Sex when you age: debunking 4 myths

If hitting 30 in our society is already considered to be a milestone in a person’s life, go figure turning 70 or 80. There are already too many ageist untruths circulating around, so the last thing we need is everyone to believe that being an older adult means “game over” in the sex field. So in the name of sex and all things worth living for, we’re shedding some necessary light on all the common misconceptions about sex and aging. Let’s debunk some myths.

4 myths about sex when you age

Myth #1: Men and women’s equipments don’t work anymore

Let us separate facts from myths on this one.

The fact is that women experience menopause which can lead to vaginal dryness and thus cause pain during intercourse. For their part, men’s erections are not what they used to be in their 20s – erectile dysfunction gets real with age. However, this doesn’t mean that they cannot do anything about it.

There are at least four prescription drugs that will help any flabby penis get harder and make sex last longer with none or little medical intervention. For women, there are plenty of great lubricants that are the perfect substitutes for what nature can no longer supply. So the myth here is that men and women lose their ability to perform sexually after a certain age: if you want, you still can.

Side note: good news for the ladies! While the vagina might get dry and its walls thiner, the clitoris stays its young lively self. This organ doesn’t undergo any degradation, although a little more foreplay might be necessary as the blood starts to move slower around that area when we get older.

Myth #2: Sex can be dangerous to an older person’s health

It is common to hear that sex can cause heart attacks when you’re older, so let’s elaborate on that.

Medical experts calculate that the risk of a heart attack for someone in their 50s who exercises regularly is 1 chance in a million per hour. Engaging in sexual activity triples that risk to 3 in a million per hour, and only for the 2-hour period during and after sex. Therefore, sex can be a trigger of a heart attack, yes, but it’s something very rare.

On the other hand, if we put everything in a balance, we would see that sex has more benefits than disadvantages in older ages. Sexual climax releases oxytocin, a hormone that alleviates stress and supports positive thinking. In case of physical limitations such as joints or muscle pain, couples can always turn to pillows for support or explore new and less adventurous positions.

Myth #3: Older adults don’t have to worry about STDs

We would gladly hand this one over to the myth’s list, but unfortunately and unlike us, STDs don’t age. It doesn’t matter how old you are, the risk for sexually transmitted diseases is always there. In fact, doctors agree that the ability to have sex for longer thanks to pharmaceutical assistance, produces changes in immunity and weakens the mucosal tissue, which opens the floodgates for STDs.

Myth #4: An aging body isn’t sexy

Sex isn’t about how you look. Anything can be arousing, from a passionate kiss or stroke, to something funny or romantic that your partner says. Our bodies don’t define our allure to others, and neither should you. There’s a 1999 survey conducted by AARP and Modern Maturity magazine that backs this up. They found that the percentage of people aged 45 and older who consider their partners physically attractive increases with age. So get all your confidence together, and hop into bed with pride.

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