Wired has a great article about senior sex and how the senior population deals with some of the common problems related to aging and sex. What's fantastic is that many people are looking up things on the internet (where they'll find places like our How-To section) and talking to their doctors and to sex educators to try to find solutions.I often say that at Babeland, there is no typical customer. Everyone walks through our doors and helping the "Over 60" population has been some of the most rewarding work I've ever done. I've explained where the clitoris is to women with gray hair who've never had orgasms; I've helped shy older men pick out spanking implements because their wives have suddenly discovered, after 40 years of marriage, that they're kinky; people with erection difficulties are often stunned by the cock ring; older women are bowled over by vibrators (if my hands were arthritic, a vibrator would be essential); vaginal dryness? no problem!

Ironically, age-related medical conditions can be the catalyst for seniors to challenge old taboos around female pleasure, sex beyond intercourse, and frank discussions about sexual needs and relationships. Sex educators and a small handful of progressive doctors are becoming involved in helping seniors find solutions to physical problems -- which in turn leads to necessary emotional work.

I'm happy to read in this article that doctors and sex educators are working together. It's something I would like to see a lot more of. I know there are times when having a conversation about a patient's sex life can be daunting or just plain old time-consuming. Babeland is a place where patients can get their questions answered (and ask questions they would never ever think of asking their doctor).The Wired article also mentions the newest issues of HIV and STI infection among the senior population. With years of mis-conceptions about sex roles and condoms, no wonder this is a problem:

Many seniors don't realize STDs are prevalent in their population. Yet an AIDS Community Research Initiative of America study found that 30 percent of New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS were over 50 in 2005. New cases of HIV have been diagnosed in people in their 80s.

Wow. Let's start those sex educations classes for seniors. Maybe that could be a new workshop at Babeland!