Seniors

Women
For women, most changes are linked to menopause and reduced estrogen levels. Some women may lose elasticity and lubrication in the vagina, which can cause a burning sensation during intercourse. Some women may also have some vaginal bleeding after sex. Longer foreplay, lubricants or estrogen creams can work wonders in these situations. Visit our Sexual Health sections, specifically, Female Libido Enhancers for some safe, all-natural alternatives that can help you.

Men
As men age, it might take longer to achieve an erection and the erection may be less firm and may not last as long. Aging also increases the time between possible ejaculations. We all know there are pills to aid erection, but if you're not comfortable with these, there are other alternatives such as penile vacuum pumps. (See Male Sexual Health.)

For both men and women, there is no shame in using enhancement products. (Visit the Sexual Enhancers page for many safe, effective sexual enhancement products.) Many of them can be an intriguing addition to your love-making and most people find it enhances not only their desires, but their playfulness and emotional bonding. This brings us to the psychological factors.

Psychological Factors
Maintaining your ability to have enjoyable sex as you age depends on your mind as much as your body. First of all, never be ashamed of normal, healthy sexual desires. Anxiety adversely affects desire.

Changes in appearance as we age can also affect your emotional ability to connect. As you notice more wrinkles and gray hairs, you might feel less attractive. A poor body image will only serve to reduce your sex drive. There's nothing wrong with gray hair or wrinkles; why, they mean you've lived! People who truly love each other don't see these flaws. They see the person they fell in love with -- the heart and soul that binds them together. Anything else is nothing but vanity and vanity fulfills nothing.

The stress of worrying too much about performance, a wrinkle or gray hair isn't worthy losing an important element to human life: Intimacy. Relax; be accepting of who you are and who your partner is. Don't try to change them, just love them both emotionally and physically.