5 Benefits of Sex After 50
Life comes at you fast and changes happen.
It seems one minute you’re avoiding eye contact with your parents as they awkwardly tell you about the birds and the bees, and the next minute? You’re “of an age” where you are not considered a sexual being anymore.
That’s right, as soon as you hit the big 5-0, media tells us that you are supposed to cease all sexual relations and that you’re not sexy anymore. No Way!!
Sex is not just for the young! Studies have shown that people at the ages of 40-50-60 and beyond can benefit from healthy sex lives. We’re sexual beings from birth to death!
Here are some reasons why sex benefits those over 50:
It Can Make You Feel Great
And not just in the obvious way of feeling connected and close, certain hormones like dopamine and oxytocin are released during sex and orgasm. These hormones make us feel fantastic and promote feelings of positive attachment and warmth toward our partner.
It Keeps You Healthy
Sex also increases testosterone in both men and women. Frequency of sex in younger men appears to protect them from prostate cancer later in life and decreases their risk of heart attacks. For women, this testosterone prevents chronic cystitis, eventual prolapse, and incontinence.
Sex is Exercise
The older we get, the more important it is for us to stay active and flexible. Not everybody likes to hit the gym or do yoga three times a week so…
Sex is a great way to work up a sweat and get your heart pumping and body moving.
Sex Enhances Self-Esteem
We all want to feel desirable. Having a partner who wants to be with you in such an intimate way is an esteem boost at any age. And, according to studies, feelings of self-worth are the basis of psychological health. Sexual behavior has been associated with fewer and less frequent symptoms of depression, both in women and in men.
Sex Helps the Marriage
Though there can be stresses to aging that might be challenging within a relationship, sexual contact can help sustain a marriage. One study, which looked at couples over 50 who had been married for at least 20 years, found that impediments or barriers to sexual behaviors were of minimal importance as long as some sort of physical intimacy continued.
Of course, sex isn’t a cure-all for relationship woes. The truth is, marriage takes effort and commitment to being the best we can be individually and as a couple.
And the longer two people have been together, the more trials and tribulations they may have experienced, the more likely it is that couples settle into unproductive patterns. I can help you change these old patterns to new healthy relational skills.
If you’re experiencing marital trouble, couples therapy can be very beneficial. I can facilitate healthier communication and offer tools that can help you reconnect and fall in love all over again. You deserve to have a happy relationship and sex life.
If you or a loved one is interested in exploring couple’s therapy, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I can help.