How Your Sex Life Changes After 60

As you age, you can’t expect to have the same sex life as you did in your 20s, but that does not mean that you have to give up having sex altogether.

Once men and women are over 60, it is not unusual for intimacy to change. The bodily changes alone that occur mean your sex drive and sexual performance are unlikely to be what they were when you were younger. Add to that the many stresses that occur as we get older, not to mention the complacency that can come with a very long-term relationship, and few of us over 60 have the same love life we had in our 20s.

But that does not mean the time for intimacy and romance has ended. In fact, recent studies have found that many seniors are enjoying a healthier and more active sex life than ever before!

Frequency of Sex in Older Adults

The is nothing wrong or “dirty” with seniors having sex. In fact, most doctors agree that as long as there are no health issues holding you back, seniors should enjoy an active sex life for as long as they would like and are able. In fact, several studies have found that sex for people over 60 has health benefits and may even help you live longer!

“There is no age limit on sexuality and sexual activity,” reports Stephanie A. Sanders, Ph.D., a senior scientist at the sexual research group The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. While the frequency or ability to perform sexually will generally decline modestly as seniors experience the normal physiological changes that accompany aging, reports show that the majority of men and women between the ages of 50 and 80 are still enthusiastic about sex and intimacy.”

One such study conducted by the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) found that nearly half of all Americans age 60 or over have sex at least once a month and that nearly half also wanted to have sex more frequently. Another finding, people find their mates more physically attractive over time and freed from the fear of unwanted pregnancies and no kids in the house to interrupt; many seniors are reporting they are actually having more and better sex now than ever!

Benefits of Having Sex after 60

Sex is fun, sex is gratifying, and sex brings you closer to your partner, but did you know a good sex life may actually help you live longer?

According to a recent Dutch survey, the search for the Fountain of Youth may lead right to the bedroom!

The study, conducted by the Altrecht Mental Health Center, was inspired by the recent United Kingdom sex survey, which revealed seniors were having and enjoying sex in surprising numbers. The survey found that over 50% of men and 30% of women over the age of 70 were still participating in a satisfying sex life, and 1/3 of the group overall reporting they were engaging in frequent sex, even among participants in their 80s!

The Dutch researchers decided to see if there was any correlation between longevity, aging well, and these seniors enjoying healthy sex lives.

The researchers looked at a group of men and women between 58 and 98 who reported having frequent sexual activity and a satisfying sex life. They then tested those individuals with a series of tests for cognition and mental acuity. The men, and particularly the women, who reported a satisfying sex life, all scored higher on the tests than those who had less frequent sex.

Other Benefits of Sexual Activity

One reason why sexual activity may improve cognition is evidence that increased sexual activity raises testosterone. Testosterone in both men and women has been linked to improved mental function. Besides improvement in cognition and memory, there are many other anti-aging benefits to a healthy and active sex life.

Sex has been shown to:

• Improve skin health
• Lower the risk of heart disease
• Lower the risk of certain cancers
• Help remove toxins from the body
• Boost your immune system

Dealing With the Challenges of Sex After 60

Sex after 60 is not dangerous, but it can have some challenges. Here are some concerns and ways to help.

• Sex over 60 and heart health – It was once thought that sex over sixty was dangerous for your heart. But as long as you are generally healthy and your doctor has not advised against it, there is no reason to avoid sex over 60 for fear of a stroke or heart attack. In fact, current research suggests that the exact opposite is true. A quite large study conducted by the New England Research Institute in 2010 concluded that sex reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.
• Vaginal Dryness and Sex Over 60 – Lack of lubrication or vaginal dryness can be an unfortunate problem in perimenopausal and menopausal women. However, this should not stand in the way of intimacy. It may take a little bit more patience on the part of your lover to more slowly build arousal and natural lubrication. If that does not work, you can use an over-the-counter lubricant. Hormone replacement therapies have been shown to increase sex drive and reduce vaginal dryness in women over 60.
• Erectile Dysfunction and Sex Over 60 – It is not uncommon for men over 60 to experience erectile dysfunction or ED. However, in the age of Viagra and other oral ED drugs, there is no reason whatsoever for any man to let ED get in the way of a satisfying sex life over 60. If you cannot take these drugs for some reason, there are many other medically proven treatments for ED, from the P-shot to acoustic-wave therapies. Testosterone replacement and growth hormone therapy have also been shown to help men over 60 get over their issues with ED.

How Hormones Can Help to Improve Your Sex Life

Testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH) are both critical to sex drive and sexual performance in men and women. Unfortunately, the levels of both of these critical hormones drop as you age, and this could contribute to some of the “trouble in the bedroom” experienced by couples over 60.

However, the good news is that hormone replacement therapies of either testosterone, HGH, or both have been shown to improve libido and sexual function, and satisfaction in both men and women.

Five Tips to Have Great Senior Sex 

Here are five tips from experts on sexuality that can help you improve your sex life at any age

Tip 1 – Chill Out – Stress affects every aspect of your life in a negative way, and your sex life is no exception. Being stressed out is not just a “mood killer.” Stress actually decreases your testosterone level and increases the levels of “stress” hormones such as cortisol. That is a combination that can cause loss of libido and erectile dysfunction. If you want to increase libido and performance, find an effective stress reduction technique.

Tip 2 – Get Moving – Exercise, of course, is good for your health. But getting in shape can impact your performance more than on the court! All aerobic exercises increase strength and stamina, so they are also good for increasing your sexual abilities. Exercise releases endorphins or the “feel good” chemicals of the “work out high.” The rush of endorphins can also increase libido. Of course, getting in shape can help you feel better about yourself, and finally, high-intensity workouts boost testosterone.

Tip 3 – Decrease Alcohol Consumption – Wine and romance do go together. But keep it to one glass, preferably red for its anti-oxidant qualities. One glass of red wine can relax inhibitions and stimulate desire, but more than that can negatively impact your ability to get or maintain an erection.

Tip 4 –  Spice it Up – A decrease in libido, particularly among older couples in long-term relationships, often is just a matter of boredom. Do not be afraid to “spice things up” a bit by breaking from your old routines. Try new positions, introduce “sex toys,” or maybe check into a “no-tell motel” for your own special rendezvous. In fact, sex therapists say that adding anything new or exciting in your life, not just trying new things in the bedroom, can improve sexual attraction and desire.

Tip 5 – Hack Your Hormones – There are two critical hormones related to sexual performance: Testosterone and Growth hormone. Unfortunately, age, stress, and other poor lifestyle choices often lead to declining levels of both of these hormones, which can and often does, lead to trouble in the bedroom. Learning how to increase these levels both naturally and with the use of HGH injections can turn your sex life from dull to exciting!