Seniors' Sexuality: Breaking Through the Silence, Misconceptions, and Stigmas - Essay Sample

Introduction

Senior sexuality is often subject to silence in American society. In a culture that only associates sex with youthfulness, reproduction, and even power, sexual intimacy among seniors brings a lot of discomforts. Seniors with active sex life receive derogatory labels such as dirty old men. The rejection of sexuality information among the seniors has given space for misconceptions to thrive. Such misconception revolves around the shelf life of sexual intimacy. Many people assume that seniors lack interest in sex. In the medical field, senior sexuality experiences less attention, unlike other sections of the demography. This paper will argue that there is a lack of recognition of seniority's sexuality in the current healthcare system structure.

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Aging is inevitable. Men and women experience physical changes that affect their ability to have or enjoy sex. These changes occur in their sexual organs as the production of hormones that drive sexual urges declines. Women experience changes in the vagina as it narrows and shortens. Sexual activity may bring pain and discomfort to women at this age. Menopause in women reduces sexual urges. Among older men, erectile dysfunction is joint. This refers to the inability to have and sustain an erection. They may also take too long to have an erection during sex. The construction may not be as large and firm as it uses to be. They experience a quick loss of erection after an organism. This affects their 'performances' during sex. Erection dysfunction can affect anyone; however, it is more common at old age. It is also treatable.

The changes in body shape and appearance occur as body age. Body appearance is a significant factor in sexual intimacy. Some people feel might weird or vulnerable when they do not feel confident about their bodies. Older adults experience weakening and shrinking of the bones; therefore, any activity that requires physical effort may cause harm to the body. Sex at this age may not be the same as that during young ages. Naturally, seniors cannot perform sexual activities like in their youth but could adapt their sex life to their abilities.

Impact of Sexual Difficulties Among Seniors

Psychological Well-Being

According to Hinchliff et al., sexual difficulties have an immense impact on various aspects of senior living. It affects the psychological well-being of an individual. In many situations, senior couples tend to have the other partner experiencing sexual difficulty. This brings frustration in their sex life leading to a disconnect between their sexual past and current realities. Stopping all sexual activity all together could happen. This disruption of sexual intimacy cases a great deal of frustration as one might have wanted to continue being sexually active. Some individuals may not be ready for such changes as they might view themselves as being young enough to be intimate.

Erectile dysfunction is joint among seniors. This form of sexual difficulty result in reduced sexual activity. Senior women with partners suffering ED express their frustration, as their partners often are not willing to discuss the issue openly or seek help. However, some partners who have experienced sexual difficulties adopt other sexual activities rather than intercourse. Seniors, men that have experienced health problems such as prostate cancer, have had their sexual lives altered (Hinchliff et al. 2017). Such partners cope with their situation by understanding each other's sexual needs and being able to satisfy them. Some seniors seek sexual enhancing drugs so they could deal with the requirements of their partners. Some seniors who have lost their partners or partners cannot satisfy their sexual urges and don want another partner to participate in self-pleasure activities. The need for intimacy is necessary regardless of age; therefore, seniors need o to utilize whatever gives them a pleasure to keep them safe and functioning.

Impact on Relationships

The majority of the seniors have been with their partners for long. They develop a deeper connection in which sex plays a part in it. Seniors that have established their relationships based on other life elements are less affected by the reduced or loss of sexual intimacy. Some develop close bonds through different activities such as hugging, cuddling, or holding hands. Partners with sexual health difficulties receive support from their partners. Some seniors may feel the desire to stop sex activity at once; this could be devastating if the other partner does not understand the premise of such decisions. Communication between partners plays a huge role; being able to openly share frustration and anger enables them to navigate their sexual life. It makes one feel heard and not ignored in a relationship. Disruption is sexual intimacy that has less impact on couples that talk about their issues (Hinchliff et al. 2017). On the other hand, the loss of sexual intimacy and lack of communication could cause a breakdown of relationships.

Seeking Help and Treatment

Lack of initiative to seek help when facing sexual difficulties is detrimental to relationships. People often find when they are faced with challenges that jeopardize their relationships. Many seek help from general health practitioners or doctors for advice. Senior men suffering from ED are the majority that seek help. Sexual counselors also assist seniors in dealing with sexual difficulties. Seeking help enables couples to talk about their sexual lives openly. These discussions will allow them to reflect on their sexual history and the impact of the changes. It also paves the way for acceptance for the things that cannot be changed in the relationship. Treatment options provide a chance to boost their sexual activity. However, some of these treatments do not give permanent solutions as they lose effectiveness with time.

Unfortunately, seniors do not always get the help they want from health practitioners. The ageist attitudes towards senior sexuality among health practitioners have hindered many from seeking help. The lack of sense of urgency to attend to issues affecting seniors reflects society's attitudes towards seniors as disposable. As a result, many seniors are exposed to counterfeit drugs, as they do not receive adequate healthcare attention like other parts of the demographic do.

Sexual Health Among Seniors

Health issues involving sex brings much discomfort, even in the medical field. Many physicians fail to discuss these health issues with their senior patients despite research findings that indicate its necessity. Sex lacks shelf life; there is a need to pay attention to senor sexuality. Some of these health issues include erectile dysfunction, exposure to STDs, and others. According to a study done by the University of Chicago, more than half of the seniors who participated in it reported having had sexual health problems. Some of the identified issues include erectile dysfunction among, reduced vaginal lubrication and inability to climax mostly among women.

The study reported that only a few of them had visited physicians to seek help. It cited that physicians hesitated to deal with senior sexuality issues because they indicated the lack of enough information and the influence of societal attitudes. Hence, seniors are viewed as fragile and need to protect them from experiencing distress caused by sexual information (Kuehn, 2008). The stigma around senior sexuality is a result of ignorance; physicians could change the course of senior sexual health and societal attitudes. Notably, senior sexual health is affected majorly by mental health, physical health, and interpersonal relationships. A lack of stability in these critical aspects of life results in sexual intimacy problems. Some medication contributes to sexual dysfunction.

The lack of attention to senior health issues may result in a missed opportunity to stop the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Schick et al. 2010). A study done in England by the Health Protection Agency in Birmingham indicated a rise in HIV infections among older adults. CDC also reported an increase in infections in the US. These findings demonstrate that older adults are vulnerable to infections. Aging contributes to the weakening of the immune system; therefore, making this group susceptible to infections. The majority of this group lacks essential sexual health information since it came of age before the HIV/AIDS epidemic (Kuehn, 2008). Some engage in risky behaviors that could expose them to infections easily.

Physicians’ Attitude Towards Senior Sexuality

The study done by Gewirtz-Meydan et al. 2020 explores physicians' perceptions of senior sexuality. It further examines the gap in physicians' approaches when addressing young adults' sexual issues and those of older adults. It indicates that this area is neglected despite its importance to the well-being of the seniors. It further investigates equality and justice in providing healthcare services to the different sections of the population. According to Levkovich et al. 2018, family physicians approach senior sexuality issues from a physiological point of view. They avoid discussion of sexual health issues with senior citizens as a marital and intimacy issue. They often relate sexual health issues with other common illnesses. The majority of physicians indicate personal discomfort discussing sexual health issues with senior patients. Senior sexual health issues face significant misconceptions and stereotypes that influence the diagnostics and treatment care given.

Ageism and inequality affect the quality of care given to older adults. Older adults are perceived to be less sexually active; hence, most are not referred to sex therapy. Physicians dismiss potential contributing factors to sexual dysfunction. Studies indicate that changes in the social environment and psychological being cause sexual health problems. While dealing with young adults' sexual health, physicians are often keen to combine medication and psychotherapy. It is not the case for many older adults who seek help; they receive medication but are not referred to as psychotherapy (Gewirtz-Meydan et al. 2020).

It is evident that ED occurs mostly among senior adults; however, it is unfair to dismiss the need for sexual intimacy in this group. Sexual intimacy is a broad spectrum in which vaginal penetration is a part of it. Sadly, the heterosexual cultural norms put vaginal penetration as the ultimate goal in sexual engagements. Treatment plans followed by physicians focus on enabling patients to achieve penetrative sex while ignoring other forms of sexual meetings that could suit older adults. This perception among physicians is detrimental to senior sexuality, as they may not perform as expected. The qualification of penetrative sex as 'real sex' causes frustration and embarrassment as a couple may not be up to the task.

Importance of Senior Sexual Health Research

Research on this topic contributes to the improvement of senior sexual health. Levkovich et al. 2020 study identify the barriers to the provision of top sexual health services. The study notes the lack of prioritization of senior sexuality issues in family medicine. Physicians have an increased workload. Additionally, societal norms affect attitudes hence;, physicians are afraid of offending patients or destroying their relationship with the patients. Family medical practice is based on the biopsychosocial model; however, it ignores sexual health issues among seniors. This study calls out the method to deal with this health issue as expected.

Research provides recommendations necessary for the required changes to happen. Levkovich et al. 2018 study recommend-training approach for physicians crucial when dealing with older patients' sexual...