| خلاصه مقاله | Sexuality, as noted by WHO, is a capability of human being in developing and maintaining a satisfied normal life experience in which fantasies, drives, desires, pleasure, values, attitude, orientation, roles and behaviors may play a pivotal role.
There are some mythologies and misconceptions which imply that the older people lack the above-mentioned needs. It is sometimes prevailed that the parents or grandparents “have no sex” or “do gentle and soft sex “to meet their basic needs. This ignorance may arise from the belief that sex is important in young people who possess beauty and health. The main issue here is that while growing older, he or she needs more intimacy than the younger counterparts!
As 25 percent of the world population is now older than 60 and it is estimated that the number will be higher in the future, it is obligatory to consider the sexual health in the Elderly as it occurs among the Youth. In addition, we already know that changes in sexual functions in this population may lead to somatic as well as mental problems and vice versa. Cardiovascular diseases, movement and neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, rheumatic diseases, proneness to physical or sexual abuse, feeling loneliness and depression are main findings in this age group which denote much more cares by healthcare providers, clinicians and policy-makers.
Early detection, proper treatment, sexual rehabilitation, and preventive activities like as education and implementing screening programs can promote their wellbeing and increase life expectancy.
Keywords: Older people, sexual health, geriatrics, sexual dysfunctions |