The nurse is teaching sexuality to a group of senior adults. Which of

The nurse is teaching sexuality to a group of senior adults. Which of the following comments by a participant reflects that he or she has an understanding of the changes in sexuality that occur with aging?

1. “So, sexual intercourse will be more painful for my wife, and we should have sex less frequently?”
2. “We have recently seen the need to begin using a lubricant. That’s because we make love less often.”
3. “My orgasms seem to not last as long, but my husband and I are probably more satisfied now than when we were younger.”
4. “I understand that it is natural not to have such an interest in sex anymore. People our age shouldn’t still have those feeling.”

ANSWER

ANS: 3
Orgasms may not last as long in the older adult as a result of aging. Older adults may feel more sexually satisfied because they no longer have to be concerned with contraception and are not experiencing the pressures of raising children and working. Decreased levels of estrogen may lead to diminished vaginal lubrication and decreased vaginal elasticity, making intercourse more painful. The couple should not be advised to have sex less frequently, but rather to use a vaginal lubricant and allow more time for caressing. The need to use a lubricant is not due to having sex less often, but is due to decreasing levels of estrogen in the woman. Saying that people of a cer-tain age shouldn’t still have sexual feelings is not a true statement. Sexual feelings in older adulthood are normal. Sexuality and continued interest in sex throughout late life generally re-flect life patterns.