Abstract
The project deals with the problem of sexuality among elderly people, its physical and emotional health benefits. The opening paragraph gives insight into the main problem. Following are the main considerations on the problem and the examples of elderly people’ ability to maintain sexual life. Emotional and physical health benefits of sexual activity in older age are the focal point of the research based on the opinions of leading physicians, philosophy doctors, journalists, and medicine doctors.
Keywords: elderly, sex, intercourse, relations, intimacy, age, health, benefits
Depending on religious affiliation and nationally acceptable cultural, moral and ethical codes, people either have regular or occasional sexual relations throughout their marital life or before such. As time goes by and people age, their intimacy sees a gradual decline due to a number of reasons, of which health concerns, attitudinal changes, and stereotypical perception of sexuality and its limitations might be paramount reasons. However, scientists determine sexual relations in older age as beneficial and worth trying, resuming, or maintaining. In maintaining regular sexual life, elderly people can remain healthy and happy.
According to “Jane Fonda was right” (2011), researchers latest discoveries show that women who live an active sexual life are happier, healthier and able to handle ageing issues much better than do those whose life is devoid of intimacy. Such assumption holds true contrary to the fact that overall sexuality is generally on the decline at this age. Jane Fonda, a top Hollywood celebrity aged 73 advised the over-seventies on how to succeed in the bedroom, although she confessed to taking testosterone to keep libido high. Scientists from the University of California San Diego have concluded that regular sex relations are prerequisite to happiness and better life quality among women aged between 60 and 89. Irrespective of the naturally determined sexual activity level, the studied reported moderate or absolute satisfaction with their intimate life. Professor Wesley Thompson opined that such attitude had a positive effect on their life quality perception. Despite varying sexual activity depending on the age, life quality, sexual satisfaction, and successful ageing perceptions all remained positive throughout different age periods.
Stein (2007) gave insight into the first-ever detailed survey of sexuality among older Americans, based on which those above 80 maintained an active and rich intimate life. A quiz conducted on 3.000 respondents between the ages of 57 and 85, of whom from more than a half to three-quarters proved to have an active sexual life and engage in varied and frequently occurring sexual activities. In spite of general sexuality decline, the interest in such does not alter with age given a decent physical wellbeing and a partner. That older people have no interest in sex whatsoever is a fallacious perception, according to Stacy Lindau, the head of Chicago University research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Elderly people’s mindset is such that they value intimacy as much as young people do, which completely debunks the myth about the contrary. The funder of the research, Georgeanne Patmios of the National Institute on Aging also agreed on the interest and vitality in sexuality that used to remain uncharacterized before.
Researchers have found that there is a connection between health and sex in the sense that healthier individuals reported higher incidence of sexuality. Important is the proven fact that active intimate life has the potential of keeping elderly people more healthy and vibrant. Stacy Lindau admitted that old people engaged in sexual intercourses could benefit from having sex since exercise stress comes with this activity. While being engaged in an act of intimacy, people have endorphin released, which improves the sense of well-being (Stein 2007). Endorphin is a specific hormone secreted in the nervous system or brain, activating an analgesic or painkilling effect among other things. Seeing that the elderly may suffer from various diseases, as gastric ulcer or arthritis, endorphin may do a great job alleviating physical pain at least temporarily much better than traditional painkillers do. According to Stein (2007), the physiological advantages of being cared for or affectionately loved by partners may contribute to physical health in a positive way. There might be other effects that have yet to be found. Robert Butler, the president of the International Longevity Center in New York, claimed little to be known about sexuality in older age groups. For now, the effects cannot be scientifically determined, much less proved for want of state approval and support. Instead of promoting further studies, what conservative politicians are doing is resisting to a scientific headway in this direction.
The survey respondent proved willing to cooperate, sharing their experience with experts in an open and grateful way, with 75% of the quizzed out of 3.005 individuals agreeing to cooperate. For 28% of men and 14% of women sex was essential, and approximately three quarters of those with partners admitted to being sexually active. Having reciprocally voluntary sexual intercourses with partners over a twelve-month period was defined as being sexually active. There is no denying the fact that the rate of sexual acts declined with age. By the time people reach 75 to 85 years, their sex act frequency drops to 39% and 17% for men and women respectively. Even the oldest group of respondents admitted they had the acts of intimacy, with 54% of the quizzed having sexual intercourses two or three times per month and 23% enjoying intimacy once or more on a weekly basis. Todd Semla, the president of the American Geriatrics Society noted that the flame of love does not go out, as people become older (Stein, 2007).
That the elderly individuals have intimate intercourses this often shows that they have what it takes to lead a sound sexual life from a physiological viewpoint. More than that, they awake to the possible physical and moral health benefits. According to Medicine Doctor, Patricia Bloom (2000), one of studies demonstrates that men who have more than two orgasms per week are less prone to mortality. While sex does strengthen heath, scientists have not proved its guaranteeing life longevity as of yet. What remains a solid fact is that elderly people who are vigorous and well for them to engage in the acts of intimacy are healthier, as opposed to their peers. Sexual activity in its multiple manifestations can be fulfilling from intellectual, physical, and spiritual angles. Besides being an excellent physical exercise, intimacy is capable of boosting a good mental function and stimulating the human brain. For some individuals, sexual expression does represent the most essential demonstration of true self (Bloom, 2000). Block, Smith, and Segal (2014) also noted that sexual relations could mend physical and mental health. The acts of intimacy can drastically reduce anxiety, release endorphins, and burn fat. Experts believed that sex could actually increase human lifespan owing to health improvements it guarantees. Of course, sex has undeniable emotional benefits, as it creates opportunities for escapism, that is, abstraction from routine humdrum reality, which is often the source of depression and emotional stress.
Chief Medical Officer of Body Logic MD, Doctor Jennifer Landa (2014) claimed that sex after 60 years had clear health benefits. Claims as to sex detriments in the post-sixty life period due to the risks of strokes and heart attacks have no medical grounds. Sexual acts especially in the age of 60 and above decrease blood pressure. Studies demonstrate that couples involved regular intimate activity had lower diastolic pressure. Sexual acts that are performed alone can produce the exact same physiological effect. A Britain-based study has showed that whoever has sex twice a week or more has a decreased risk of heart attack, as compared with those who have the acts of intimacy once per month. Medical observations found zero relationship between the risk of stroke and sexual activity. More importantly than that, regular sexual relations have the potential of improving cholesterol rates and weight management. Though thought a low-impact engagement, a thirty-minute duration can burn about 85 calories. If performed regularly, sex can elevate the levels of HDL by 10%. High-density lipoprotein diminishes atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease risks. Regular sexual engagement critically reduces the possibility of prostate cancer for men. A scientific research published in the American Medical Association demonstrates that men with the ejaculation frequency of 21 times a month are far less vulnerable to prostate cancer than those who experience it 4 to 7 times a week are. Sexual activity purges the male biological environment by evacuating cancer-causing agents, stagnant substances, and infection or creating unfavorable inhabitable conditions for these. Hence, the possibility of an inflammation process is highly insignificant. Additional health benefits of regular sexuality are the boosted immune system, reduced stress, much-improved self-esteem and sleep. Sexual activities are efficient for pain management, as they elevate pain threshold. Women tend to report chronic leg or lower back pain by stimulating their vagina. Other women managed to alleviate menstruation pains, headaches and arthritis by resorting to self-stimulation practices.
Conclusions
Regardless of widespread fallacious stereotypes suggesting as if elderly people could not live an active sexual life, most scientists and medical experts believe in the contrary. Whether through medical stimulants or without such, people who are 60 and above can and need to remain sexually active for the reason that sexuality is prerequisite to good physical and moral heath. Human organisms release endorphin that improves the sense of wellbeing. Regular intimate relations decrease the risk of mortality among men. A number of scientists have proved the link between sexuality and life longevity. Sex is also a good dodge of keeping human bodies and organisms physically sound. Intimacy relieves the elderly of the burden of routine reality and reduces anxiety, granting much-needed emotional relaxation. The elderly can improve their mental function and have the brain stimulated by engaging in the acts of intimacy. Sex can, in fact, decrease the possibility of heart attacks and strokes, burn fat, reduce blood pressure, and increase the levels of high-density lipoprotein. Cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer also become a rare possibility given that sexual intercourses are regular. Elderly respondents admitted to having pain disappear during vaginal self-stimulation and the acts of intimacy with their partners. Improved sleep, self-esteem, emotional heath, happiness, reduced headaches, stress, arthritis, lower back pains, and the improved immune system are the undeniable benefits of sexuality among the elderly.
References
Block, J., Smith, M., Segal, J. (2014, April). Better Sex over 50. HelpGuide.org. Retrieved from: http://www.helpguide.org/elder/sexuality_aging.htm
Bloom, P. (2000, March 16). Sex in the elderly. Global Action on Aging. Retrieved from: http://www.globalaging.org/health/us/sexelderly.htm
Jane Fonda was right! Elderly women really do age better if they have active sex lives. (2011, August 26). The Telegraph. Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8724527/Jane-Fonda-was-right-Elderly-women-really-do-age-better-if-they-have-active-sex-lives.html
Landa, J. (2014, January 27). Sex after 60 delivers healthy outcomes. Fox News. Retrieved from: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/27/sex-after-60-delivers-healthy-outcomes/
Stein, R. (2007, August 23). Elderly staying sexually active. The Washington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/22/AR2007082202000.html
