Sexual health is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of healthy ageing, with many older adults valuing sexual expression as an enjoyable part of their lives. Of course, not all older adults are interested in sex, and that’s fine, but those who are should be able to access relevant and respectful information to support their sexual lives, just like people of any age. Older adults, however, may encounter barriers in accessing sexual health information and care, due to ageism and limited awareness. Imagine someone who’s beginning dating again later in life. Where would they go for information on sexually transmitted infections?
In 2021, I surveyed people aged 60+ in Australia, asking about their sexual health information-seeking behaviours and preferences. Out of the 1,470 respondents, 41% had looked for sexual health information since turning 60. When they did, most spoke to a GP or healthcare provider (74%) or accessed a health information website (43%). It was encouraging that two-thirds of respondents were satisfied with the information they found; however, one-third remained unsatisfied. Of those who had not sought sexual health information, one-fifth cited barriers like embarrassment, not knowing where to go, and fear of having their concerns dismissed due to their age.
I was privileged to receive an RM Gibson grant from the AAG to expand my research (thank you, AAG!). With this funding, I conducted interviews with people aged 60+ and healthcare providers in rural Victoria, asking about how we can support older adults’ sexual health in primary care. Why rural Victoria? Folks living rurally may face extra barriers accessing sexual healthcare and information, so I wanted to put the spotlight on this group.
So, what barriers do rural older adults face when it comes to sexual health? Limited choice of healthcare providers meant it wasn’t always easy to find someone they felt comfortable discussing sexual health with. Some were concerned with privacy in a small community, where clinic or pharmacy staff may be known to them or their family. They also spoke about how conservative attitudes and traditional gender roles can hinder seeking sexual health support.
Now let’s focus on the positives. Participants suggested a range of strategies to encourage sexual health conversations during GP visits. Firstly, sexual health can and should be brought up when discussing conditions and medications that have sexual impacts, such as mental health medication, cancer treatment, and diabetes care. Secondly, GPs and other healthcare providers are encouraged to broach sexual health intermittently with their older patients, to ‘open the door’ and let them know it’s ok to seek help with. Thirdly, to raise awareness and address stigma, participants wanted more health promotion, such as community talks, posters and brochures in clinics.
We are now in the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030), which seeks to combat ageism and to improve the quality of life of older people globally. With the slogan ‘adding life to years’, it’s not hard to see how sexual health needs to be part of this picture. So, who’s ready to have conversations about sexual health and ageing?