talking sexy with your doctor
Colourful chairs in a doctors waiting room
For some of us, we have been seeing our local doctor for most of our life. They have witnessed the changes over the life span, given us our cervical screen test, issued scripts that helped us get over the flu, not get pregnant, or to take the physical pain away. But for some reason when it comes to sexual health, the basics (if any) are mentioned. It seems to be even more difficult for people who are in the LGBQTI+ community and other minority groups where unfortunately, assumptions are made about people’s sexual health.
Let’s introduce the ageing population. The over 60 year olds. Let me remind you in the year of 2020, Australia, had 1 in 6 of the population over the age of 65 (AIHW, 2024). There was an Australian study taken in 2018 (Malta, et. al.), that interviewed 15 General Practitioners. Majority of the doctors had a belief that:
Didn’t think sexuality was a high priority in this age group
Felt that it was the patients responsibility to bring up sexual health
Some G.P’s demonstrated ageism and stigma
Doctors blamed time constraints within consult
Totally agree that the number of doctors interviewed is low, but really, is this surprising?
While a more recent Australian study in 2024 (Bourcher, et. al.), found that many older people felt like they could speak to their G.P about sexual difficulties, but there also many barriers for some not to. They were:
If gender mismatch, less likely to ask G.P
Embarrassment
Ageist assumptions of not being sexually active or not being taken seriously
Uncertain about finding a solution
Time constraint in consult
Need a high rapport with G.P to ask
Research has shown that older people do want to talk about their sexual health with their G.P, but feel unsatisfied with the service they receive (Portellos, et. al., 2023). So I have created some conversation starters to give you some ideas on how you can bring the subject up in the your next doctors appointment.
vaginal discomfort
“I have noticed some dryness and irritation during vaginal penetration, is that something I can get support with”?
erectile challenges
“ I have noticed some changes in my sexual function and I’d like to understand if it’s normal for my age or if treatment is available.”
low libido
“Lately I have had a lower interest in sexual intimacy and I am wondering what could be causing it?”
sexual health
“I know we haven’t talked about this before, but I have some questions about my sexual health.”
medications & sexual health
“I have been wondering if any of my medications could be causing changes in my sexual function. Is it something we can look into?”
new relationships
“I have recently become sexually active again and I would like to talk about ways to stay healthy and safe.”
Where do older people get their sexual health advice from?
Australian research () has found that older people do seek help from their health care provider first, but here are some other resources that are used:
gynaecologist
sexual health clinics
internet
books
radio
find a sexual health cliic in australia
All you need to do is enter your postcode and a list of sexual health clinics will be displayed. Click on this link for Health Direct
references
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (AIHW), 2024. Older Australians. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australians/contents/demographic-profile
Bourchier Louise, Temple-Smith Meredith, Hocking Jane S., Malta Sue (2024) Older patients want to talk about sexual health in Australian primary care. Australian Journal of Primary Health 30, PY24016. https://doi.org/10.1071/PY24016
Malta, S., Hocking, J., Lyne, J., McGavin, D., Hunter, J., Bickerstaffe, A., & Temple-Smith, M. (2018). Do you talk to your older patients about sexual health? Health practitioners’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards, management of sexual health among older Australians. Australian Journal for General Practitioners, 47, 807-811. https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/november/do-you-talk-to-your-older-patients-about-sexual-he
Portellos, A., Lynch, C., & Joosten, A. (2023). Sexuality and ageing: A mixed methods explorative study of older adult’s experiences, attitudes, and support needs. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 86(7), 515-526. https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226231164277