The body shows signs of aging, but the heart remains young. A candle may get worn out due to repeated use, but it still continues to burn while showing off its "passionate" flame. Likewise, aging and development of new relationships and identities may not mean that a woman gets separated from her womanhood and its specific needs. Seniority and graying of hair do not necessarily indicate that it's "retirement time".
Remember, the 2002 song, "She will be loved" by Maroon 5? The song showed how an elderly woman, who was the mother of a young girl, felt desperate while seeking love, passion , attention and sex from her husband while later landing up in having an affair with her daughter's boyfriend. But sadly, not much effort has been put on educating senior women on safe sexual practices.
A study has found that sexually active women, who have crossed the age of 50 years, are in need of sex education just like the youngsters, who are commonly chosen as the main targets of these educational efforts.
Researchers at the University of Florida have opined that elderly women are matured enough to know the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, but they feel shy to consult their doctors for their sexual health problems. The study has concluded that the communication between women above 50 and their doctors needs further improvement and has found that doctors tend to make a mistake by assuming that senior women, being highly experienced, have all the required information at their fingertips.
The study has disclosed that older women need to know how to discuss the importance of safe sexual practices with their partners. They are well aware of the importance of safe sex, but at the same time, the fear of rejection or conflict, keeps them away from suggesting the use of condoms to their partners.
The study has brought into light the need of social marketing campaigns which will address all the concerns of older women on their sexual health by assisting them to receive the information they seek on their sexual health.
