Sexuality and Aging

Sexuality is a complex interplay of the needs for intimacy, affection, connection, pleasure, self-image, and context related to gender, ethnicity, and community. It is affected by multiple factors, including psychological, social, physiological, cultural, religious, and hormonal age-related changes, and comorbidities can also affect sexual function. Consideration of the unique needs surrounding sexuality in the geriatric population offers insight into the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction as well as the underlying biopsychosocial and physiological components of geriatric sexuality.