Sexuality and old age

Issues of sexuality and old age are gaining new relevance in medicine in view of the generally increasing life expectancy. Changing conceptions of sexuality and age are discussed as well as normal age-related alterations in sexuality and the most commonly resulting sexual disturbances in elderly men and women. The importance of including issues of partnership and sexuality into medical history taking and of sexual counselling as both prophylaxis and therapy is pointed out. A holistic, biopsychosocial concept is advocated stressing the attachment and relational dimension of sexuality.