How to Have a Fulfilling Sex Life After 50

The idea that older folks don't have sex is widely held. However, the data indicates otherwise. According to results from the 2018 National Poll on Healthy Aging, 40% of participants said they are sexually active, and 76% of older adults think that sex is essential to love relationships at any age.

Even though it's obvious that having sex doesn't stop as one ages, some older folks could find it challenging to maintain the spark or spice up their sexual lives. Sometimes sexual encounters are diminished by health issues, and other times, things get boring with time. However, the difficulties do not mean that you should stop having sex. No matter what stage of life you're in, you can have a fantastic sexual life.

What are the health benefits of having sex?  

Let's discuss why you should continue having sex after the age of fifty before getting into the helpful recommendations.

According to Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist at Fleshy and an AASECT-certified sex educator and sex and love coach, having sex has many health advantages in addition to being a fun, intimate activity. These advantages include "stress relief, sleep facilitation, pain relief, improved mood, stronger immune system, and improved connection with a partner." Additionally, research indicates that older women who continue to engage in sexual activity later in life are less likely to develop hypertension.

Benefits for men or those assigned male at birth (AMAB) and women or those assigned female at birth (AFAB) can differ. To aid those who are AFAB with their loss of bladder control, sex can help them strengthen their pelvic muscles. One study found that masturbating or ejaculating with a partner can reduce the incidence of prostate cancer in AMAB individuals.

Please do it for your health, then!

Sex Tips for Older Adults 

We have everything you need if you're an older adult who enjoys having sex and wants to improve your performance in bed. Here are a few of the top suggestions we received from professionals.

Make it fun

To keep sex interesting, don't be scared to change things up.

Taking some of the work out of it and turning it into play are two ways to make it enjoyable again, according to Amy Pearlman, MD, a board-certified urologist and member of FirmTech's Scientific Advisory Board.

Dr. Pearlman offers several tips to help older men with erectile dysfunction enjoy sex more and put in less effort.

She notes that for some men, getting an erection to have sex becomes a chore and a lot of work. We can make it more straightforward and frequently more pleasurable for people to have sex throughout their lives if we can use various tools to make it easier, such as oral medication (tadalafil is my favorite) and/or a penile constriction band to keep the blood in the penis (FirmTech MaxPR is easy to apply and remove).

Don't rush the experience.

Enjoy the moment of intimacy with your lover or partners.

Weiss advises, "Don't run for the finish line." "Pay attention to connecting with yourself or your partner and touching your body and/or your partner's body with love."

Learn how to stimulate your brain.

Unbelievably, having sex after fifty involves more than simply physical stimulation. As an older adult, you can have better sex by stimulating your brain.

According to Betsy Greenleaf, DO, FACOOG, FACOG, a member of PlusOne Wellness Collective, "since the brain is one of the most important sex organs, finding ways to stimulate the brain sexually will help with initiating blood flow and stimulation of the genitals." The brain likes novelty because it increases dopamine and promotes excitement. As a result, it becomes crucial to figure out how to make one's sexual behavior more unique over time, particularly in committed partnerships.

So, take out your Sudoku book or your daily crossword puzzle and become... aroused.

Stay hydrated

Although it's common knowledge that drinking enough water is healthy, it can also help you in the bedroom. People with penises can sustain an erection by increasing blood flow through sufficient hydration.

Therefore, to stay erect during sex, make sure you consume enough fluids, particularly water, if you have ED.

Communicate

You must express your sexual wants to your spouse or partners and expect them to reciprocate. More intimacy and sexual fulfillment can result from being forthright and honest with your spouse or partners. Additionally, it can improve sexual performance. According to research, men and those with penises may experience an increase in sexual excitement if they and their partners communicate well regarding erectile function.

Best Sex Positions for Older Adults 

You might discover that you simply can't engage in the same sexual positions as you did when you were younger as you age. Frailer bodies brought on by aging may be more prone to injury, particularly when attempting particular sex positions. Health issues that restrict your ability to perform a specific job should also be considered.

However, that does not imply that you must serve as a missionary for the remainder of your life (unless you have a strong passion for missionary work, in which case you should pursue it!). To make sure that you and your partner have a safe and pleasurable sexual experience, you might need to adjust your methods.

Here are the top sex positions for senior citizens, as determined by specialists, to get you started:

Cowgirl

The receiving partner, who has a vagina, sits or kneels on top of the person in the cowgirl position, with their legs on either side of the person who is lying flat on their back.

According to Dr. Greenleaf, "people with vaginas often feel more in control of their comfort if they are on top of a partner [with a penis] in cis-gendered intimacy with penetrative sex." The woman can start, stop, adapt, and pay attention to her body.

Weiss goes on to say that this could aid older adults who have dry vaginas.

Because they may regulate the depth and pace of penetration to suit their comfort level, people who suffer from vaginal dryness or discomfort may prefer to be on top, she says.

Standing Up

The entering partner stands behind the receiving partner, both of them facing the same direction, making this one of the safest sex positions for senior citizens. For easy penetration, the receiving partner can either keep their legs together or bend over and spread them.

This posture can enhance erectile function if you or your spouse suffers from ED.

Standing up makes it simpler for certain people who struggle to keep an erection as they age, according to Weiss.

Spooning

Try the "spooning position," which involves both people snuggling on their sides, with the receiving partner's back to the penetrating partner. To achieve orgasm, both couples rock their hips.

If you or your partner is experiencing arthritis discomfort, Dr. Greenleaf suggests this position.

She says, "Lying with your legs straight and side-to-side can relieve pressure on your hips and back."

Sex Toys for Older Adults 

These sex toys are fun for people of all ages, so if you want to add some toys to the bedroom, check them out.

Magic Wand Plus

As an older adult, vibrators are readily available sex devices that can enhance your sexual experience.

"Arousal, lubrication, and orgasm can all be accelerated with vibrators, which makes sex more comfortable and enjoyable," Weiss explains. " I frequently suggest the Hitachi Magic Wand to people looking for strong vibrators."

There are four vibration speeds on the rechargeable Magic Wand vibrator. It is a massager with a flexible neck and a soft, fluffy corded head.

Sportsheets Door Jam Sex Sling

Sexual aids such as "sex swings" can offer extra support during specific sex positions. You and your spouse or partners can experiment with different positions by doing sex swings.

The majority of your or your partner's body weight is supported by the wide, padded seat of this sex swing, which fastens to your door frame. Thanks to its footrests and hand grips, you may relax your body in comfort. For added enjoyment, the swing also features a detachable dildo pad that fits any common flared-based dildo.

OhNut Vibrating Ring

For people who are having trouble getting and keeping an erection, cock rings can also be quite beneficial, according to Weiss. " The OhNut is a toy that wraps around the penis to effectively shorten it for people who have pain with deep penetration."

This ring is flexible enough to move comfortably and has seven different vibration patterns and intensities. It can be recharged and charges completely in around 90 minutes, giving you 80 minutes of playback time.

Liberator Wedge

To relieve pressure on specific parts of the body and enable the individual to be propped up for sex, Dr. Pearlman explains, "people can purchase wedge devices, which can be extremely helpful."

A wedge can be used to tilt the receiver's hips to facilitate penetration. High-density foam and a 27-degree angle allow this device to support your or your partner's body weight comfortably. Do not even bother about making a mess on the wedge. Wipe it with a moist towel or throw the detachable cover in the washing machine.

PlusOne Menopause Massager

Atrophic vaginitis or vaginal atrophy can occur in menopausal women. Because there is less estrogen in the body, this disease results in the vaginal walls becoming thinner, drier, and more inflamed.

A massager can help ease the symptoms of menopause in both you and your partner.

"For women who wish to maintain the health of [vaginal] tissue, the plusOne menopause massager is fantastic," Dr. Greenleaf explains.

Menopause and perimenopausal symptoms can be lessened with the use of the massager, a heated sex item. It features an ergonomic design that adapts to the demands of the user and ten vibration patterns. It is also waterproof, so that you can use it in the bathtub or shower.

The Bottom Line 

Your sexual life shouldn't be significantly impacted by growing older. To guarantee that you and your partner have pain-free and enjoyable sexual experiences, it is crucial to understand how aging might affect your body and to take the appropriate precautions.

According to Weiss, as people age, having sex becomes a slower, more sensual, full-body, and full-mind action. It's a chance to reinvent sex, rediscover your sexuality, and strengthen your bond with a new or existing partner.