Masturbation, although increasingly more acceptable, is still considered shameful or harmful for many elderly. Research has accumulated on the sexuality of the elderly, which generally supports the view that sexual capacity has been underestimated except where illness or lack of a sexual partner is a factor. Changes that occur in elderly men are often misinterpreted as impotence. Older men generally take longer to obtain erections, but can remain erect and make love longer before attaining orgasm. Older men are usually able to continue some form of sexual activity well into their eighties and even beyond.
Older women experience little physical impairment as they age.
If a woman is in reasonably good health, she can expect to remain sexually active until late life. Menopause or the change of life, occurs with the cessation of menstruation, usually between the ages of 45 and 50. The physiological situation of older women during and after menopause commonly effects gradual steroid insufficiency, which causes a thinning of the vaginal walls. Cracking, bleeding, and pain can result during sexual intercourse. There may be vaginal burning and itching, the urethra and bladder can become irritated as their vaginal walls atrophy, and there can be burning or frequency in urination for several days after sexual intercourse.