Relationship of Sexual Desire and aging
This paper calls for an understanding of the correlation between the physiological effects of aging and how it affects human psychology during that very period. It is only when one tends to understand the physiological changes that occur with aging, can heshe relate these changes in relationships such as marriage and the implications that these changes may lead to.
The conduct of research as per the topic calls for a thorough understanding of the biological and psychological aspects of sexuality. From the earliest of times, sexuality has been a subject of interest for mankind, thereby contributing to various art and literature. Sexuality has also been a subject of debate for centuries and several theories have since time long been striving to prove their understanding of the same.
The understanding of sexuality leads to yet another issue, that of sexual desire. Sexual desire is a very human instinct and its very presence indicates normality within an individual. However, the same desire may vary from individual to individual and it may also have a marked difference with respect to the two genders.
THE CONCEPT OF SEXUAL DESIRE
Sexual desire, better termed as libido, has several definitions when viewed under the psychological study of human nature and needs. There have been a number of theories that suggest the reasons and implications of the same, yet each theory is a separate school of thoughts altogether. Let us analyze the various schools of thoughts and come to a conclusion that shall help us in seeking the answer that is desired of this research.
When comparing the two genders as per their sexual desires, it has come into observation that sexual desire in males is usually very strong and is said to have relatively low boundaries for its manifestation. It is also said that if viewed under the class of sexual behavior, libido tends to be regarded as the appetitive segment where a man or a woman submits himself or herself to behaviors that allows access to the opposite sex. (Lahey, 2008)
HISTORY OF THE CONCEPT
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, suggested that libido is the name given to the instinct energy or force that lies within the unconscious of ones mind. Carl Gustav Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist, claims that libido is the psychic energy. Albeit the difference in the theories, one thing that remains constant, is the belief that libido is energy. But the point is does this energy differ from man to woman And does aging have an effect on this energy Let us look at both these questions separately and come up with relevant information that might serve as answers to these very questions.
AGING AND THE SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
With age, both males and females undergo certain changes with regard to their sexual desires. Stated simply, this means that with age, sexual arousal and response patterns might seem to differ slightly in both the sexes. This however, does not mean that they lack sexual desire, but that they go through changes in the sexual response cycle. This implies that sexual stimuli might not generate the same biological result as the individual ages.
In case of women, an older one would need more time to achieve vaginal lubrication. Also, an older womans sexual responses are distinguished by less vaginal expansion reduced orgasmic intensity and a more rapid resolution. As a result, the woman may go through a decline in sexual desire, clitoral sensitivity andor the capacity for orgasm. Similarly, an older man would require more time to achieve erection and in reaching orgasm. The older mans sexual response cycle is distinguished by less myotonia, reduced orgasmic intensity, more rapid resolution and longer refractory periods. (Crooks, 2008)
Masters and Johnson, the very famous research team, was the first to not only come up with the idea of the four stage sexual response cycle, the diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders and dysfunctions, but also pioneered research on the sexual responsiveness of older people. The results were such that it took longer for the older male to reach the stage of arousal and that they have the need for more direct genital stimulation. Similarly, the older female reflected a diminished pattern for vaginal lubrication.
THE ROLE OF HORMONES IN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
Both the male and female bodies produce sex hormones. These hormones seem to affect ones arousal abilities by altering the threshold for erotic stimulation.In men, the organ responsible for the production of these hormones is the testes, which produces 95 of androgens and some estrogens. In females, the ovaries and adrenal glands are responsible for producing androgens while estrogen is produced primarily by her ovaries. The dominant androgen in both male and female is testosterone but the difference is that males can produce up to 20 40 times more testosterone than females. However, female body cells are more receptive to testosterone than the male ones.
The idea behind discussing the function of these hormones is to understand that age has an effect on the production of estrogen and testosterone. The gradual decline in the testosterone levels as men age is evident of the same. This gradual decline may start from the age of 40 and onwards. In a number of cases, this decline becomes significant to the extent that it is clinically termed as Andropause or Androgen Deficiency of the Aging Male.
SEXUAL DESIRE AND MENOPAUSE
Menopause, which refers to the perpetual ending of reproductive fertility, was a term that was initially associated to the aging female, which basically marked the end of her menstrual cycle occurring somewhere in the mid-forties and beyond. However with time, the term has expanded its scope towards the male gender as well. A certain diminishing of sexual desire is one of the most general symptoms of menopause (both during and after) and is more evident in the females, where many of them experience a loss in their sexual desire. Let us examine as to what causes this.
During menopause the female body undergoes lesser production of estrogen which in turn affects libido and may also lead to irritability, disturbed sleep and reduced lubrication. This reduced lubrication directs itself with vaginal dryness which makes the vagina extremely delicate to penetration. (Maass, 2007) It then becomes very obvious as to why a woman who is suffering from such problems has a lessened sexual desire. Men on the other hand, do not have such clear signs and a likely period that may be characterized as menopause the clinical explanation for such conditions in the male is the decline in androgen levels. Along with this, certain males may also undergo fatigue, weakness and depression.
Although unlike women, menopause in men is a slow process, it still does not remain much of a mystery as to why older people might show a lack of sexual desire. This may vary from individual to individual as research has also shown that many older people like to indulge in sex and have a very strong desire for it, as late as in their seventies, provided the right mate and the level of involvement they share.
SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION
Sexual dysfunction refers to a state where an individual experiences a disturbance in the sexual response cycle, during his or her involvement in sexual activity. This may be as a result of drug abuse, side effects of certain medication and some forms of illness while other causes may also include emotional, inter personal and psychological factors. Although sexual dysfunction can occur at any age, but the majority of cases such as those of erectile failure are age-related. Sexual dysfunction can be classified according to the phases of the sexual response cycle in which they occur sexual desire, sexual arousal and orgasm. (Pfaff, 2009)
We shall only be discussing the dysfunctions of sexual desire and sexual arousal.
DYSFUNCTIONS OF SEXUAL DESIRE
Since the purpose of our study is to establish the relationship between sexual desire and aging and because dysfunctions may solely be a result of aging, discussing sexual dysfunction is indeed important.
Before we probe deeper into the dysfunctions sexual desire, we must understand that sexual desire is not to be confused with sexual frequency. This means that a person might engage in sexual activity for the sake pleasing his or her partner but might not have a strong desire for the same. In marital relationships, there are several cases where the male or female lacks sexual desire. We must also understand that sexual desire and its level varies from person to person. Hence, one is only to be classified as having a disorder of sexual desire, if he or she lacks almost all possible desire for sexual contact and finds it troubling. This may be due to interpersonal problems or several other factors, which may also include aging or a combination of both.
DYSFUNCTIONS OF SEXUAL AROUSAL
Disorders of sexual arousal tend to occur when there is a lack of satisfactory sexual arousal. This includes the erection of penis in males and vaginal lubrication for the females, during the excitement phase of the sexual response cycle. Although this disorder can occur at any age, it is more significant in aging people. This is mainly because of the biological changes that occur with age. However, disorders of sexual arousal are not only limited to age and can be a result of a number of factors which may also include the psychological imbalances within an individual. Yet again, it is important to note that the person is said to have sexual arousal disorder only if he or she consistently fails in reacting to sexual stimuli and this causes discomfort in his or her sexual behaviors. In marital relationships, as both the partners age there might be a reduction in the capacity of sexual arousal as per the biological changes. In other cases, sexual arousal may call for extremely direct involvement and that too for longer periods of time before one actually feels excited. These behaviors vary from couple to couple hence a particular response can not be easily determined. (Cacioppo, 2007)
THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND TREATMENTS
Firstly, let us talk about the problems of menopause that might prove to be a turn-off for aging women and the possible solutions that may help them maintain sexual desire instead of getting over it. Lubricants, a very popular resource when it comes to less painful yet enjoyable sex, but are only a temporary relief for low libido. Hormone Creams that can be applied to the female reproductive organ, as the estrogen present in them helps increase blood flow. These creams help in inducing greater sensitivity in the female organ which leads to easier orgasms and in maintaining sexual desire at the same time.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), one of the most thriving treatments for menopause, is yet another possible solution to aging problems and lack of sexual desire. HRT might not enhance ones libido chemically, but it can certainly help in overcoming other symptoms that might interfere with ones sex life. Testosterone Replacement Therapy, (TRT), is a relatively new technique which implies that testosterone plays a significant role in the female sex drive. A very recent development that consists of clinical patches of testosterone, has said to boost female sex drive by around 75. This patch has not yet been approved but a somewhat alike testosterone therapy is available. Like all good things in life, this too has side effects that range from a rapid growth in hair, deepened voice and an increase in cancer risk.
IMPLICATIONS OF SEXUAL DESIRE AND AGING IN A MARRIAGE
Having fully understood the relevance between sexual desire and aging, it becomes evident as to what implications the same may have in a marriage. The most common fact, which has not been covered in the discussion so far, is the lack of feeling for the partner. We have to understand that engaging in sex and experiencing sexual desire are two different things. If the individual, whether male or female, considers sex as a duty that is meant only to please his or her partner, it may definitely affect their relationship as the other might notice it at some point of time and even if the other lacks to notice it, engaging in sexual activity might not be a blissful experience for both. This might have an impact on the marital relationship but it does not mean that there is no remedy for it. Counseling or sex therapy is one safe way that has no side effects and can prove to be very insightful for both the partners. The other safest way is to involve with each other through talking about the problems and the possible ways to resolve them.
Of course, such can only take place where there is understanding, so it forms a somewhat critical requirement for this purpose.
CONCLUSION
Although it is true that the biological changes occurring in people as they age, account for the loss of sexual desire that they experience, it may not necessarily apply to all couples. Some of them can be very active, sexually, which might be a result of their love, understanding and the level of intimacy that they share with their significant other. For those who are not so blessed, there is always something that can be done, provided that the individual wants it work. Hence, it can be said the aging has an adverse effect on sexual desire, which may lead to problems in a marriage but can be resolved if the individuals are willing enough.
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