Cultural Aspects in Sexual Function and Dysfunction in the Geriatric Population: A Review of the Current Literature and Clinical Overview of Clinical Interventions With Efficacy

Living in a Paradox: How Older Single and Widowed Black Women Understand Their Sexuality

The current phenomenological study explored how single and/or widowed older Black women understand their sexuality in the context of their Black matriarchal role and through their relational interactions with their children, families, friends, and their extended social networks. The women spoke about their sexuality in the contexts of Black matriarchy, concept of self, and communication. Black matriarchy was defined as the tenacity with which, as Black women and Black mothers, participants occupied a centralized role in their families, while concept of self reflected heavily on conflicting perceptions they held of their understanding of themselves as sexual beings. Regarding communication, many participants felt constrained in self-disclosing their sexual feelings and relationship status. Living in a paradox exemplified our interpretation of the women' struggles as they tried to balance the expectations of the roles they occupied in society with their own identity as a sexual being. Our findings offer a nuanced exploration of the various dimensions about how they understand themselves by providing invaluable insight into their world as older Black women. The implications for policy and practice pertain to assessing the fundamental historical and contemporary issues that older Black women face while simultaneously considering the convergence of race, gender, and sexuality.

"Shades of Grey": Exploring Public Opinion about Later-Life Sexuality

Public opinion on later-life sexuality affects older people's sexual health, behaviour, and satisfaction. In this study, we explored public opinion on later-life sexuality by participants' responding to an open-ended question rather than rank their level of agreement or disagreement with different statements about older people's sexuality. Responses from 135 men and women reflecting on how sexuality changes in older age were thematically analysed. Five themes emerged, varying from positive to negative perceptions of later-life sexuality. Older people's sexuality was described as declining, non-existent, conservative, narrow, tedious, and boring, but also as encompassing more emotions and feelings; being better and more "complete". This study provides qualitative data and an opportunity to gain insights on valuable opinions on what young and middle-aged people think about later-life sexuality. Assessing what people think about later-life sexuality is the first stage in instilling more liberating views about the diversity of sexual expressions in old age.

The underutilization of obliterative and constrictive surgery in the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse

Vaginal length and caliber are necessary for satisfactory vaginal coitus. Surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can include preservation of vaginal length and caliber, or shortening and narrowing of the vagina (constrictive and obliterative surgery). The latter option is proven to have fewer complications and a lower risk of recurrence of POP. Women undergoing surgical intervention for POP who are not coitally active and choose not to be coitally active for the rest of their lives should be offered constrictive and obliterative surgery.