Sex gets better with age, says psychologist
Published:Wednesday | July 24, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Jermaine Francis, Gleaner Writer
The notion that people lose interest in sexual activities as they get older is a baseless myth. This is according to clinical psychologist and university lecturer, Dr Karen Carpenter.
Delivering the inaugural Dr Wynante Patterson Memorial Lecture last week at the Alhambra Inn in St Andrew under the theme 'Sexuality like Fine Wine, Mellows with Age', Carpenter argued that as men and women get older, the need for intimacy and companionship increases.
Some of the myths she sought to debunk include the thinking that women lose the ability to orgasm with age, men are unable to maintain a healthy erection as they grow older, and too much sex is bad for one's health beyond a certain age.
quality changes
Carpenter said what changes is the quality of these sexual encounters in comparison to the quantity most yearned for during their youth. She said the ability to meaningfully engage the sexual organs is never lost because of age.
"As you age, you become a gourmet instead of a glutton. When we are young we want the most food on our plate. But as you get older, you realise you can have a little bit of really good-quality stuff," she noted.
She said in the case of women, the urge for sex does not decrease with age. In fact, she said as women go through menopause and their testosterone levels increase, their libido will also go up.
However, she said what is often lacking is the intellectual stimulation that is needed for older folks to let their guard down and enjoy sex.
"You need intellectual stimulation to stimulate the sexual organs. The sexual organs are intelligent. The mind directs the organs of the body. And people who have great intellectual compatibility will enjoy longer relationships, the research shows," Carpenter said.
She said recent studies show that frequent orgasms also have good health benefits for both older men and women.
Carpenter said medical professionals have determined that orgasms can aid in better sleep patterns for women and the prevention of prostate cancer in men.
She noted that sex is also a good aid in the management of pains. Carpenter said research has shown that persons experiencing severe pain usually experience relief after having sex.
"Regular ejaculations assist in your body being healthy, whether it is assisted (with a companion) or self-pleasure," the doctor noted.