Sex may change over the course of a person’s life, but that doesn’t mean it has to go away. Many people in their senior years (70+) are continuing to enjoy satisfying sex with their sexual partners. The following are a few ways that older individuals can continue to have great sex.

Menstruation is the shedding of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus that occurs approximately once a month in people who have uteruses until they reach menopause. It is one phase of the menstrual cycle, which includes menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Sometimes, menstruation is called menses, a menstrual period, or simply a period.

Roughly 40% of men will have erectile dysfunction by the age of 40. By age 70, nearly 70% of men will have ED. Understanding that ED is a part of aging for some groups may help men seek treatment without feeling shame or anxiety. Learn more about treatments for erectile dysfunction in this video from the International Society for Sexual Medicine. 

Pelvic floor disorders are common in women, and they can put a damper on sex. Some examples of pelvic floor disorders include urinary incontinence (leaking urine), fecal incontinence (leaking stool), and pelvic organ prolapse (when a pelvic organ like the bladder, uterus, or rectum falls out of its normal position and drops down into the vagina).

Individuals with medical conditions that impact their mobility, affect their ability to get aroused or have an orgasm, and/or cause chronic pain can still have full and satisfying sex lives. Several sex enhancement devices are available to help make sex more comfortable and enjoyable for people with ongoing health conditions that can influence their sexual functioning.

Sexual dysfunctions often occur during coupled activity. When this is the case, having couples attend a sexual medicine visit together may be helpful. During a couple's visit, providers can hear both perspectives and help couples work as a team to maximize their sexual health. Learn more about the reasons that couples may benefit from attending a sexual medicine visit together in this video from the International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Yes. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for a woman to get pregnant if she has sexual intercourse during her period. While a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant are greatest during the fertile days of her menstrual cycle, women with shorter cycles may be able to conceive on the last day or so of their periods.

The internet is rife with products, devices, exercises, weights, pills, and surgeries that promise to increase the size of a man’s penis. In reality, there is no safe, reliable way for a man to make his penis larger.

Check out this new video from the International Society for Sexual Medicine to hear from experts in the field of sexual health about the many reasons that patients may benefit from visiting with a sexual psychologist. In this episode, Sue Goldstein (Sexuality Educator, Clinical Researcher, San Diego Sexual Medicine, USA) and Gregory Broderick (Professor of Urology at Mayo Clinic, USA) answer your question on: How should patients go about finding an expert in sexual medicine?

Orchiectomy is the medical name for a surgery to remove one or both testicles (or testes). It may be a necessary treatment for a man with testicular cancer to ensure that the cancer does not continue to grow in the testicle or spread to other parts of the body. Other reasons for an orchiectomy include acute testicular trauma, testicular atrophy, and testicular abscess. Nevertheless, a man with a single testis may wonder if it will have an effect on his sexual functioning.

Mental health and sexual health are deeply intertwined. Although some sexual problems are brought on by physical issues such as an injury, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, urological conditions, neurological disorders, cancer and its treatments, or other biological factors, other sexual problems have an underlying psychological cause.

A penile ultrasound is an imaging test that is used to get a better understanding of the anatomy of the penis, as well as the blood supply to the penis. It can be a useful tool for health care professionals who are investigating erectile difficulties in patients because it creates images of this part of the body.