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Sex Over 60: The internet and sex toys
Wired has a great article about senior sex and how the senior population deals with some of the common problems related to aging and sex. What’s fantastic is that many people are looking up things on the internet (where they’ll find places like our How-To section) and talking to their doctors and to sex educators to try to find solutions.
I often say that at Babeland, there is no typical customer. Everyone walks through our doors and helping the “Over 60″ population has been some of the most rewarding work I’ve ever done. I’ve explained where the clitoris is to women with gray hair who’ve never had orgasms; I’ve helped shy older men pick out spanking implements because their wives have suddenly discovered, after 40 years of marriage, that they’re kinky; people with erection difficulties are often stunned by the cock ring; older women are bowled over by vibrators (if my hands were arthritic, a vibrator would be essential); vaginal dryness? no problem!
Ironically, age-related medical conditions can be the catalyst for seniors to challenge old taboos around female pleasure, sex beyond intercourse, and frank discussions about sexual needs and relationships. Sex educators and a small handful of progressive doctors are becoming involved in helping seniors find solutions to physical problems — which in turn leads to necessary emotional work.
I’m happy to read in this article that doctors and sex educators are working together. It’s something I would like to see a lot more of. I know there are times when having a conversation about a patient’s sex life can be daunting or just plain old time-consuming. Babeland is a place where patients can get their questions answered (and ask questions they would never ever think of asking their doctor).
The Wired article also mentions the newest issues of HIV and STI infection among the senior population. With years of mis-conceptions about sex roles and condoms, no wonder this is a problem:
Many seniors don’t realize STDs are prevalent in their population. Yet an AIDS Community Research Initiative of America study found that 30 percent of New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS were over 50 in 2005. New cases of HIV have been diagnosed in people in their 80s.
Wow. Let’s start those sex educations classes for seniors. Maybe that could be a new workshop at Babeland!
August 15th, 2007 at 8:58 am
[…] The Babeland Blog points to a recent Wired piece, Seniors Go Online to Get it On. […]
August 15th, 2007 at 9:40 am
[…] Sex Over 60: The internet and sex toys The Wired article also mentions the newest issues of HIV and STI infection among the senior population. With years of mis-conceptions about sex roles and condoms, no wonder this is a problem:. Many seniors don?t realize STDs are … […]
August 15th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
you know it’s funny, i teach pilates for rehab and i end up talking about sex life with at least fifty percent of my clients.
many of them have never heard of a pelvic floor and have no idea that connecting to it might be useful for more than just stopping their pee. one lady went from five times a year to once or twice a week! i’m all proud but it’s weird, i have to be really careful because i’m not a licensed sex therapist or anything, i just fix bodies.
anyway, i think it’s a fantastic class idea.
August 24th, 2007 at 3:15 am
Thanks for mentioning the Wired article — I was pleased to be interviewed for it. It’s wonderful that places like Babeland exist where people of any adult age can walk in and get information that will totally change their pleasure level! Thank you for all you do.
Joan Price
http://www.joanprice.com/
Author of Better Than I Ever Expected: Straight Talk about Sex After Sixty
Join us — we’re talking about ageless sexuality at http://www.betterthanieverexpected.blogspot.com
August 24th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Badinfluencegirl: I’ve heard from a lot of people that pilates is great for the pelvic floor. We sell toys for that at Babeland but if you’re already getting a workout…
It must be a mark of what a good instructor you are that your clients/patients feel comfortable talking with you about sex. And that you’re open enough to talk back and not brush them off. If you ever want to direct them to Babeland, we can continue those conversations that might start to get a bit personal or seem a bit technical/complicated. It’s really great that you’re there for your patients in that way though. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a sex therapist to help someone learn about their Kegel muscles!