Sexual desire, erectile dysfunction and the biomedicalization of sex in older heterosexual men

Abstract

The findings illuminate the need for nurses who are at the front line of health care, health policy makers and educators, to consider sexual desire experienced in older age in the context of sexual health and healthy ageing. This study will contribute to a growing body of knowledge about sexual desire in older age.

Let's talk about sex: older people's views on the recognition of sexuality and sexual health in the health‐care setting

“…Qualitative sources consisted of eight research studies and three opinion papers containing unique data. Three qualitative studies were of high dependability, one moderate dependability and four were of low dependability . The opinion papers were all of low dependability .…”

Sex for seniors: how physicians discuss older adult’s sexuality

“…physical contact such as hugging, cuddling, oral sex, masturbation or clitoral stimulation [11,18]. However, the biomedicalization of sex, western cultural expectations and heterosexual cultural norms have influenced society to perceive penetrative sex as the ultimate outcome of sexual desire [11,31]. In the current study, physicians described their treatment plans as focused on the ability to achieve penetrative sex rather than on exploring options more compatible with how their older patients define sexual satisfaction and how they can achieve it.…”

“…Although age-related changes and sexual health in middle-aged and older adults are evident and erectile dysfunction appears to be more common among older men [1,4], many older adults seem to be satisfied with various forms of sexual engagement other than vaginal penetration (e.g. physical contact such as hugging, cuddling, oral sex, masturbation or clitoral stimulation [11,18]. However, the biomedicalization of sex, western cultural expectations and heterosexual cultural norms have influenced society to perceive penetrative sex as the ultimate outcome of sexual desire [11,31].…”

“…Studies report that men affected by sexual dysfunction also need to confront the socially-constructed nature of a sexual identity that is centered on penetrative sex [11]. The biomedicalization of sex can be a disappointing experience for some older adults, who feel there is too much emphasis on sexual function rather than on a partnered relationship and that they are captives of western cultural expectations of penetrative sex as the ultimate outcome of sexual desire [11]. Moreover, some older adults noted that the use of pharmaceuticals for erectile enhancement was ineffective, unsuitable from a relationship perspective or simply unpleasant [11].…”

“…The biomedicalization of sex can be a disappointing experience for some older adults, who feel there is too much emphasis on sexual function rather than on a partnered relationship and that they are captives of western cultural expectations of penetrative sex as the ultimate outcome of sexual desire [11]. Moreover, some older adults noted that the use of pharmaceuticals for erectile enhancement was ineffective, unsuitable from a relationship perspective or simply unpleasant [11]. Finally, the medicalization of sexuality in older age might disregard other important aspects of old age that can be important to one's sexual function and satisfaction, such as altered body image, work, financial or family-related stresses or relationship issues [22].…”