Sexual Disorders in The Older Age

A sexual disorder is a condition that involves ongoing problems with sexual activity that cause distress or difficulties in a person’s life or relationships. These problems can affect sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, or cause pain during sexual intercourse. Desire disorders ( Low libido or lack of sexual desire), Arousal disorders(erectile dysfunction),Orgasm Disorder(anorgasmia,premature ejaculation)and Pain Disorder (dyspareunia or vaginismus) are the most common types of sexual disorders. About a third of the elderly population has at least one complaint with their sexual function. However, about 60% of the elderly population expresses their interest for maintaining sexual activity. Both physiological and psychological factors affect the sexual dysfunction. Physiological factors like Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications can contribute to sexual dysfunction. And psychological components like Stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and past trauma can also play a role in sexual disorders. Along with a bad life style like Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise can negatively impact sexual function. Sexual Dysfunction can be diagnosed using different techniques like detailed physical examination (blood counts ,blood sugar,liver function tests, lipid profile, thyroid function tests, hormonal profile) and certain laboratory tests like Nocturnal Penile Tumescene (NPT). The nature of Treatment plan depends on the diagnosis. It consists different psychotherapies ( Psychoanalysis, Group psychotherapy, Behaviour Therapy) and techniques (Squeeze Technique, Sensate focus technique etc.) along with Oral drug therapy(Tadalafil,IIVD etc.)