Text produced by Alanna Nascimento, a journalism graduate student at IDP.
Discussing sex, and everything related to sexual life, remains taboo in society, especially when it comes to sexually active older adults. This reluctance to openly discuss the topic, even though it has decreased over the years, is one of the factors influencing the "negligence" of people over 60 regarding the use of preventive methods and contributes to the increase in the number of cases of sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV and syphilis.
Even though it's often considered a taboo subject, sexologist Kátia Arruda clarifies that, among older adults, the topic is treated with greater ease than among younger people. "They understand that sexual well-being is part of overall well-being. It doesn't yet encompass the entire society, but rather people with access to information," says the specialist.
With technological advancements and easier access to websites, social media, and media in general, discussing and researching this issue more freely has become easier, resulting in increased sexual freedom, especially for mature individuals.
"Social media has opened a path to talk about, guide, and inform about sex. There are more podcasts, professionals in the field of sexuality, and, especially, online magazines," says sexologist Kátia Arruda.
According to Milton Crenitte, a geriatrician, the reason for the increase in STIs and HIV cases among older people is the lack of adequate public policies for STI prevention focused on this age group. In 2019, the Ministry of Health launched a prevention campaign aimed at this population. However, such actions are scarce in the country, which worries specialists because, in order to reduce the number of infections among this group, specific campaigns are needed.
"The most important thing is for us to understand the sexual scene, as if it were a theater: who is the actor, what is the script, and where does this sexual life take place. Then we can better plan a prevention strategy," says the geriatrician.
More Resources
Sexual freedom in this age group is related to the increasing availability of hormonal therapy products and techniques in the pharmaceutical, erotic, and sensual product industries. Consequently, this increases the likelihood of them being more comfortable maintaining sexual relations for an extended period, in addition to contributing to individual well-being.
“The erotic and sensual market industry in Brazil is one of the most modern, and every year they launch products, mainly topical stimulants and lubricants, which serve not only for sexual relations,” explains Kátia. This emergence of options for enjoyable sex results in an increase in quality of life, especially for mature women – those over 60 – who understand that sex is not about frequency but about quality.
The epidemiological bulletin issued by the Ministry of Health in 2018 shows that the number of HIV infection cases among this age group has grown by 103% in the last ten years. This shows that, despite all the advances in science and general awareness, resistance to the use of preventive methods still prevails.
“During the HIV/AIDS epidemic, people who are now 60 or older were generally married and did not use condoms. Many of them may now be separated or widowed, so it is the lack of practice and knowledge that makes them more likely to not use protection,” explains the specialist.
Risks and Treatment
Although it provides greater freedom to this audience, the use of stimulants and erectile dysfunction medications can be harmful to health if used by people for whom they are not indicated, just like any medication.
Data on the disease released by the Ministry of Health shows that the gender most affected by the disease in this age group is male, representing 12,6% of those infected, double the number of women.
Studies on contagion during this age show that alcohol abuse before sexual activity is another contributing factor to increased contamination. Actions taken under the influence of alcohol, driven by emotion, forgetfulness, or disinterest in protection, coupled with the use of stimulants, lead to the spread of the disease and hinder the detection of new cases, since individuals do not remember what happened.
According to Milton, serophobia interferes with the discovery of HIV cases because the fear of finding out that one has the virus is a reality within society, hindering treatment options that could be used if the disease is still in its early stages.
The geriatrician warns that treating the disease in older adults requires greater care, as they are naturally predisposed to altered immunity and, consequently, are more vulnerable and susceptible to illnesses and their treatments. They also need to be mindful of other aspects of their health as they age.
“It is important that older people living with HIV continue their follow-up to assess whether they will maintain or change their antiretroviral medication and how this will be done. In addition, they should also consider other ways to manage the consequences that accompany aging, such as promoting health, engaging in physical activity, checking for osteoporosis, and considering bone and mental health,” points out the doctor.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
