What are the common sexual misconceptions prevalent among the middle aged men and women?



Men harbor the misconception that increasing age and excessive use may lead to weakening of the genitals and end in ‘seminal bankruptcy’. Because of this misguided belief, they observe sexual abstinence. One should remember that it is disuse which leads to atrophy and not the use. As a man grows older, he walks slow, he talks slow but he expects that his erection should not be slow! One needs to remember that this is a normal phenomenon. Some are under the impression that “one failure in making it means an end to sex life”. As a result, many men move from effective sexual functioning to various degrees of impotence. I always emphasize that occasional failures are common and failure does not mean an end. Women harbor the misconception that menopause marks the end of sex life. Menopause merely marks the end of a woman’s reproductive career and not the conjugal career which can continue up to the end of one’s biological life. In fact, the maturity of the partner’s end the relationship, along with guaranteed natural contraception may enhance the sex life. The misconception that “sex after 60 is not possible” needs to be changed. Men and women can continue to remain sexually active till the last day of their lives provided they are in sound physical and mental health.