The article was written by Tim Newman on September 7, 2020, and fact checked by
Anna Guildford, Ph.D.
In our
Medical Myths series, we approach medical misinformation head-on. Using expert
insight and peer-reviewed research to wrestle fact from fiction, MNT brings
clarity to the myth-riddled world of health journalism.
6. There’s no point giving up smoking now
Whether this is a genuine myth or merely an excuse, some
older adults say that there is no point in giving up smoking at “their age.”
This is not true. As the NHS clearly explain:
“No matter how long you have smoked for and no matter how
many cigarettes you smoke a day, your health will start to improve as soon as
you quit. Some health benefits are immediate, some are longer-term, but what
matters is that it’s never too late.”
7. Sex is rare or impossible as you age
Some people believe that older adults lose their ability to
enjoy sex and that their sexual organs become unfit for purpose. This,
thankfully, is a myth.
It is true that the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) and
vaginal dryness increases as people age, but for most individuals, these are
not insurmountable problems.
Sildenafil (Viagra) and lubricants or hormone creams can
work wonders in many cases. Before taking Viagra, though, it is essential to
speak with a doctor, as it is not suitable for everyone.
An article in the International Journal of Clinical
PracticeTrusted Source indicates that around 0.4% of men aged 18–29 experience
ED, compared with 11.5% of men aged 60–69. However, flipping that statistic on
its head makes it much less daunting — almost 9 out of 10 men in their 60s do
not have ED.
Intercourse between older people may be less fast and
furious, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. As one author writes,
“Growing old does not necessarily discontinue a healthy sexual life, but it
does call for redefining its expression.”
There are certain benefits, too. For instance, a male’s
penis often becomes less sensitive, helping them maintain an erection longer.
It is true that as some people grow older, they do not have
the same sexual desire or drive as when they were young, but this is by no
means the case for everyone.
To end this section on a high, below is a quote from a
survey study that involved 158 older adults. Although the participants reported
that they were having less sex than a decade earlier, the authors write:
“A remarkably robust sex life was evidenced by both the men
and the women, even until advanced old age.”
The take home.
Overall, most of the myths surrounding age seem to center on
inevitability. People believe that it is inevitable that they will gradually
crumble into dust as their lives become increasingly unbearable, boring,
passionless, and painful.
Although certain aspects of health might decline with age,
none of the above is inevitable for everyone. As we have discovered, a positive
psychological outlook on aging can benefit the physical aspects of aging.
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