6 April 2009CHANGES IN SEXUALITY WITH AGE
Changes in sex-related characteristics which occur in humans with advancing age include both physiological changes and behavioral changes. The latter are the result of physiological or psychological causes or both. It generally is true that aging, per se, is only one of a number of variables which interact to reduce sexuality in older people. Aging, although it has powerful physiological effects, cannot be viewed as the primary cause of changes in sexuality. Most research suggests that aging produces many general physical changes which combined with sociopsychological variables influence sexuality.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to isolate those aspects of human sexuality which only physiology (or age-related physiological change) influences. The relationship between biology and sexual behavior in humans is not fully understood. Many correlational studies point to the importance of endocrine structures as they support reproductive functioning, but since sexuality in humans involves more than reproductive capacity, isolating physiological mechanisms cannot tell the whole story. Much less is known about specific psychological mechanisms (for example, early experience and learning, cognitive style) as they affect sexuality and certainly the complex interaction of these variables is not known.
This essay will outline the principle differences between sexually mature humans and their elderly counterparts in terms of physiological factors, sexual capacity, activity, and attitudes.
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