·What factors underpin dominant understandings of later life sexuality? · How do older people experience and prioritise sexuality and sexual health? ·What sexual health issues are relevant to older people and how are these addressed by health care professionals? This is the first book to integrate theoretical insights into sexuality, sexual health and ageing, with research findings from studies conducted with older people and the professionals that work with them. The book is split into three sections. In the first section stereotypes that typify contemporary understandings of sexuality and ageing are explored, particularly the ‘myth of asexual old age’ and the more recent stereotype of the ‘sexy oldie’. Section two identifies what we actually know about ageing and sexuality by reviewing current literature, as well as presenting findings from one of the first qualitative studies to explore sexuality from the perspective of older people themselves. The final section of the book explores what ‘sexual health’ means within the context of ageing and focuses on issues relevant to health professionals working with older people. Sexuality, Sexual Health and Ageing provides key reading for students, researchers, practitioners and policymakers working within gerontology, sociology, psychology, social work, health sciences, nursing and medicine. This book is likely to become essential reading for all academics and professionals working with older people or in the area of sexual health.

Across the globe, both in developed and developing countries, the population is rapidly ageing. In the fields of sexual and relationship therapy and sexual health, ageing has not been an issue of priority. Too often, ageing is thought of as a process that relates to problems, deficits, and taboos, and less to pleasure, change, growth and diversity. It is treated as a separate life stage and not a process throughout the lifecycle. Sexuality and sexual health are important parts of the lives of older people, as they have a significant impact on quality of life, psychological well-being and physical health, as well as social and family life. This book brings together contributions from those currently writing on and researching ageing as it relates, in a therapeutic context, to gender identity, to sex and sexuality, and to intimate relationships. This book was originally published as a special issue of Sexual and Relationship Therapy.

There is growing evidence that the sexual rights of older people are not being met. One reason connects with the way that older people are viewed. In many cultures, older age is associated with decline, frailty, and disease and this construction of the older person positions them as dependent, powerless, and vulnerable.

Confronting taboos and misunderstandings about sexuality and aging, Couple Sexuality After 60: Intimate, Pleasurable, and Satisfying motivates couples to embrace sex and sexuality in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. The book busts two extreme myths—that people over 60 cannot and should not be sexual and that the best way to be sexual is to emphasize eroticism, using sex toys, and "kinky sex". Using a variable, flexible approach to couple sexuality based on the Good Enough Sex (GES) model, this book places the essence of sexuality in pleasure-oriented touching, not individual sex performance. Barry and Emily McCarthy introduce a new sexual mantra of "desire/pleasure/eroticism/satisfaction" with the goal of presenting a healthy model of sexuality to replace the traditional double standard that couples learn in young adulthood. Specific chapters focus on important areas like coming to terms with the new normal, female–male sexual equity, satisfaction being about more than intercourse and orgasm, valuing synchronous and asynchronous sexuality, psychobiosocial approaches to sexuality, and more. In addition to aging heterosexual couples, single individuals and queer couples will find this book interesting. Additionally, sexual health clinicians and sex therapists with clients over the age of 60 will find this a fascinating read.

Early childhood sexuality, puberty and adolescence.

VOLUME 1 Psychological Foundations CONTENTS: Sexual health: Definitions and construct development; Health benefits of sexual expression; Love and sexual health; Evolution and the adaptive significance of asexual, sexual, and erotic touch; Touch as the primary element of sensual and erotic expression; Facilitating positive sexual communication; Childhood sexuality; Magical age of 10; Gender identity: From dualism to diversity; Orientations: GLBTQ; Sexuality: Young and middle adulthood; Sexuality at midlife and beyond; The direct and indirect impact of childhood abuse and neglect on sexuality; Mental health, mental illness, and sexuality. VOLUME 2 Physical foundations CONTENTS Systems that contribute to sexual response and expression; Role of the brain and nervous system; Hormones and female sexuality; Hormones involved in male sexual function; Circulatory system; Sexual anatomy and physiology: An overview; Pregnancy and sexuality; Menopause and sexuality; Sexual changes in the aging male; Effects of drug and alcohol abuse on sexual function; Sexual pain disorders; Meeting the challenge: Providing comprehensive sexuality services to people with intellectual disabilities; Neurological impairment of sexuality in men and women; Chronic conditions and disability. VOLUME 3 Moral and cultural foundations CONTENTS: Public health perspectives in sexual health; Classical Jewish perspectives on sex; Catholic culture and sexual health; Sexual value systems and sexual health; Sex in America: From below the Victorian belt to the start of modern dating; Cultural perspectives on orgasm embedded in medicine, science, philosophy, and literature; Cultural influences on African American sexuality: The role of multiple identities on kinship, power, and ideology; Native American culture and sex; Contrasts and contradictions: a brief look at the construction of sexuality in Mexico; Eros in the Dragon empire: the open door to sex in China: Sex and sexual dysfunction in the Middle Eastern Culture; Female genital cutting: Understanding the tradition; Sexual identities of gay men and lesbians: Cultural foundations and controversies; Sex sells: Business, politics, and the U.S. Media; Adolescent sexuality viewed through two different cultural lenses; Importance of broad-based human sexuality education as the context for sexual health instruction. VOLUME 4 State-of-the-art treatments and research CONTENTS: Sexual problems and dysfunctions in men; psychological and relationship aspects of male sexuality; Pharmacological treatment of male erectile dysfunction; Devices used for the treatment of sexual dysfunctions in men; Womens sexual problems and concerns; Therapy update for women: The treatment of low libido in women using an integrated biopsychosocial approach; Spiritual dimensions of sexual health: Broadening clinical perspectives of womens desire; Gender variability: Transsexuals, crossdressers, and others; Physical therapy and sexual health; Understanding family planning, birth control, and contraception; Sexually transmitted infections; Sexual rehabilitation after cancer; Access to pleasure: On-ramp to specific information on disability, illness and changes throughout the life span; Iatrogenic causes of female sexual disorders;