Analysis of the sexual behavior of elderly women treated at a gynecological outpatient clinic

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the sexual behavior of the elderly women treated at the gynecological outpatient clinic over a period of one year, estimating the proportion of sexually active women, those with an interest in sex, and those who considered the activity of sex important for quality of life, among other findings. Method: a cross-sectional, descriptive, and exploratory study was performed. A pilot study was carried out in order to adjust and validate the data collection instrument. A convenience sample of 100 women was considered for the evaluation of socio-demographic characteristics and sexual behavior, including questions relating to sexual practice and interfering factors. The data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, and the associations were verified by Pearson's Chi-squared test, considering a significance of 5%. Results: it was observed that 60.0% of the elderly women felt sexual desire, although 26.0% were sexually active. While 75.5% reported that aging does not improve the quality of sex, 83.0% believed that it is important for quality of life and 78.0% affirmed that there is no age limit for sexual activity. The cultural view of the elderly may interfere with the maintenance of a sexual life, since 51.0% reported feeling sexual prejudice due to their age. Conclusion: sexuality is directly related to the perception of quality of life and as it is a vital human function, can interfere in the social, professional, physical and psychic performance of the individual. The practice of and the desire for sex are not extinguished with aging, which contradicts the myth that the elderly person is an asexual being.Analysis of the sexual behavior of elderly women 725

Correlational Analysis Between Elderly People’s Sexuality and Quality of Life

“…These results corroborate a study 14 carried out with 213 elderly Brazilians, Portuguese and English in which it was identified that elderly people express sexuality, above all, with the expressions of altruism, positive communication, eroticism, affection, attention and attractiveness, and the sexual activity was not readily revealed as a priority, although it is within the field of sexuality. Another survey 15 carried out with one hundred elderly women revealed that participants' satisfaction involved caresses, kisses and auto-eroticism as a way of expressing their sexuality. It should be remembered that sexuality transcends sexual activity and involves several other qualitative aspects capable of providing pleasure 15 .…”

Sexualidade de idosas e contribuições da enfermagem

“…Estudos que explorem fatores envolvidos e dificuldades encontradas por essas clientes contribuem para o cuidado holístico. Desta forma, torna-se importante mais pesquisas sobre o tema, ainda tão pouco investigado, avançando no campo da geriatria/gerontologia e repercutindo no bem-estar e qualidade de vida [11,16].…”

“…A consulta aborda assuntos íntimos e regiões que envolvem pudor, nesta oportunidade, deve aproveitar para abordagem de assuntos relacionados à sexualidade, ao meio psicossocial e possíveis disfunções sexual [11].…”

“…A sexualidade está diretamente relacionada a percepção de qualidade de vida e, por ser uma função vital humana, interfere no desempenho social, profissional, físico e psíquico [11].…”

“…É imprescindível aprofundarmos nessa temática, pois vem ocorrendo uma revolução sexual, refletindo nas idosas, dessa forma, concretizaremos os benefícios da sexualidade saudável. Nesta perspectiva, há uma necessidade da enfermagem em construir práticas em saúde abordando melhor a sexualidade no envelhecimento, em busca de novas concepções e propostas de estudos para avanços na área [11]. Considerando que pesquisas nesse assunto são escassas e que existem lacunas na literatura, o objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer as contribuições da enfermagem para a sexualidade de idosas.…”