While the physical results of aging can affect sexuality, there are other factors that can have an even greater impact on your sex life. Dr. Leslie Fluharty and Daniel Jonesof Wooster Collegeconducted extensive research and synthesized their findings in a report onSexuality and Aging.
The article includes a list of the age-related physical changes in genital function for men and women. Among some of the normal changes experienced by aging women is therapid decrease in arousal after orgasm. Men may lose the inevitability stage -- that feeling of necessity to have an orgasm just prior to climax.
However, their research shows that other factors may have a greater impact on sexual expressionin later life. These include excessive use of alcohol, prescription drugs -- a list is included, chronic diseases, lack of an available partner and depression.
Evenwhile theamount of sexual activity tends to decrease with age, the report emphasizes that the amount of sexual interest and ability remains fairly constant. There's more to sex than vaginal intercourse. Understanding the many other available and acceptable forms of intimacy can enrich sexual expression greatly.
