The Sexuality in aging: a study with elderly under rehabilitation

Abstract

The objective of this descriptive study was to characterize participants of the Group of Education to Health (GES) at the Divisão de Medicina de Reabilitação Hospital das Clínicas Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de São Paulo HCFMUSP (DMR - HCFMUSP) in terms of preferred sexual activities, and identify alterations in the sexual function, as well as their expectancies toward sexuality. A specific instrument was developed, which consisted of three parts. The first part collected sociodemographic data; the other part questioned about body regions where the sexual stimulation was preferred, as well as frequency of sexual activities and forms of sexual arousal. Form men, questions directed specifically about erections and ejaculation. For women, aspects related to the orgasm and libido were investigated, as well as physiologic characteristics involved in the sexual intercourse. Our sample consisted of 36 subjects, their mean age was 75 years, 86% were female. Marital status indicated that 16 (44%) were widows, 10 were (28%) married, 5 (14%) were single and 5 (14%) were divorced. Sexual practice occurred 0 to 3 times per week for 12 of the participants. Regarding the frequency of sexual intercourses, 77% of the participants considered it satisfactory and 81% referred feeling some sort of pleasure. This study allowed us to identify the peculiar characteristics of sexual activity among elderly. It serves as a basis for deeper clinical approaches, which may give subsides to wider and more specific interventions.