The social perception of old age often associates this stage with a loss of sexual desire, but studies point in the opposite direction. For many older women, sexuality is now experienced with greater intensity and satisfaction than in their youth, thanks to greater freedom and self-awareness. Statements like those of actress Loles León, at 75, who states that sex at her age "is good, because there is more laughter and complicity than before," highlight this reality.
A study by the Institute of Women, based on the perceptions of 51 Spanish women aged between 65 and 89, reveals that the majority enjoy their sexuality more now than in previous stages. This "sexual revolution" is explained by the liberation from prejudices and social mandates, such as those that associated sex with sin or reproductive obligation during the Franco regime. Participants like Laura (74) or Adela (67), both from Valencia, emphasize how their sexuality has become more conscious, gentle, and pleasurable upon reaching maturity.
Sexual relations in old age do not always imply greater frequency, but rather a different quality, marked by slowness, fantasy, and deeper communication. Participants like Carmen (65, from Madrid) describe sex as "slower, with more fantasy and different," while others, like Catalina (77, from Seville), have learned "other tricks" to maintain satisfaction. Many women have undergone a learning process that has freed them from fears and prejudices.
The study also addresses how aging can bring about physical changes, such as fewer erections in men or vaginal dryness in women. However, sexuality remains present, linked to well-being, affection, and communication. Women who grew up during the Franco era have reinterpreted sexuality as a right and a factor of quality of life, leaving behind the idea of sex as "sin" or a mere marital duty.
“"All of them, both those who continue to enjoy sex and those who do not, are aware of their sexuality and, when given a protected space to express themselves, speak taboo-free about the subject. And the majority assert that they certainly have sexuality, desire, and they masturbate."
One of the study's authors, Paloma Andrés Domingo, a gynecologist and sexologist, highlights the participants' sexual awareness and their ability to speak openly about the subject. She mentions the case of an 89-year-old woman who maintains "non-coital relationships with different men" outside the residence where she lives, highlighting the need for spaces that guarantee residents' privacy. In her opinion, rather than a sexual revolution, older women are experiencing a "visibility" of their sexuality, breaking away from the repressive education they received.
Sociologist and sexologist Cecilia Bizzotto, spokesperson for JOYclub, emphasizes that sexuality in old age depends on the education received and whether desires have been repressed or not. She advises that, in the face of physical difficulties, sexuality can be rewritten, focusing more on caresses, games, or exploration, thus breaking the stereotype of "vanilla and cuddly" sex in old age.
