Sex has been prevalent in human life for centuries and is known to improve physical and psychological well-being. With age, the sexual functions and desires of an individual may decline, but this doesn’t mean it disappeared entirely.
As people age, their bodies go through significant changes that can affect their sexual health and function.
In this article, we will explore what happens to your sex life after 60 and what you can do to maintain an active sex life.
Changes in Your Body
As you age, your body goes through several changes that can play a role in your sexual health. The following are some of the physical changes that can occur as you age:.
Decreased Hormone Production
As you age, your body produces a lower amount of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. This reduced production of hormones can result in a lower sex drive, decreased sexual response, and changes in pubic hair growth and sexual organs.
Changes in Sexual Organs
The tissue in your vagina can become thinner and less elastic as you age. This could make sex painful, even with sufficient lubrication. In men, the prostate gland enlarges with age, which can lead to a decrease in the amount of semen during ejaculation.
Decreased Blood Flow
As a person ages, their blood vessels may lose elasticity and flexibility, leading to lower blood flow to the genital organs. This can lead to decreased vaginal lubrication in women and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.
Health Conditions
As you age, you may develop health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions that can affect your sex drive and sexual function.
Additionally, medications used to manage these conditions can have side effects that reduce libido and sexual function.
Sex Life After 60: What To Expect
While the physical changes that come with aging can impact your sex life, it doesn’t mean you can’t have or enjoy sex after 60. Here is what you can expect as you get older:.
Lower Sex Drive
For many people over 60, the sex drive and desire for sex may simply decrease. However, the amount of physical intimacy and sexual pleasures you can have doesn’t have to be over.
Delayed Sexual Response
You may find that it takes longer for your body to become aroused than when you were younger. With that being said, this doesn’t necessarily mean less pleasure or reduced sexual function.
Instead, older adults often rely more on emotional intimacy cues to achieve arousal, leading to more prolonged sexual experiences.
Difficulty with Erections or Lubrication
Older men may experience difficulty getting or maintaining an erection and women may experience less sexual lubrication. These issues can make sex painful or difficult, but it is essential to know that there are ways to manage them.
Something as simple as including more foreplay into sex can help women produce more natural lubrication. In men, options like Viagra or others can help alleviate ED and allow for healthier erections.
New Sexual Experiences
Many couples discover new ways to experience sexual pleasure as they grow older. This often comes from increased emotional intimacy and increased sexual communication with a partner.
At this point in life, you may find that other methods of sexual stimulation and exploration provide joy and excitement, like role-playing, sex toys, or other physical/mental stimuli.
How to Keep Your Sex Life Active After 60
If you’re entering your golden years and want to keep your sex life healthy, here are some tips:.
Keep a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle greatly improves sex life after 60. Exercising regularly, eating well, and avoiding unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol or cigarette smoking can improve blood flow and overall sexual function.
Spend Time Together
Couples that spend quality time together often experience increased emotional intimacy and better sex lives.
A great way to establish this intimacy is through date nights, romantic trips, and other activities that strengthen the emotional bond between partners.
Be Open and Honest
When you talk openly with your partner about sexual desires, preferences, and needs, it can help to improve the quality of sexual experiences.
Communicating with your partner about sexual needs reduces stress and builds more comfortable sexual activity.
Try New Things
Keep your sex life fresh by trying new things. Experimenting with new positions, toys and other factors can help bring excitement and build intimacy with a partner.
Always remember though to ensure a comfort level with both parties and keep a sense of communication between both people.
The Bottom Line
As you age and enter your golden years, you may notice a decrease in your sex drive or sexual function due to physical changes, health conditions, and medications. However, sex after 60 is not only feasible, but it can also be enjoyable too.
Through communicating your needs, living a healthy lifestyle, and trying new things, you can keep your sex life fun and functional well into your older years.