Women's Sexual Health and Aging.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sexual Health
• Women's Health

Background:

• Older women are frequently sexually active, but healthcare providers rarely discuss sexual concerns.
• While sexual desire may decrease with age, most older women consider sex important, valuing emotional intimacy.
• Older women often face challenges such as lack of partners or partners with sexual dysfunction, and increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of addressing sexual health in older women.
• To identify common sexual concerns and barriers to discussion with healthcare providers.
• To advocate for proactive physician inquiry and intervention regarding sexual function in older women.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on sexual activity and concerns in older women.
• Analysis of the prevalence of sexual problems and their common causes.
• Examination of patient-physician communication patterns regarding sexual health.

Main Results:

• A majority of older women are sexually active and consider sex important, often for emotional intimacy.
• Common sexual problems include low desire and genitourinary syndrome (vulvovaginal atrophy); partner erectile dysfunction can affect female orgasm.
• Up to 50% of sexually active older women experience distressing sexual issues, and STIs are increasingly prevalent.

Conclusions:

• Physicians should proactively inquire about sexual activity and function in older women.
• Interventions should include managing chronic conditions affecting sexual health, treating vulvovaginal atrophy, and providing STI screening and prevention.
• Addressing sexual concerns can significantly improve the quality of life for sexually active older women.