Women: Got a Sex Problem? Who You Gonna Ask? Dr. Oz, of Course

Women of a certain age may have a hard time talking to their personal physician about their sexual issues.  So, who do they turn to – Why television’s favorite doctor, Dr. Oz, of course.

A study suggests that older women have a difficult time talking to their doctors about sex and instead of facing a real, live physician they are more comfortable turning on their television sets to listen to Oprah Winfrey’s successor, Dr. Oz and other such self-help gurus.

Elders May Be Embarrassed

According to the researchers, it’s not uncommon for older adults to need basic information about sex and intimacy.  They even point out that sexually transmitted infections are very common in senior retirement communities – meaning issues like protection aren’t being considered once adults are past childbearing age.

In fact, according to researchers elsewhere, more than 60 percent of individuals over 60 have sex at least once a month, but are rarely considered to be “at risk” of an STD.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that 10 percent of new AIDS cases each year occur in people over 50.  Even those who are no longer sexually active may still have a sexually transmitted infection for which they were never treated or screened.

To examine their theory, the researchers asked a group of women over the age of 50 about dating, sex and sexual health.  The women said they had some trepidation about discussing their health issues with their doctors, even describing such situations as embarrassing.  Some said their doctors never brought the subject up.

Physicians Need to Ask

So, how did the women address these issues?  They turned to Dr. Oz or browsed the Internet, or found some other way to find information.  Other self-help gurus on television or in magazines were also a source of information.  But, actually discussions with actual physicians was not a favored way of handling a medical situation related to health or relationships.

The researchers say that the issue is important and that physicians need to be more aggressive in talking to their patients.  They say without such action by the medical community – and not the ones on television or in magazines – older adults are putting themselves in danger of seeing the spread of STDs to epidemic proportions.  And, they say, it’s totally preventable.  All it takes is a little talk.  Older adults, they say, are more likely to take advice – as opposed to younger populations – when it’s given.

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