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Sexual Difficulties

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As a woman ages, her vagina becomes shorter and narrower. The walls of the vagina also become thinner and a little stiffer. Most women will have less vaginal lubrication as they get older. These changes and other factors such as illness, disability, and some medicines can affect sexual function. If you are having these problems, you are not alone. The three most common sexual issues reported by women are:

• Not being in the mood for sex
• Trouble becoming aroused (vaginal dryness) and having orgasms
• Pain during sex or sexual activity

If you're having vaginal dryness, try using an over-the-counter lubricant. If that doesn't work, talk to your doctor about other treatments, including estrogen therapy. If you are never in the mood for sex or it is painful, talk to your doctor about it. Don't be embarrassed. These concerns are not uncommon. Your doctor probably has helped many women like yourself. She or he can suggest treatments to help you achieve a healthy, satisfying sex life.

Sometimes, the sexual problems might not be yours, but your partner's. Male sexual problems do not just affect men. They also affect their female partners. Male sexual problems include:

• Not being in the mood for sex
• Impotence (being unable to get or keep an erection)
• Premature ejaculation (reaching orgasm too fast)
• Delayed or inhibited orgasm

As men get older, impotence becomes more common. By age 65, almost one in four men has this problem at least one out of every four times they have sex. Common causes include health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Some medications also can cause impotence.

If impotence is a problem, there are medicines men can take. These drugs increase blood flow to the penis and help make an erection possible. Encourage your partner to talk to his doctor about treatment.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Age Page: Sexuality in Later Life — This brochure describes the normal physical changes in men and women that come with age. It also discusses the effects of illness, disability, and emotional concerns of sexuality in later life.

   http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/sexuality.asp

2.   HIV, AIDS, and Older People — This publication explains what HIV is, how it is spread, how it is treated, why it is increasing among older adults, and how it affects them.

   http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/hiv-aids.htm

3. Atrophic Vaginitis (Copyright © UCLA Health System) — This fact sheet describes the causes, symptoms, and treatments for atrophic vaginitis. It also tells you when you should visit your doctor.

   http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm?id=477&action=detail&aeproductid=Adam2004_117&aearticleid=00...

4. Let's Talk about Sex! Keeping Intimacy Alive at Midlife and Beyond (Copyright © NWHRC) — This pamphlet discusses why women's sexual desire differs from men's, what qualifies as a "normal" sex life, and treatment options to consider to make sex and intimacy at midlife more satisfying.

   http://www.healthywomen.org/resources/nwhrcpublications/dbpubs/letstalkaboutsex

5. Private Part Smarts: Why Safe Sex Is a Menopause Priority (Copyright © NAMS) — This publication explains the importance of practicing safe sex leading up to and after menopause to reduce the risk of STIs or pregnancy.

   http://www.regardinghealth.com/nam/RHO/2004/06/Article.aspx?bmkEMC=14610

6. Sex & Intimacy after Menopause — Your sex life does not have to end with menopause. This fact sheet discusses the changes you may experience as you go through menopause, how you can optimize your sex life, and which related topics you may want to discuss with your doctor.

   http://www.healthywomen.org/resources/nwhrcpublications/dbpubs/fastfactssexafter

7. Sex After 50: How to Hold on to the Passion (Copyright © MFMER) — This publication explains the physical and psychological changes that can affect sexual function as you age and how you can improve your sex life as you grow older.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sexual-health/HA00035

8. Sexual Activity and Heart Disease or Stroke (Copyright © American Heart Association) — This publication answers questions about sex after stroke. It is a helpful aid for those who are uncomfortable discussing this sensitive topic and can offer hope for a healthy sex life after stroke.

   http://216.185.112.5/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4714

9. Sexual Dysfunction in Women: What Can I Do If Sex Isn't Working for Me? (Copyright © AAFP) — This publication explains the different types of sexual dysfunction, what causes them, how to know if you have a problem, and what you can do.

   http://familydoctor.org/612.xml

10. Vaginal Dryness (Copyright © MFMER) — Vaginal dryness is a common problem for women during and after menopause, although inadequate vaginal lubrication can occur at any age. This article discusses symptoms and treatment for vaginal dryness.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/vaginal-dryness/DS00550/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print...

Organizations

1.   National Institute on Aging, NIH, HHS
2. AGS Foundation for Health in Aging
3. American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 5, 2009.