Good evening,
This week I was invited onto BBC Radio Solent to chat with Pat Sissons about the controversial subject that arose last week within the media regarding condoms now being packaged in lookalike seeds envelopes and available to buy in Garden Centres across the UK.
Please listen to the audio attached to this blog.
We also talked about sex and Intimacy for singles later in life and the obstacles that older singles (male & female) will have to deal with mentally before considering embarking on a new relationship.
Sex & Intimacy later in life - Is this a taboo subject?
Or are we all open to talking about it?
So, last week on breakfast telly, they joked about STIs in the over 65s being on the rise, and now garden centres have released a range of gardening-themed condoms to encourage the older generation to practice safe sex!
Analysis by Public Wellbeing England has revealed that STIs among the many over-65s is at an all-time excessive, with instances greater than doubling previously 10 years amongst this age group within the UK.
We all agree that meeting someone new mid-life or later in life means you need to be just as careful as younger people when having sex with a new partner. Pregnancy is not a worry, but it does not mean that you are not susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases.
Is this subject taboo to you? Then let's have a chat about this unspoken subject!
Okay, you are in your 50s, 60s or 70s ……you have become single (either due to divorce, bereavement, or never really found the one), and you have been on your own for a while - the thought of meeting someone, getting intimate with them scares the bejaysus out of you.
Don't let this belief take over and keep you from having an open mind. For many reasons in mid to later life, we worry about our ageing bodies, by their performance or illness, and we find the subject embarrassing and unmentionable to friends and family.
Many of my clients in their 50s, 60s, 70s plus, divulge their concerns and worries about getting intimate again after being with one person for 20, 30 or 40 plus years.
This is a big part of the journey both male & female clients go on with me and the team at Select Connections. We feel that with our openness, supportive and respectful approach to this subject, our clients feel comfortable talking to us rather than friends or family.
We find by explaining that a good sex life—at any age—involves a lot more than just sex and to focus initially on the importance of tenderness and communication - moving on from there when the time is right. Sex & Intimacy bring physical, mental and emotional health benefits for people, regardless of age.
If you're in a new relationship, then again, when the time is right, have a chat so that you both know what you want from your time together.
Many of us feel self-conscious when we're with a new partner. Remind yourself that they probably feel the same way.
Let's do away with the myth that older people shouldn't, couldn't and wouldn't want to have sex and be intimate.
Our advice: If you have any concerns, please talk to a health professional. They will be more than happy to give you any medical information on overcoming any worries whilst showing respect and giving you the well-needed support you need.
Please also feel free to get in touch with Jacqui or Melinda to discuss any concerns:
Jacqui
www.select-connections.com
Melinda
melindasmithcoaching@gmail.com