Nowadays, even elderly people lead an active life - they travel and continue doing the things they enjoyed in their youth, including sex. It is generally known that all ages are submissive to love. Intimacy is usually a follow-up of romantic feelings.

Both men and women wish to continue fulfilling relationships at any age. A healthy sex life has a positive influence on all aspects of our life, including our physical health and self-esteem.

Although cinema and television are persistently trying to convince us that only teenagers and young people have sex, mildly speaking it is not true. The need for intimacy does not disappear with the years. It is impossible to “outgrow” a need for love, emotional closeness and intimacy. Most people still have sexual fantasies at the age of 80 and 90.

It is true that the sex at 80 is not the same as it was at 20, but it does not really mean that sex life of the elderly can no longer be satisfying and enjoyable. It will be easier for you to prepare yourself for possible problems in sex life if you understand age-related changes that happen in your body and in the body of your partner.

Natural age-related changes

As you know, your body grows older and simply "wears out"; and these natural age-related changes can affect your sexual relations. Although physical changes are usually the most discussed issue, you should not forget about the psychological changes your body undergoes.

Physical changes

Testosterone regulates both men's and women's sex drive (libido). Aging men and women produce enough testosterone to maintain their interest in sex. Even though some aspects of sex will cause more difficulties as you age, these changes offer an incentive to try new positions and techniques.

Age-related physical changes in women's organisms are generally connected with menopause and decreased levels of estrogen. Most women have less vaginal lubrication as they get older and it takes longer for the vagina to lubricate during sexual arousal. Your vagina becomes less elastic. All these changes may make your sexual intercourse less comfortable or even painful. In addition to that, women can feel burning pain and during penetration or discover vaginal bleeding after a sexual intercourse.

In order to stimulate your natural vaginal lubrication, it is helpful to make foreplay a focus. Another solution to this problem is the usage of water-based sexual lubricants, such as K-Y jelly, conjugated estrogen creams or estrogen replacement therapy. Regular sex helps to maintain lubrication and elasticity of the vagina. Long-term sexual abstinence can cause the loss of vaginal elasticity, so it may take some time to stretch vagina to accept a penis. Talk to your partner about slower movements in order to minimize your pain.

Psychological changes

Maintaining your ability to have sex at elderly age depends not only on your body, but also on your mind. If you feel embarrassed or ashamed of your sexual needs, anxiety and stress can have a negative impact on your ability to become aroused. Age-related changes in your appearance may also influence your emotional sincerity and the ability to have sexual relations. The more wrinkles and grey hairs you notice, the less self-esteem you have. You do not feel attractive. Negative self-feeling restrain your sexual desire, as you feel unworthy of sexual attention from your partner and do not trust him.

Stresses and worries about sexual performance and possible failures can provoke male impotence (Erectile dysfunction) and female frigidity (sexual arousal disorder). Slow down and you will be able to avoid emotional pressure.

Discuss this topic with your partner and tell him about your worries and anxiety. His or her support will help you to boost your confidence up.

How to improve your sex life, as you age

Many elderly people consider their current sex life to be richer than in their youth. They are sure that sex gets better with age, as good wine. Improving your sex life requires talking with your partner about sex problems and fantasies, and making changes in your sex program.

Expand your conception of sex

Sex is not just a series of physical exercises for your satisfaction. Sex is more than a vaginal penetration. When getting older, many people begin appreciating intimate talks before and after sex, which make a sexual intercourse more interesting. Sexual petting can be a good alternative to the intercourse, and caressing, even simple cuddling, can lead to an orgasm (recollect the movie "Last Tango in Paris"). Think about erotic massage, masturbation or oral sex.

Communicate with your partner more often.

Nothing can bring you closer to your partner as communication. Discuss the changes you are going through to understand how to do away with discomfort and make your sex life better. A different position or some other sexual activity, such as massage or cuddling might become a solution. Question your partner about his or her needs and fantasies, and think over how you can satisfy them. The discussion of sex issues itself is arousing and can become a wonderful foreplay.

Make changes to your sex routine

Simple changes can improve your sex life. Fix a different time for sex; choose a time when you feel more energetic. Try making love in the morning, when you feel refreshed after a night sleep and do not postpone sex to the end of a long day, when you are tired and exhausted. As it may take longer for you to become aroused, take more time to set a romantic stage, e.g. a romantic dinner, an evening party for two or dancing. Try new sexual positions; do not stick to a missionary position. Find a position, which is comfortable for you and your partner.

Manage your expectations

If you did not have a frequent sex in your early days, you should not expect to become a "sex-machine" in your middle life. Maybe you were used to expressing your intimacy in other ways, such as an absorbing conversation. If that is the case, the situation will be the same when you become older. Couples who enjoyed frequent sex when they were younger are more likely to continue that as they age.

Your health is in your hands

A healthy diet and regular sport exercises help you stay in good shape. As a result, you will be fit and prepared for sex at any age. Try keeping a balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables. Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day, on every day of the week. Drink less alcohol, as it decreases sexual potency at both men and women. Illegal drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine, have a negative impact on sexual functions, too.

If you do not have a sexual partner, it does not really mean you should give up sex for lost. More then a half of people over 65 are single in the US. Even at this age you can fins a new love or experience a new romance that will lead to intimacy. Women live longer than men. That is why there are more single women in the world, and it is quite difficult to find a partner for them at a mature age. Try visiting such places where it is possible to meet people of your age, such as special geriatric centers and stores. It is never late to start a new relationship.

Do not forget about safe sex when you have a new sex partner. Many elderly couples ignore this rule as they are sure they are not at risk of venereal diseases, including AIDS. Contrary to a popular belief, AIDS is not a disease of young people. In the United States of America more than 10 percent of AIDS-infected are people over 50. Every sexually active person, regardless of their age, can contract a venereal disease. Do not change your sex partner or practice safe sex by using condoms. Discuss the opportunities of being tested for HIV with your sexual partner. Elderly people take a HIV tests quite seldom

Consult your doctor

Elderly people feel embarrassed to discuss sex issues with their doctors. However, such conversations can help you to understand age-related changes of your body and mind, and their influence on your sexual activity.

Some women do not have any problems with their periods, while others complain of severe pain, fatigue and irritability every month. Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain, occurs when the uterus contracts to expel dead endometrial tissue. In order to relieve the pain you can try taking a warm bath or consult a gynecologist (or some experienced woman, e.g. a mother, or an elder sister).

The most drastic remedy is a pain reliever. Simple physical exercises can also alleviate discomfort.

“For moderate to severe cramps, I recommend starting with ibuprofen 200 milligrams four times daily or naproxen sodium 220 milligrams twice daily. Again, increase as needed to the maximum dosage and frequency. If cramps are moderate or severe, it is also important to continue taking the pain reliever regularly, even if there is no pain when the dosage is due. The regimen should be continued until the day when symptoms would subside, which is usually by the third day of the menstrual period. If ibuprofen or naproxen sodium at the maximum daily dose does not relieve symptoms adequately, it’s time to contact your health care provider. Also, there are prescription-only medications that are especially effective against the other problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Don’t give up hope. Under medical supervision, higher doses and other medications are safe and effective” (source)

NAPROXEN is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. This medicine may be used for dental pain, headache, or painful monthly periods.

Anaprox

Naprelan

Aleve

You may have heard of Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. Premenstrual syndrome is a malfunction in women’s organism before a menstrual cycle. Women who suffer from PMS experience headache, back pain, they feel irritability and mood swings. Other common symptoms of PMS are breast swelling, breast tenderness and emotional vulnerability.

Some women are not subjected to PMS, but others experience even more than the above-listed symptoms. There are drugs which help to ease the symptoms of Premenstrual syndrome and are available without a medical prescription. Reduced salt consumption can also be helpful. If symptoms of PMS poison your life, it is better to consult a doctor, and he will definitely advise some effective treatment of Premenstrual syndrome.

Pads or tampons?

Didn’t you make up your mind yet about what to use once you get your monthly period - pads or tampons? Well, you are the one who makes a choice.

Useful tips about your menstruation

You should pay attention on the intensity of your menstrual flow – it will help you to understand how often you should change your sanitary pad or a tampon. It is not a good idea to use Ultra absorbency tampons. It would be better to take tampons for a light flow and to change them more often. Furthermore, simultaneously with tampons you may use pantiliners, which provide dryness and comfort, and safely protect underwear and clothes.

Today one can find a wide variety of brands and styles of menstrual pads and tampons (known as Feminine Hygiene Products) available. However, this wide choice of goods makes it sometimes difficult to decide on what is better for you. As a rule, absorbency rating system of tampons and pads indicated on the box helps you determine which tampon or pad is right for the amount of your menstrual blood. You should try to correlate the intensity of your flow with the necessary absorbing capacity. It is important to read all special packaging instructions carefully. After trying different hygiene products, you will definitely find those tampons or pads which suit you best.

You should better start a menstrual cycle calendar to keep track of your monthly periods, marking their first day and their duration. It will help you to estimate the duration of your menstrual cycle and to prepare beforehand for this unpleasant time.

Don’t let menstruation to catch you off guard! Don’t forget to put some tampons or pads into your purse as the menstruation can start when no hygiene products are available. Even if you haven't started your period yet, this simple security measure will help you welcome your “guests” fully armed. Besides, you will be able to lend a tampon or a pad to an “unequipped” friend. That happens pretty often.

What you should know about menstruation

Your first menstruation can considerably differ from following ones. It takes several months for a menstrual cycle to establish and become regular, you will also need some months to get used to your periods. You should respect your body and show patience, as you enter a new period of life. If you have any questions, consult your mother or your elder sister.

It is better to avoid scented pads and tampons. Chemical fragrant ingredients can irritate mucous membranes and skin. Normal menstrual flow has no unpleasant odor; on the contrary strong odor means that you do not maintain good personal hygiene. In that case we recommend you to change a pad or a tampon more often. If it does not help, it is better to consult a gynecologist

Some women even at a mature age feel uncomfortable while discussing this topic and are too shy to buy hygiene products in the drugstore or in the convenient store. If you feel the same, keep in mind that the menstrual cycle is a natural and integral part of life of any woman.

Erection (what helps and what prevents it from the scientific point of view)

Speaking of men’s health, the first thing to cross one’s mind is such a delicate theme as erectile functions. Unfortunately, as nowadays we have to face stresses in our daily lives, this topic is becoming more and more urgent. Even young men suffer from erectile dysfunctions. It is quite natural that male impotence is a vital issue for both sexes, as erectile dysfunctions often become the main reason for break-ups of many happy families. Let alone that erectile problems seriously hurt psychological state and self-esteem of representatives of the stronger sex.

Where do these problems come from after all?

Various factors can become causes of sexual dysfunction, but without any doubt psychology plays the leading role. Alas, standard of knowledge of our population on this issue for well-known reasons falls slightly behind of sex competence of e.g. west-Europeans, let alone the Hindu and the Chinese. Not every one of us knows that sometimes erection is not obtained without any clear reasons. It is pretty natural and does not indicate sexual weakness and what is more – development of the impotence, as a lot of men suppose. But it is just the thoughts like this that give impetus to the birth of the psychological complex, when the impeding sexual intimacy provokes not the anticipation of enjoyment, but anxiety and panic: what if I fail as I did last time?

If during love games you concentrate all your attention not on the beloved woman, but on this question, your chances of failure multiply greatly. The trouble is that if a man lacks self-confidence, instead of devoting himself to his natural instincts then, he will be observing his partner’s reactions and the state of his erection. In other words, a man tries to keep his erection under conscious supervision, while this phenomenon is regulated only on subconscious level, instinctively. It’s clear that such an approach does more harm than good. Constant “accidents” eventually lead to the development of a so-called psychological form of erectile dysfunction.

Women influence a lot on men’s self-confidence. Disdainful glance, sneer, or even some unsuccessful joke can turn even a macho man into a psychological impotent. And vice versa, the understanding of the situation and adequate reaction of a beloved woman will bring not a shadow of a doubt about men’s sex abilities.

Right psychological mood towards sex failures is extremely important during the sexual intercourse. This fact is supporte

The organism of the woman is arranged very difficult, for the first time the girl faces these complexities at teenage age when she has a first menses in this connection, there comes reorganization of work of all organism. The set of nuances of maturing and work of a female organism demand an explanation and it is better, if during this period to the girl will explain, that particularly occurs in her organism.

That occurs in an organism of the girl in period "reorganization"

The body of the girl is formed under the influence of female sexual hormones of estrogens: the body weight is enlarged, primary sexual signs (the breast develops, changes affect external and internal genitals) are formed. When the weight of a body of the girl reaches certain level, work joins the higher regulator of activity of endocrine system of an organism - a hypothalamus (the site of a brain which is responsible for work of hormones). Therefore at girls who have the big weight, puberty comes earlier. The hypothalamus influences the main gland of internal secretion - a pituitary gland, which in reply to this signal starts to produce gonadotrophic (stimulating development of sexual hormones) hormones - luteinizing and follicle-stimulating (a LH and a FSH). Under the influence of these hormones in ovaries (female gonads) female sexual hormones (estrogens and progesterone) are produced and the first ovum ripens.

With the first the FSH starts to operate - it stimulates development of estrogens and supervises ovum maturing. The ovum ripens in a special blister, a follicle. When it has ripened, work joins a LH which promotes rupture of a cover of a follicle (this moment is called as an ovulation) and to an ovum exit outside. The ovum goes to travel on a fallopian tube for an occurring there with a spermatozoon. At this time along with rising of level the LH becomes perceptible lifting of level a FSH and testosterone (a man's sexual hormone which in small amounts always is present at an organism of the woman). Small rising of level of testosterone leads to more strongly pronounced sexual inclination.

Under the influence of estrogens the uterus prepares for reception of the fertilized ovum (germ): in it the mucosa to which the fertilized ovum should be attached expands. The LH promotes development in the remained torn cover of a follicle (he turns to a yellow body) progesterone which quantity accrues after an ovulation. If fertilizations does not come, the uterus mucosa is torn away and there comes a menses.

All phases of a menstrual cycle are formed far not at once, it occurs approximately within a year. If hypothalamus or pituitary gland work there can come wrong formation of a menstrual cycle is broken, that is come a delay of sexual development.

What is menarche?

If hormonal development of the girl goes correctly in 12-13 years she has a first menses or menarche. Menarche usually occurs in two years after there are first changes in breast development. During this period there is an active development of a body that to female type: hips become wider, mammary glands are formed, the size of external female genitals is enlarged and their pilosis on female type begins. Menarche is a main sign of puberty of the female organism, specifying in ability of an organism to pregnancy.

Female sexual hormones (estrogen and progesterone) cause a swelling of mammary glands, augmentation of volume of the slime allocated from the channel cervix, growth of a mucosa of a uterus etc., that is prepare an organism for pregnancy. Man's sexual hormones are responsible for sexual inclination. Disturbance of a parity of female and man's sexual hormones, and also insufficiency of gonadotrophic hormones (a LH and a FSH) cause various disturbances in maturing of an organism of the girl.

Offensive time menarche depends on physical development of the girl, its food, the transferred diseases, life conditions etc. Harbingers menarche there can be differences in mood and state of health (irritability, fatigability, depressions, delicacy, headaches, giddiness, pains in the bottom of a stomach, a nausea etc.).

Influence of stresses on formation of a menstrual cycle of the girl

In formation of a menstrual cycle and reorganization of work of all organism the girl becomes very sensitive to a various sort to emotional influences. Stresses promote depression of work of a hypothalamus which not so actively "demands" development by a pituitary gland of gonadotrophic hormones a LH and a FSH. Depression of quantity the LH and a FSH in blood lead to depression of development of female sexual hormones. It can be shown by full absence of a menses (amenorrhea) or sharp disturbance of their regularity.

The first menses can cause a stress condition if it to it not to prepare in the girl, therefore the girl at the age of 10-11 years already should know, that occurs in its organism, it should be psychologically ready to occurrence of the first menses - menarche.

In what cases it is necessary to address to the children's gynecologist?

Very early or, on the contrary, later menarche can be as a norm variant (for example, congenital feature which was at mother), and a disease sign.

Very early occurrence menarche (till 10 years) should be an occasion to the reference to the doctor: it can be a sign of a tumor of a brain or ovaries. Later maturing (after 15 years) can be a sign of any hormonal disturbances and consequently also should be consulted at the gynecologist.