IN YOUR 70s

‘SEX WILL BE DIFFERENT WHEN YOU’RE 70. YOUR BODY HAS CHANGED, AS HAS YOUR SEXUAL FUNCTIONING’

Karina* (73) “Before my divorce, I was married for 32 years. I’ve since been in two relationships. One must make time for sex. I forget about the household chores and my to-do list and make time for sex.

“I wasn’t as shy when I was younger. I’d walk around in my underwear in front of my husband and wanted sex with the lights on. Now it’s a little different because I’m older, but I do special things that give me self-confidence. For example, I have a favourite song that turns me on.

“I feel women, and probably some men too, aren’t immediately turned on. You need to spend the week before or at least earlier in the day getting your mind in the mood for sex.” S A common challenge People this age often accept their sex lives are over, but the yearning for intimacy never goes away, says Dr Elmari Mulder Craig, a sexologist and couples’ counsellor from Pretoria.

“Naturally, sex will be different when you’re 70 or 80. Your body has changed and your sexual functioning might not be the same,” she adds.

But as an older adult you’re probably also wiser and you know what works best for you when it comes to sex. * Names have been changed

TIP Focus on intimacy, sensuality and physical touch, Craig suggests.

Anyone can be intimate, even if they suffer from health problems, and will benefit from the closeness of another person.

“It’s not about penetration – it’s about sensuality. There are other ways to pleasure each other.”