Sex at 70? Sex at 80? Of Course!


You could never imagine your parents having sex, could you?  
When you are young, sex is an exciting discovery. It seems to belong to your generation, to beautiful bodies, to smooth skin, to perfect curves and six packs.

How can it be possible for the Wrinklies? Do they turn the lights off or what?
Of course we don’t! Dark is dodgy at 80. We would probably fall over climbing into bed! But being old doesn’t mean you stop being a normal human!

Human sexuality is a delightful pleasure for all ages. That 30 % of 80 year old women still have good sex…more would if we weren’t short of men in our age group…is not as well known as it might be.

For the young sex gets mixed up with love, lust and thrust. As it should. That is what hormones do to humans, get us to pair up and breed. But when you are older you have got past that. Then the other lovely elements of a good sex life come into their own, and if anything, get better and better.

How to explain?  First, good sex is not about orgasms. Nice? Yes. A relief? Yes. But I think most of us would say you might as well masturbate if that is all you want. Or get a good vibrator.

Good quality sex is much more than that. Its about two of you cherishing and caring on a mutual pleasure journey. It is Sensuality. The stroking, the soft soothing, the sensitive touching……even scratching….all much better done by someone else ……..And of course, knowing stimulation, by someone who cares what you will feel, is absolutely the best.Not much can beat a lover who is a good masseur, can it? With beautiful scented oil of course.

Yes, of course we still do the candles, a special meal, a good wine, music and dance. We still have the fur rug and the right arm chair. (Though maybe we need to borrow the Gardeners kneeling stool to get up again….)

But do you know what is the real pleasure of sex when you are old?

It is time!  Mornings can be long and lingering. Tea in bed, catch up on e mails? No hurry. A hand slides across and before you know it you are having to explain to the postman or the neighbour that ” No “you aren’t ill. Just needed a lie in. They sympathise…..and smile kindly.

And a mornings walk followed by a joint shower? Well of course us Oldies need a nap after lunch, don’t we?

Why am I telling you this? Because the reality that older people still have sex lives stares you in the face everyday. And I would be happy to bet that the majority of younger people just don’t see it!

The standard stereotype of old age does not include sex.

But start looking, eyes open wide, and you see it. Everywhere. The hand holding…yes they can walk without help. The little nuzzles and pats, an arm round a waist….just lovely! Fat, wrinkled, grey hair, bald, age spots and all, they are still in love.

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Again, why am I telling you? Because this stereotyping of older people as in some way different from other humans is totally unhelpful to everyone. Being old is normal. It is the third stage of human life and nothing to fear.

Rather, your third age is a special time, a time to enjoy and be happier than you ever were.

18 Comments

  1. Beaumont Sally
    January 7, 2017 / 9:55 pm

    A lovely few paragraphs to describe reality, or at least what can be reality whether the younger generation believes or not. Thank you. It needs saying.
    The problem is your lover, soulmate,friend leaves too abruptly. Then, memories become significant, but this does allow the memories to fade.

    • January 8, 2017 / 10:33 am

      Sally, so pleased you liked it. I wonder if the message can ever get across to the young?

      • Jamien Robb
        April 15, 2019 / 11:51 am

        Of course it gets to the young I will admit im 33 and lost my V at 18 to a 42yr old (at the time) and just last yr 2018 came out of an 18month fwb (friends with benefits) rship with a lady who is 75.

  2. January 8, 2017 / 6:27 pm

    I can vouch for that, and it applies whatever your sexual orientation. Growing through the years, together with your partner of whatever gender preference, is one of the greatest gifts old age can bestow.

  3. eremophila
    August 27, 2017 / 8:56 pm

    Bravo! 🙂 Thanks for speaking up as you do on a variety of topics and of course it had to include sex.

  4. Jo
    January 20, 2019 / 6:11 pm

    Yes! Finally someone brave enough to talk sex beyond 50 absolutely squashed all the stereo typical “libido loss after 50”

  5. January 24, 2019 / 1:34 pm

    All you say may well be true but your smugness irritated no end. Bully for you that you still have a good relationship with your husband of many years, what about those of us widowed, divorced, disabled etc etc etc. I would like nothing more than a good sex life but it just is not available, living on your own. Loneliness?? Thousands of us are lonely, wishing for a loving relationship. We know what the answer is but finding a new partner in your 70s or 80s is highly unlikely, let alone someone with whom you are physically compatible. So enjoy your active sex life and count your blessings. Is this rant coming from a jealous position? Of course it is but your smugness still grates.

    • May 19, 2019 / 9:11 am

      Don’t write yourself off. I’m a widower of 7 years and was encouraged to get on a dating site, the first woman that messaged me I liked and we met, we have been together 3 months, I’m 79 and she is 81 see each other often, she has stayed with me a few times We can’t get enough of each other hence in bed a lot, we are now looking for a together home. Sex is amazing

  6. Lizzie-Anne
    January 29, 2019 / 9:09 am

    Thank you! We are 71/72 and still enjoy bonking after nearly 50 years together, so it’s nice to know we have another ten years or so if we both survive! xxx

    • Sameer
      May 30, 2019 / 11:48 am

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  7. March 17, 2019 / 3:27 pm

    Great words to read and good to know for when I reach my 80s in another 50yrs time 🙂

  8. Siulapwa Jackson
    June 18, 2019 / 10:13 am

    I would like to learn more about this. Is there any related problems with having sex at 80?

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