When Ms. Binford was explaining the topic of vaginal dryness to her students—more than 40 people over 70 years old— one student's cane slipped and fell to the ground with a "thud," and several other students showed obvious signs of unease.
Next, Ms. Binford took out a condom and demonstrated how to use it more safely. At this point, an elderly woman shouted, " Okay! That's enough! " The room erupted in laughter.
Ms. Binford is an American sexologist, and the scene above is a sex education class she taught to the elderly.
For older adults, discussing sex may seem like a shameful thing. Many older adults believe that talking about sex is disrespectful and makes them look undignified. But that's not the case. Older adults also need to express their needs...
How long can older adults continue having sex?
There is no standard answer to this question, but various countries have conducted relevant research on this issue, which we may wish to refer to.
Regarding the frequency of sexual activity among men, a survey by Duke University in the United States showed that in the 66-71 age group, 48% of men had sex once a month; 26% had sex twice a week; and 24% had stopped.
A survey by the Sexual Science Research Association at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, showed that 56% of men aged 71-75 still have sex, and 20% still have sex at age 80. A survey by the Swedish Institute of Public Opinion Statistics showed that 90.5% of people around 60 years old have sex no more than 4 times a month, while 9.5% have sex more than 5 times a month.
A survey conducted by the Department of Urology at Tohoku University in Japan showed that 60-year-old men have sexual intercourse 3.7 times per month, while 70-year-olds have it 1.9 times per month.
Regarding the upper age limit for women's sexual activity, no reports or surveys indicate that women have a higher frequency of sexual activity than men, but this cannot be used to conclude that women have poor sexual ability. The main reason why older women do not have a sexual life is due to widowhood. Older women are more likely to engage in self-pleasure. A Japanese scholar's consultation survey found that among the population capable of engaging in sexual activity, 86.4% of older men and 93% of older women were capable of doing so.
The above survey shows that even at the age of 80, the elderly still have sexual needs.
What benefits can older adults gain from appropriate sexual activity?
For older adults, engaging in appropriate sexual activity can also bring these benefits:
1. Enhance happiness
Semen contains not only sperm, but also oxytocin and serotonin, two "happy" hormones that can bring pleasure to the brain. Multiple studies have shown that women who are frequently exposed to the same type of semen have lower levels of depression and experience greater feelings of happiness.
2. Improve hormone secretion
As people age, their hormone levels decline. Sexual activity can stimulate the body to secrete large amounts of dopamine, testosterone, and other hormones in the short term, which can effectively increase hormone levels in the elderly and improve various bodily functions.
3. Enhance cardiopulmonary function
Most elderly people rarely participate in physical exercise, but sexual intercourse is an excellent form of physical activity that can engage most of the muscles in the body. In particular, the back, spine, and joints, which are rarely used, can all be exercised during sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse can also promote blood circulation throughout the body and enhance cardiopulmonary function.
Elderly people should also avoid some common misconceptions when acting.
However, it is important to note that older adults should avoid the following common misconceptions when engaging in sexual activity:
Myth 1: The older you get, the less functional you become?
The decline in sexual ability in older men is a normal physiological phenomenon. After the age of 50, the testicles will gradually shrink and age, but this does not affect men's ability to have sex. Some older men still have very good sexual ability.
Myth 2: Smoking and drinking will not affect sexual function?
The harmful effects of smoking on the body are well-known. Smoking not only harms physical health but also affects male sexual function; the more one smokes, the higher the chance of developing erectile dysfunction. Many men believe that drinking alcohol can enhance sexual performance, and while small amounts of alcohol may not have a significant impact, excessive alcohol consumption can put a person in a state of apathy, inhibiting sexual arousal. Over time, this can easily lead to erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.
Myth 3: If my function is not good, can taking some health supplements solve the problem?
Male sexual dysfunction can be caused by a variety of reasons, including organic and psychological factors. If you take health supplements without a clear cause, it will not only fail to relieve the symptoms, but may also worsen them!
For older adults, engaging in sexual activity should not be discriminated against. However, it is important to avoid excessive stimulation during intercourse, and to control the duration and intensity of intercourse to prevent over-excitement that could trigger certain diseases. If any discomfort is experienced during the process, it should be stopped immediately.
References:
[1] Five obvious benefits of appropriate sexual intercourse for the elderly! .Qianxin.com. 2019-08-23
[2] Tao Hongliang. How can middle-aged and elderly people achieve harmonious sexual life? [J]. Health Preservation Guide (Part 1), 2013(8).
[3] Ma Xiaonian. Precautions for sexual life of the elderly [J]. Chinese Journal of Elderly, 2014(7).
