Sexual desires and activity aren’t static. They change throughout life for lots of reasons, such as having children, coming to terms with sexual orientation, or physical or mental illness. Growing older can also have an effect on sex, but it’s important to realize that this is normal.
ANDROGEN
ANDROPAUSE (Male Menopause)
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
HYPOGONADISM (Low Testosterone)
INFERTILITY
PEYRONIE’S DISEASE
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES/INFECTIONS
TESTICULAR CANCER
Talking about sexual health contributes its own dynamics for a person and within a relationship. Men tend to not be comfortable discussing their sexual health. They may joke around with it when they are around their male friends, but are they really asking the right questions or expressing their experiences to make their friends provide support or guidance? Very rarely. Add to that the personal relationship with a partner. In a perfect world partners would speak openly about their want, desires, likes, and dislikes. But that doesn’t always happen either.
RELATIONSHIPS LATER IN LIFE: POST DIVORCE, WIDOWED, ETC.
Starting a new relationship later in life can be daunting but exciting as well. The rise in divorce rates means that more people are single and dating. Some people who have lost a long-term partner may feel guilty about getting involved with someone else and starting a sexual relationship, which can affect the ability to have sex. Talking about these feelings with the new partner, a therapist, or both, can help to address this.
Feelings like stress, anxiety and depression are natural after a diagnosis of this nature and can often cause a loss of interest in sex. If this is the case, you might like to find other ways of being physically close and intimate with your partner. You could spend time hugging, kissing and touching instead. This may also be reassuring for your partner.
It is also important to remember that all age groups can get, and pass on, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including herpes, chlamydia and HIV. Condoms can help to protect against STIs, so talk to your new partner about using them.