Sexuality and intimacy in later life : hormonal determinants

Abstract

The developed world has seen an increase in life expectancy and a general drop in fertility rates changing the population demographics in favour of a greater proportion of elderly individuals who retain an overall good health profile. The issue of sexuality in the elderly has unfortunately often been relegated to the backburner. The elderly, however, do have needs related to sexuality, and health professionals need to be tuned to the needs that often remained unspoken and unaddressed.