Sexuality Tips: Maintaining Sexual Health and Intimacy

Summary:

It is not impossible for an adult to maintain an active and healthy sexual health once he reaches the older adult age range. However, there are still quite a number of individuals who no longer enjoy an active and exciting sex life when they get older. In this article, the author provides info on the causes of poor sexual health and the common changes in the body when a person ages. The article also features three tips on how to maintain one's sexual health and vigor.

Keywords:

sexual health

Article Body:

Some people believe that once a person reaches the older adult age range, he will no longer show any interest in doing the things he used to enjoy such as sex and intimacy. This is untrue, of course, for the need for intimacy has no age limits. A person's hunger for affection, intimacy, and emotional bond with another person is limitless.

However, there are still a significant number of older men and women who no longer have a fulfilling and happy sexual and intimate relationships with their partners. When a person doesn't have a healthy physical and emotional relationship with someone, he or she may suffer from low self-esteem and poor physical health.

What causes poor sexual health?

As one ages, his body experiences physical and physiological changes that can affect his sexual health and relationship with another person.

Common physical changes:

When a woman ages, she will eventually experience physical changes in the body that are associated to hormonal imbalance and menopause. For instance, the vagina takes longer time to lubricate and swell when aroused. This physical change can really make intercourse painful, thus, resulting to decreased or lost of interest in sex.

In men, the most common physical change is difficulty in achieving and maintaining erection. Erections do not last long and are less firm.

Common physiological changes:

The mind also experiences certain changes as an individual ages. These changes can also significantly affect one's sexual stamina or desire for sex. If an adult person is ashamed of his sexual needs and preferences, then it may probably lead to aversion from sex.

Also, when one notices gray hairs and wrinkles on his or her face, tendency is that he or she may feel less attractive, thus, reducing his or her sexual drive. Another common physiological change associated in aging is stress. When an aging individual worries too much on his sexual performance, this often leads to impotence for men and decreased desire to have sex for women.

How to improve sexual health

It is not really impossible for aging adults to improve and maintain their sexual health and stamina. However, it requires serious communication in the relationship if one wants to improve and maintain his or her sex life.

The following are a couple of helpful tips on how aging adults can improve their sexual health:

1. There is more to sex than just penetration.

To improve one's sex life, a person needs to expand his knowledge and perception on sex, for there is more to this carnal act than just mere penetration. Remember that intimate gestures such as touching and holding hands are perfect alternative to sex. Oral sex, masturbation, and sensual massage are also good substitute for sex.

2. Keep your body healthy and well-tuned.

Maintaining a healthy and fit body keeps a person's body ready for sex. As such, it is highly advised to aging men and women to eat a well-balanced diet that includes veggies and fruits. Exercising also helps tuning the body.

3. Level your expectations.

Basically, older men and women who have poor or stagnant sex life are usually the ones who engaged in less sexual activities during their younger years. On the other hand, it is contrary to partners who have active sex lives during their younger years, for they will be able to maintain their sexual stamina even when they get older.

The dramatic changes in male vanity and sexuality

Summary:

This article aims to promote better male sexual health in promulgating information about metrosexuality. It also features how the concept of “man-ness” is being challenged by the changing of time.

Keywords:

Male sexual health

Article Body:

The only constant thing in this world is change... an irrefutable paradox of life. People, opinions, perceptions, feelings, relationships, and just about every other thing in this world is subject to change. As time elicit more changes, words continually change its meaning.

Even the centuries-old notions about male identity are now changing. Gone are the days when men were seen as Neanderthals who only use brute force to satisfy a need or an urge. Over time, men also underwent a process of refinement --- through culture, education, and other norm-setting beliefs that were developed in each era of history. For example, in the olden days, it was common to see men wearing long gowns and tunics. This is evident even today in Scotland where men wear their traditional skirts that bear their family or clan's “colors.” It is also true that in some countries, the mere sight of a man wearing something that looks like a skirt would automatically attract unfavorable comments and insults.

According to traditional masculine concepts, men are supposed to be unconcerned about fashion, grooming, and other so-called feminine matters such as shoes and accessories. There is, however, a new concept of how it is to be a man. New forms of “manliness” has been called “metrosexuality.” A metro sexual is a man who has special concern over grooming, fashion and other external matters that help improve one's physical appearance or image. The term “metrosexual” was first used by Mark Simpson, a British commentator, to refer to men who always looks at a mirror in a clear demonstration of vanity. Metrosexual men, unlike the customary “dirt-loving” men, are described as having a strong regard for their appearance. It's also noteworthy to see that these types of men have a “sharp eye” for fashion. Metrosexuals are said to be “aesthetically-concerned”... pampering themselves in salons, gyms, and other beauty-enhancing centers.

Metrosexuality is somewhat close to the concept of narcissism. The Greek myth of Narcissus, a man who loved himself in great excess is the origin of the word, narcissism. According to the story, Narcissus saw his reflection in a river and he grew to love his reflection so much that he reached for it in the water. Naricssus fell in the water and drowned. His love for his own face led to his own death.

Some observers of gender-issues view metrosexuality as a form of confusion of gender roles. Simply put, metrosexuals are “straight men acting like gays.” Others even say that metrosexuality is one of the avenues for “gay wannabes.” Those who are openly metrosexual defend their lifestyle by saying that their focus on fashion does not automatically make them gay. The firmly state that being conscious about clothes and accessories do not make them any less of a man.

But it is also viewed that metrosexuality should not only focus on externalities. Some say that this lifestyle should be exploited to promote sexual health. As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual health is not only about getting the right information to protect one's self from sexually transmitted disease. It is also having the right attitudes toward sexual activity and relationships with the opposite sex.

Indeed, sexual health must be taught and promoted as a way of life, especially among men.