Better Sex as You Age: Are the Claims True?
The topic of sexuality in later life has likely intrigued most people in their youth, or even in middle adulthood. Are sex and ageing negatively correlated, where the latter disrupts the former? Like any questions about sexual wellness, it’s a fair question to ask and be curious about!
Today, we’ve decided to jump into sexual health and ageing to quash the most frequent myths. So, are the claims true that you have better sex as you age? Or are you left feeling unaroused and lacking sexual attraction in your senior years.
The verdict is out, and we’re here to tell you that intimacy after sixty is alive and well (especially with all of the health benefits of sex one can take advantage of)!
Sexual satisfaction boosts with age
For the most part, sexuality in later life is fantastic. We tend to feel a boost in sexual satisfaction over the years, meaning that sex and ageing should never be dismissed due to feelings that you are “too old” for it. If you still feel that desire to seduce your long-term partner, a person you’ve recently met on a first date, or a friend who has spoken to you about wanting to hook up, don’t feel obligated to hold back!
Sex is great for your health
One of the interesting sex facts — specifically relating to sexual health and ageing — is that it positively affects a person’s physical and mental health. Intercourse is a form of exercise, which means that your muscles (including the heart), blood pressure levels, and pain management can reap this workout’s benefits.
It also helps improve mental health, including decreasing risks of dementia and helping to prevent or ease depression and anxiety!
You become more confident with age
With age, people tend to experience heightened confidence in themselves. Perhaps this is due to realizing that we can create our happiness (to some degree), have more time to practise self-love exercises, or even go on self-dates, where we get to know ourselves better.
Regardless of the exact reasoning, this increase in confidence can mean the desire to have wilder sex and to feel the urge to try new things with sexual partners!
Normal bodily changes can be aided
Sexual health and ageing can sometimes cause some hiccups in a couple’s ability to have sex, such as erectile dysfunction for folks with penises and vaginal dryness for those with vulvas. Regular physical exercise, quitting smoking, losing weight, or taking Sildenafil can aid with the former. Using a water-based lubricant or lubricated condoms (remember: preventing sexually transmitted infections is essential, regardless of your age) can assist with vaginal dryness.
In the meantime, there are a handful of essential health checks for folks with penises and self-checks for people with vulvas that we should all be performing throughout our lives!
Emotional intimacy is crucial
While the physical advantages, both for health and pleasure, are certainly a great reason to have sex, intimacy after sixty doesn’t just have to be through intercourse. While mindful sex is one aspect to take advantage of, fostering emotional intimacy and strengthening a relationship through other ways should be considered. Mutual acts of service, cuddling, having deep conversations, going on unique dates, and even dancing together in the living room, to name a few!
Older people should (and do!) have sex
Sex doesn’t just belong to the young — it belongs to any consenting person who wants to engage in sexual activities of any kind! Over the years, we tend to develop a sex-positive attitude, which can then be capitalized on throughout our lives. While sex is beneficial at any age, it can be incredibly helpful and enjoyable to older adults. So, go ahead and have as much sex as you feel comfortable with, regardless of your age!
Just as a younger person can enjoy the thrill of having a one-night stand, sleeping with someone new, or experiencing an effortful boost to their sex life with a long-term partner, so too can seniors! Intimacy after sixty, including sexuality in later life, is something that many people experience and take advantage of.
Having better sex as you age is an incredible benefit of becoming more in-tune with your body and your desires over the years of your life, as well as learning how to become communicative with sexual and romantic partners about your wants and needs. This is something we can all learn from, regardless of our age!
What do you think about sex and ageing? Do you believe that you will have better sex as you age? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
