A major reason older women give up on sex is lack of a sexually functional partner. However, age-related changes, particularly those due to menopause Menopause Menopause is the permanent end of menstrual periods, ovulation, and fertility. For up to several years before and just after menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate widely, periods become irregular... read more , can make women more likely to experience sexual dysfunction. Also, medical conditions that can interfere with sexual function, such as diabetes Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high. Symptoms of diabetes may... read more , atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is a condition in which patchy deposits of fatty material (atheromas or atherosclerotic plaques) develop in the walls of medium-sized and large arteries, leading to reduced or... read more , urinary tract infections Overview of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) In healthy people, urine in the bladder is sterile—no bacteria or other infectious organisms are present. The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body (urethra) contains no bacteria... read more , and arthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) Osteoarthritis is a chronic disorder that causes damage to the cartilage and surrounding tissues and is characterized by pain, stiffness, and loss of function. Arthritis due to damage of joint... read more , become more common as women age. However, these changes need not end sexual activity and pleasure, and not all sexual dysfunction in older women is caused by age-related changes. In older women as in younger women, the most common problem is lack of interest in sex. After menopause, less estrogen is produced.
Less and less testosterone is produced starting when women are in their 30s, and testosterone production stops by about age 70. Whether this decrease leads to decreased sexual interest and response is unclear. Other problems may interfere with sexual function. For example, older women may be distressed by changes in their body caused by medical conditions, surgery, or aging itself. They may have cultural views that sexual desire and fantasy are improper or shameful at an older age. They may be worried about the general health or sexual function of their partner. Many older women are interested in sex. Older women should not assume that sexual dysfunction is normal for older age. If sexual dysfunction is bothering them, they should talk to their doctor. In many cases, treating a health condition (including depression), stopping or substituting a medication, learning more about sexual function, or talking to a health care professional or counselor can help. Vaginal dryness or painful sex due to menopause can be treated with vaginal hormone therapy, including low-dose estrogen (as a cream, tablet, or ring) or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, as a suppository). Estrogen may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin in a patch or gel, but these forms of estrogen affect the whole body and are usually only used if a woman also has other symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes) and are usually not given to women older than 60 years. Estrogen has potential risks (including blood clots and a slightly increased risk of breast cancer) as well as benefits, so women should talk to their doctor about its risks and benefits before starting to take it. Occasionally, testosterone to be taken by mouth is prescribed in addition to estrogen therapy if all other measures are ineffective, but prescribing this combination is not recommended. It is still considered experimental and long-term safety is unknown. |