‘Older people have the right to be sexual’ - Dr Miriam Stoppard addresses 'taboo'

Older couple cuddling on the sofa — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Older people want, and can have, fulfilling sex lives. Yet there remains a reluctance to openly discuss how to initiate intimacy in later years.

Dr Miriam Stoppard has referred to later life sexuality as a "taboo" subject, rightly wanting to break down barriers to normalising couples having sex until the end of their lives.

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Movingly, Dr Stoppard says, "Your sexuality is present until you die," something society often finds difficult to take on board.

Because of the "taboo" surrounding sexual needs of the older generations, there can sometimes be difficulties to accessing it, or "plumbing into it," as Dr Stoppard says.

Offering advice, she says, "You've got to think about it a lot. If you've got a partner, talk about it a lot.

"Exchange information about preferences," she says, continuing, "Suggest things you've never thought of doing before, because sex in the older age group can be extremely rewarding.

"We should be looking for ways to express our sexuality, not suppress it," she urges, because "the number of people in those age groups still having sex is very high," and they have a right to be supported to continue enjoying it.

Dr Stoppard also advocates the use of sex toys. "A woman's body has the ability to respond to sexual activity and sexual play, in exactly the same way as it did when she was younger," she explains.

She explains, "A woman's body is a miracle; it can respond sexually until the very end and the orgasms may be more intense."

The doctor suggests any woman who has never achieved orgasm buys a sex toy and experiments with it, no matter what their age.

She concludes, "The latter years of life can be full of sexual enjoyment, you just have to be brave, and go to places that you've never gone to before."

Age UK are also tackling this subject, something they've previously not touched upon. The charity has recognised a lack of information and advice currently available around sex, relationships, and intimacy for those over 50.

They're launching a new initiative called Still Got It on February 6, which includes publishing a guide on the subject, to empower older generations to continue having sex and challenge the stigma surrounding it.

Lucy is a multi-award nominated writer and blogger with seven years’ experience writing about entertainment, parenting and family life. Lucy worked as a freelance writer and journalist at the likes of PS and moms.com, before joining GoodtoKnow as an entertainment writer, and then as news editor. The pull to return to the world of television was strong, and she was delighted to take a position at woman&home to once again watch the best shows out there, and tell you why you should watch them too.

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