubricants, hormone treatments, medications, and prosthetics. Expanding the sexual repertoire beyond intercourse is also crucial. Aesthetic pressure, which promotes youth-centric standards, can affect self-esteem and lead to shame, but the expert insists that all bodies are desirable at any age.
Sánchez proposes comprehensive sex education that covers the entire life cycle, including workshops in day centers and universities for seniors. Furthermore, she calls for positive-vision campaigns on senior sexuality and specific training for socio-health professionals, in addition to ensuring privacy in residences.

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