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A
Dear Concerned About Sex at Sixty,
Throughout the life of a normal,
healthy person there are ups and
downs in our sexual desires. People who are harried, worried or
under extreme emotional stress often feel flat about sex. As we
grow older we can still enjoy sex but sometimes the drive is somewhat
muted. This can be due to physical factors, or the reasons mentioned
above. There are specialists in the field who can be consulted
-- guidance counselors, sexologists and neurologists and they
have means of assisting those concerned about the problem.
However it is important to note that
sex is not the only way to demonstrate love and as couples mature
they may often achieve intimacy through other physical contact
such as hugging, holding hands or massaging each other's back.
Because you are deeply connected
to your husband, as you state in your letter, you can show him
in many and sundry ways how you feel about him without engaging
in the sex act. Open communications about the situation is very
important, because your lack of enthusiasm in bed can easily be
misinterpreted by your partner.
In previous generations it was thought
that sex was no longer "suitable" for the older age
group. We all remember the poor jokes and negative publicity that
were given to "dirty old men" who showed an unseemly
interest in copulation.
Today it is understood that the sex
drive remains with us almost throughout our lives and is a part
of the human makeup at all stages. Nevertheless there are good
physiological reasons why women after menopause may be less turned
on than their male partners and it is well that both husbands
and wives understand these reasons. Then if there is still a great
desire to rejuvenate the fountain of youth, there are experts
who can give assistance. Age need not rule out a satisfying sex
life.
Leah
Abromowitz
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