Sexuality In Older Women Research Articles

Dissemination of Older Women’s Ideas: A Study of New Perspectives on the Body and Sexuality of Older Women in China

This study focuses on analyzing older women’s perceptions of how they view sex and their bodies based on the context of the digital media age. An interdisciplinary theoretical perspective is used to analyze more objectively the women’s perspectives on sex and their bodies. There are three main research questions, i.e., what are older women’s perceptions of how they view sex and their bodies in different contexts? How do they see sex and bodies in the context of subject construction theory? And how do they understand sex under the framework analysis of sexuality? This paper uses the interview method to interview 10 elderly women aged 50-80 in Guangzhou, China. Two of them were selected for representative subject case analysis. It aims to find out whether there is any change in older women’s view of sex and body in the age of digital media.

Fatores socioeconômicos, hábitos de vida e saúde de mulheres idosas com e sem vivência sexual em um município no interior de Minas Gerais

Abstract Objective To assess and compare socioeconomic factors, lifestyle habits, and the health of older women with and without sexual experience. Method A quantitative, analytical, observational, and cross-sectional population-based study was conducted. Participants were divided into two groups: the CVS group (with sexual experience) and the SVS group (without sexual experience), based on the question: "Do you have an active sexual life?". Socioeconomic variables, sleep patterns, comorbidities, and the level of physical activity were analyzed using a question from the SRQ-20, a list based on the Work Ability Index, and the long version of the IPAQ, respectively. Descriptive analysis was performed using absolute frequencies and percentages. Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and multiple linear regression were used with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results The total sample consisted of 494 older women, with 100 of them in the CVS group. Having a stable partner (p<0.0001), a younger age (p<0.0001), higher family income (p<0.0001), duration of vigorous physical activity (p=0.005), and walking (p<0.0001) were significant and positive factors for continued sexual experience in the analyzed sample. Conclusion The study identified significant differences when comparing the groups, highlighting the influence of socioeconomic and health factors on the expression of sexuality in older women, thus emphasizing the challenges they face. Public policies and health education initiatives are necessary to safeguard rights, dignity, and promote positive changes in the lives of this population.

Visual ageism and the subtle sexualisation of older celebrities in L'Oréal's advert campaigns: a Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis

AbstractThis study focuses on the recent increase in the use of older celebrities in cosmetics advertising. It asks what kinds of ideas and values these images may attribute to discourses of ageing. Drawing on a Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) perspective, this study focuses on L'Oréal UK and Ireland Web advertisements, examining how these advertisements use older celebrities to redefine/reposition ageing and exploring how they relate to the notion of ‘successful ageing’. In these advertisements, using cosmetics is presented as a positive, empowering choice. The advertisements simultaneously promote new discourses about ageing in which older women's sexuality is presented as a form of power. However, the analysis shows that the underlying discourse pathologises ageing and presents ageing as something which can be evaded through the consumption of cosmetics. It thus turns ageing into a choice, but one where the ‘right choice’ aligns with neo-liberal ideas about ageing well. For women, decision-making about ageing seems to be a never-ending process that requires constant construction, promoted through the older celebrity's sexualisation. Women are expected to always look good and present the best versions of themselves, even at the latest stages of life, which reproduces and legitimises sexist and ageist expectations about women's appearances, including the expectations that for older women to remain visible and attractive, they must hide outward signs of ageing.

Patterns and changes of sexual expression in older Czech women

Despite the growing body of research on sexuality in older women, few studies have explored the transformative moments in their sexual trajectories and reexamined the notion of the plasticity of later-life sexuality. Seventeen interviews with participants aged 52-69 were analysed using grounded theory. The analysis identified key turning points and subtle moments that constituted the base for the variability of sexual expression, made the women shift from suppressed to partnered sexual expression, and had the potential to completely transform their sexual trajectories. Later-life sexual expression was situation- and context-dependent, making the framework of plasticity suitable for describing later-life female sexuality.

Sexual satisfaction in the elderly women

Several myths regarding older women's sexuality, especially after menopause, (e.g., As women age, the pleasure they get from sex decreases, After menopause women lose their sexual desire) seem to be nourished by an emphasis on sexual function over satisfactory sexual experiences. The fact that sexual dysfunction tend to increase with age (e.g., Goldmeier et al., 2000; Lindau et al, 2007; Song et al., 2008; Walsh & Berman, 2004) while sexual desire, orgasm, and frequency of sexual activity tend to decrease (e.g., DeLamater & Still, 2004; Hayes, 2008; Kontula & Haavio-Manilla, 2009), at some level also conveys the idea that pleasure and satisfaction decrease accordingly. Although related, should it be assumed that sexual functioning and satisfaction follow the same pattern? What possible role could sexual beliefs play on explaining sexual satisfaction evolution with age? Our aim was to examine predictors of women's sexual satisfaction with ageing, particularly exploring the role of sexual beliefs, relationship variables, and sexual functioning.

Cougars on the prowl? New perceptions of older women's sexuality

Images of women's sexuality beyond the age of forty are lacking in popular culture. Recently, however, the term cougar has been embraced by American media as a label describing “older” women who assertively pursue younger sexual partners. This term and women's opinions of it can be viewed as exemplary of two competing ideologies about aging and sexuality. These are: 1) recognition of older women's sexual desire, consistent with new trends that promote lifelong sexual health and sexual activity; or, 2) linking aging and asexuality, when the term cougar is used as a pejorative that reinforces age and gender stereotypes. Based on in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of 84 women in their 20s–60s, we explore reactions to this term and its implications for women's aging and sexuality. We find that the majority of women viewed the label cougar negatively, or had mixed feelings about what it suggests regarding older women's sexuality, particularly as it marked women as predators or aggressors. Some women, however, embraced the term or its meaning, as indicative of the reality of older women's sexuality and continued sexual desire.

Factors influencing older black women's sexual functioning and their disclosure of sexual concerns.

The study of older women's sexual health has been very limited. Most of the available research in this area is on Caucasian older women; a few studies have targeted the sexuality of older Black women. There could be several reasons for this and for the common reluctance of these women to disclose information on their sexual health. The aim of this review was to discuss factors influencing older black women's sexual functioning and their disclosure of sexual concerns. In this article, we first briefly reviewed the literature on sexual health among older women, then covered historical and social issues that are likely to influence older Black women's sexuality as well as their common reluctance to disclose intimate details of their lives to their health providers. This information could be important for researchers as well as healthcare professionals. Specific groups of clinicians potentially interested in this discussion are sexual health professionals, couples' counsellors as well as other professionals attempting to address older patients' problems such as relationship, intimacy and sex challenges. Without knowledge of critical issues such as the potentially traumatizing historical events and the multiple societal pressures that are likely to impact these women's sexuality and disclosure of sexual concerns, it would be difficult for researchers and clinicians to get an accurate account of older Black women's sexual needs. Older Black women's sexuality is a very delicate and complex topic. We encourage interested professionals to make an effort to become more aware of what is potentially holding back older Black women from disclosing their sexual concerns to them, and have provided some historical information and research suggestions to guide professionals interested in investigating older African American women's sexuality in a more tactful and culturally-sensitive way.

Improvement of Older Women's Sexuality Through Emancipatory Education

The purpose of this action research (AR) was to explore the ways in which sexuality is experienced daily and to improve the expression of older women's sexuality. The pedagogy of autonomy as proposed by the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire theoretically supported this AR, with the participation of six older adult women living in a rural setting in southwest Brazil. The older women's experiences regarding sexuality, their concerns, and their educational demands could be summarized through five phrases: the improvement of self-esteem as a way to promote sexuality; sexuality impaired by loneliness and lack of affection; men's sexual satisfaction seen as a woman's obligation; women's sexuality controlled by the society; and relinquishment of the companion to attend to the expectations of family members. Dialogical and participative educational approaches and continuous observation–participation strategies were performed to support the women's care and educational requirements.

HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Sexuality in Later Life

In this article, we review recent evidence indicating that people over the age of 50years are increasingly at risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and that-thanks to the success of highly active antiretroviral therapies-those infected with HIV are now living into older age. We show that health professionals and society in general have been reluctant to acknowledge sexuality in older adults. Sexuality until recently has been regarded as merely a matter of male potency and sexual function, whereas older women's sexuality and desires have been ignored. Changing patterns of sexual practices, including high rates of divorce and partner change in the older age groups, indicate that focus and concern with sex and sexuality in later life will become part of routine prevention and maintenance of sexual health.

Aging and Sexuality: How Much Do Gynecologists Know and Care?

Enhanced knowledge and healthy attitudes toward aging sexuality can help promote the perception that full sexual expression is part of the entire extent of adulthood. We sought to determine gynecologists' knowledge and attitude regarding sexuality in older women. A total of 141 gynecologists in five hospitals responded to the survey: Aging Sexual Attitude and Knowledge Scale (ASKAS). No correlation was found between respondents' knowledge and attitude (r = .06, p = .54); no correlation found between respondents' age and knowledge (r = .20, p = .02), but 20% of the variance in attitude could be explained by age (beta 0.20, p = .02). Neither gender, ethnicity, level of training, nor hospital location demonstrated a significant correlation to either knowledge or attitude scores.

Sexuality in older women with mental health problems

As women age, physiological, anatomical and psychological changes may affect sexual function. They may develop physical illnesses or take prescribed drugs which also affect their sexual functioning. Heterosexual women may be disadvantaged by the relative unavailability of partners. Sexual dysfunction may occur in the context of mental ill-health, particularly the dementias and depressive illnesses. Consent to sexual activity may present ethical dilemmas. Education is an important aspect of management. Psychological and social treatment approaches are often appropriate before consideration of drug treatments. The recognition, assessment and treatment of sexual dysfunction in elderly women with mental health problems may improve their quality of life.

Sexuality and continence in older women

Little has been written about the impact of continence problems on sexuality in older women. Hazel Health explores the issues

A CORRELATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING SEXUALITY IN WOMEN AGE 50 AND OLDER

To investigate a biopsychosocial perspective of sexuality in women age 50 and older, 657 community-residing women completed anonymous surveys, including demographics; health; self-esteem; intimacy; and sexual knowledge, attitudes, interest, participation, and satisfaction. Cronbach's alphas for major variables ranged from .52 (sexual knowledge) to .92 (intimacy). Mean scores for major variables ranged from 2.96 (sexual participation) to 3.43 (self-esteem, sexual attitudes). Significant correlations were described among the predictor variables and sexual interest, participation, and satisfaction. Significant predictors of sexual interest, participation, and satisfaction were identified through stepwise multiple regression procedures. Findings suggest a biopsychosocial model for clinicians to use in assessment and intervention with older women and sexual issues, for educators to use to organize teaching about aging and female sexuality, and for researchers to use to investigate older women's sexuality in different samples of older women.

Sexual Dysfunction in Older Adults

Not only is sexual function an obvious requirement for the survival of the human race, but sex also is a major contributor to quality of life. During the recent past, there has been a dramatic increase in our understanding of sexual function and dysfunction in older men. There is, however, limited scientific information on the sexuality of older women. It is important that clinicians understand what is known about ways we can assist our older patients when they suffer from sexual dysfunction.

Issues of sexuality in older women.

The aim of this exploratory research study was to investigate the attitudes of women over 60 toward sexuality and intimacy, to elicit which issues concerning sexuality and intimacy are important to them, and to gather their perceptions of how issues of sexuality and intimacy are addressed by the medical profession. Fourteen women aged 60-85 participated in three focus group interviews organized in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. We qualitatively measured recurring themes in attitudes about sexuality. Although they grew up in a generation when sex and sexuality were rarely discussed, these older women did not have any problem talking about sex, sexuality, and their attitudes towards these topics within the focus group setting. The participants felt on the whole, that sexuality is, and will continue to be, an important part of their lives. There was consensus that they would feel comfortable talking to their family doctor about their own or their partner's problems if asked but might not volunteer the information. Sex and sexuality are important issues to these older women. Male impotence is the most common problem that affects these older women's sex lives. They need more information about normal changes with aging that affect sexuality of older women and men. These women have rarely been afforded the opportunity to discuss sexuality with their physician. The small sample size of this pilot study provided useful information but is not definitive in its conclusions. Further research is needed to determine physician attitudes and practices concerning sex and sexuality in this age group.

Older Women's Sexuality

An exploratory study was conducted to investigate clinical observations of older women's interests in sexuality, Interviews with 10 high functioning women with an average age of 68.8 years revealed that while incidence of sexuality has declined, their overall satisfaction with sex has stayed the same or increased from when they were younger. The lack of a sexual partner or illness of a spouse were typical reasons reported for the decline in sexual activity. A descriptive summary of these interviews is followed by a discussion of the implications for therapy. Several case examples are used to illustrate the benefits of initiating discussions of sexuality with older women in therapy.

Sexuality in Older Women

A host of biological and psychosocial factors play an important role in age-related changes of female sexuality. The most important of these are the availability of a sexually active partner and presence of concurrent illnesses. Some of the age-related changes in physiological indicators of sexual function, such as vaginal blood flow, are the result of estrogen deficiency, and as such are essentially reversible. Despite the inherent limitations of many studies in female sexuality, a significant degree of objective measurements has been reported in the literature. Future research should focus on developing appropriate techniques for quantitative estimation of sexual response in women. The need for love and sexual intimacy does not diminish with age, and sexual history should be part of the clinical evaluation of older patients.

Sexuality in older women

Sexuality in older women