Sexuality and elderly with chronic diseases: A review of the existing literature

Abstract

Background:Increased life expectancy and the growing phenomenon of aging can lead to increased burden of chronic diseases (CDs) which adversely affects the overall health of elderly, their sexuality in particular. Sexual life of an aged population is overlooked in many of the societies. In the present narrative review, we aim to assess the impact of CDs on sexual function of elderly people.Materials and Methods:We used internet databases including PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, SID, Iran Medex, Magiran, IPPF, and UNFPA without time limit. Ninety-eight out of 174 relevant articles were selected which met the inclusion criteria: those articles were research-based in English or Persian (original or review articles) and textbooks; specified one or more CDs and sexual function of the cases; elderly people over the age of sixty, men and women; and coordination between articles and research goals. We excluded qualitative and case studies. We reported the most related CDs with sexual function in literature review and used the biological and psychological impact of the CDs on sexual function of elderly population based on the conceptual model of Verschuren et al. (2010).Results:The results of the studies were classified into the themes including physical, psychological, and cultural and social. Diabetes, cardiovascular, cancerous, and chronic respiratory diseases and also some medications can reduce sexual capacity and desire in particular resulting in negative impact on the quality of elderly sexual life. CDs may influence sexual expressions and responses which adversely affect one's mood and energy so that can cause depression and grief, as well as loss of self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-concept in elderly adults. The factors affecting sexuality of an elderly with CDs include cultural and mythical beliefs about age and illnesses, fear, and embarrass of changed physical appearance. The research conducted among elderly population examining the adverse influence of CDs on aged people's sexual life in general, sexual function and performance, and intimate interaction.Conclusion:It is considered that programs on sexual health needs of aged population for the health-care workers can prove beneficial in improving sexual health.

"My wife's mistrust. That's the saddest part of being a diabetic": A qualitative study of sexual well-being in men with Type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa

“…It would be useful for healthcare workers to be aware of the multiple ways in which sexual difficulties may be experienced and it’s emotional and relational impact. Healthcare workers should understand that, while aging might bring about changes in sexuality, reduced sexual functioning is by no means an inevitable process of aging [ 12 , 47 ]. To assist healthcare practitioners, more concrete diabetes care guidelines which address sexual dysfunction and well-being, and which are currently limited [ 2 ], need to be developed.…”

“…As noted in a recent review of global diabetes guidelines, “sexual dysfunction is still an under-appreciated, under-recognized, under-discussed, and commonly untreated complication of diabetes” [ 2 ]. Moreover, little is known about how people with diabetes perceive and experience sexual difficulties, and the bio-psychosocial contexts of these experiences, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [ 10 – 12 ]. These issues are difficult to identify and explore through checklists of physiologic sexual dysfunction and quality of life scales typically used in quantitative research on sexual functioning [ 11 , 13 ].…”

“…Verschuren and colleagues developed this model through a comprehensive review of the literature as well as their many years of clinical experience. The model has subsequently been used as a guiding theoretical framework in various studies on chronic illness and sexuality [ 12 , 21 , 22 ]. The key assumption of this model is that sexuality is a multifaceted phenomenon, shaped by organic, hormonal, and psychosocial factors, and that chronic illness involves psychosocial stressors in addition to physical symptoms.…”

The Effect of Nursing Care Applied to Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Their Sexual Experiences and Quality of Life

“…On the other hand, there was no change in the ASES mean score of the control group, during the last visit compared to the first visit. One of the adverse effects of chronic diseases is that they affect sexual life negatively [ 10 ]. Chronic diseases may damage individuals' sexual functions such as orgasm disorder, ejaculatory incompetence, dyspareunia and suppression of sexual desire and may also cause them to fear sexual intercourse.…”

“…Although the literature's data focus on sexual dysfunctions encountered among men, some evidence shows that respiratory system diseases in women can be accompanied by sexual dysfunction [ 8 ]. A study reported that female COPD patients had less sexual desire and impaired quality of sexual life [ 10 ].…”