Ch 16 - Sexuality and Intimacy
increase
A study showed that estrogen may help protect young women's hearts, reduce the risk of hip fracture, diabetes, and colon cancer. But, it also revealed that the hormones can (increase, decrease) the risk of other problems, such as blood clots and stroke
estradiol
Before menopause, what is the main source of estrogen?
Testosterone
Besides estrogen and progesterone, what is another hormone that some menopausal women have a decrease in that affects their libido and sexual pleasure?
7
By the age of 65, there are __ men to every 10 women
5
By the age of 85, there is 1 man for every __ women
40
By what age do most women start having irregular periods?
lowest, shortest
Currently, it is recommended that if estrogen is used to treat menopausal symptoms, it is prescribed at the ____________ effective dose for the ___________ period of time
a physical examination
Due to the range and complexity of conditions and causeswhich can cause erectile dysfunction, what is essential to do when erectile dysfunction is reported?
3-5
EPT should be limited to _-_ years of use after women go through menopause to minimize the symptoms
chronic
ET is not recommended to treat/prevent ___________ conditions in post-menopausal women or post-menopausal women who had a hysterectomy
7
ET should be limited to about _ years after women go through menopause
moderate to severe
Estrogen therapy should only be prescribed for someone with __________ to ____________ symptoms
security, comfort, emotional well-being
Feeling important and wanted by another person promotes what in people of all ages?
later, this is due to them ignoring symptom and attributing it to normal aging
HIV is usually diagnosed at a(n) (earlier, later) stage in older persons
- educate a,, ages on the realities and importance of sexual function in later life - ensure nursing care does not enforce negative attitudes about sex
How can nurses advocate for older adults on the topics of sex and intimacy?
- give them the realistic expectation that occasional impotence is not unusual or an indication that one is too old for sex
How do you ensure that older persons have realistic expectations about their sexual abilities as they age?
address the topic in a matter-of-fact way
How should a nurse approach asking an elderly person about discussing their sex life/sex life issues?
younger
Men have a tendency to marry women (younger, older) than them
married, widowed
Most older men are (married, widowed) and most older women are (married, widowed)
male
Most older men with HIV contracted it through sex with a (male, female)
male
Most older women with HIV contracted it through sex with a (male, female)
- ACE inhibitors - alcohol - alpha adrenergic blockers - antianxieties/benzodiazepines - anticholinergics - antidepressants - antihistamines - antihypertensives - antiparkinsonian agents - dietetics - dopamine agonists - MAOIs - nicotine - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories - sedatives/hypnotics - recreational drugs
Name a few of the different types of medications that can affect potency, libido, orgasm, and ejaculation:
increases
The likelihood of developing andropause (decreases, increases) with age
fifth
The older population accounts for one _______ of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS cases in the US
false, a decrease in the frequency of sexual activity in older persons is not necessarily
True or false: A decrease in the frequency of sexual activity in older persons is usually accompanied by a reduction in sexual interest or ability as well
true
True or false: Androgen therapy is an option for men going through andropause
false, not all men get it
True or false: Andropause is normal in aging men
partially true, estrogen therapy helps to prevent osteoporosis but only for as long as someone is on it. As soon as they stop the medication, the prevention effect is gone
True or false: Estrogen therapy helps prevent osteoporosis
false, interest in sex stays pretty consistent with age
True or false: Interest in sex decreases with age
false, it is normal for older men to sometimes have issues achieving an erection
True or false: It is a sign of another underleading issue if an older man has the occasional issue achieving an erection
false, many older women gain a new interest in sex. Thought to be from no longer having a chance of pregnancy, or due to increased time and privacy
True or false: Many older women lose interest in sex after menopause
false, older men are slower to erection, mount and ejaculate
True or false: Older men are slower to erection and mount, but are quicker at ejaculation
false, sexual pleasure and intimacy have positive effects on the health and should be encouraged
True or false: Older people who are institutionalized should not participate in sexual activity by themselves or with others to prevent injuries
false, premature ejaculation is not an age-related change. In fact, older men take longer to get off compared to younger men
True or false: Premature ejaculation is an age related change
true
True or false: The incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has increased more than twice as quickly in people 50+ than in younger adults
false, the testes usually do not lose their ability to produce testosterone
True or false: The testes usually lose their ability to make testosterone
false, starting hormone therapy 10+ years after menopause significantly increases your risk of heart problems
True or false: The time between when menopause and hormone therapy happen has no consequence on the symptoms
true
True or false: With age, there is a decrease in sexual responsiveness
false, there is a decrease in the frequency of orgasm with age
True or false: With age, there is no change in the frequency of orgasm,
false, there is no scientific evidence that would cause someone to reccomend herbal, natural, or custom-compounded hormones to help with menopause
True or false: bioidentical, custom-compounded hormones, herbal supplements, and other natural products are usually recommended prior to ET or EPT
true
True or false: sexual dysfunction can have a psychological cause
false, do not assume anything
True or false: you do not have to ask married people about their sex lives and should assume because they're married that its monogamous and healthy
Kinsley, Masters & Johnson
Until the work of ___________ and __________&____________, there had been minimal exploration into the realities of sex in old age.
- medications - penile prostheses - lubricants - surgery - sex counseling
What are some interventions for sexual activity issues?
- breast enlargement - osteopenia - osteoporosis - shrinkage of the testes - reduced libido - reduced sexual function - erectile dysfunction
What are some medical conditions which can occur due to lowered testosterone?
- vacuum pumps - penile implants
What are some non-medication ways to treat erectile dysfunction?
- sildenafil citrate (viagra) - tadalafil (cialis) - vardenafil (Levitra) - alprostadil
What are some of the drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction?
- moodiness - depression - memory problems - fuzzy thinking - lack of concentration - lower tolerance for annoyance - quick to anger - greater impatience - anxiety, restlessness, new onset of panic disorders - paranoia, psychotic symptoms
What are some of the emotional/cognitive symptoms of menopause
- hot flashes - fatigue - new onset of migraines - symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia -heart palpitations, atypical angina - restless leg syndrome - vaginal dryness and itchiness - loss of subcutaneous fat in the labia - insomnia - decreased BMR - weight gain - increased fat on the stomach and hips - lower urinary tract symptoms - bladder and vaginal infections - increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer
What are some of the physical symptoms of menopause?
- less lubrication - decreased distensibility - thinning of the vaginal walls
What are some reasons older women may experience dyspareunia?
- women with breast cancer - history of breast cancer - suspected or known estrogen-sensative cancer - Coronary artery disease - untreated hypertension - active liver disease - pulmonary embolism - undiagnosed vaginal bleeding - high sensitivity to hormone therapy
What are some reasons that someone might not be advised to take estrogen therapy?
- reduced muscle mass - reduced energy - reduced strength - reduced stamina
What are some results due to lowered testosterone?
- higher chance of type II diabetes - increased risk of cardiovascular disease
What are some risks connected to low testosterone levels?
- fluid retention - sleep disorders - breast enlargement/tenderness - prostate growth
What are some side effects and risks associated with androgen replacement therapy?
Alzheimer's disease
What can HIV-related dementia often be misdiagnosed as?
Estrogen levels fall and the reduced number of ovarian follicles lose their ability to response to gonadotropic hormone stimulation
What causes menopause to occur?
1/3
What fraction of men over the age of 65 have wives younger than 65?
estrogen-progesterone therapy
What is EPT?
estrogen therapy
What is ET?
andropause
What is a decline in testosterone levels due to aging called?
they attribute it to a normal aging process and do not seek medical attention because of it
What is a risk with STDs/STIs in older persons that often lead to them going untreated?
erectile dysfunction
What is commonly referred to as impotence and is a condition in which a man is unable to attain and maintain an erection sufficient enough to engage in sexual intercourse?
- promoting sexual capacity - maintaining sexual function
What is regular sexual expression important for in both sexes as they age?
- andropause is a slower process - andropause does not occur in all men - andropause can begin earlier in life than menopause
What is the difference between menopause and andropause, besides the hormones it effect?
Alprostadil
What is the drug which is an injection into the penis to increase blood flow?
erectile dysfunction
What is the inability to attain and maintain an erection of the penis sufficient to engage in sexual intercourse called?
Rhapontic rhubarb
What is the one herbal supplement that, in studies, has been shown to significantly reduce hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause?
perimenopause
What is the period of time several years prior to the onset of menopause called?
menopause
What is the permanent cessation of menses for at least one year called?
hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
What is the replacement of estrogen and/or progestin hormone(s)that is/are no longer being made by the body called?
dyspareunia
What is the term for painful intercourse
postmenopause
What is the time beginning 12 months after the last menstral cycle called?
ovaries
What organ produces estradiol?
sexual history
What part of a comprehensive assessment helps with revealing barriers to sexual active?
35%, with increased prevalence with age
What percentage of men ages 40 to 70 years old are affected by erectile dysfunction?
44%
What percentage of new HIV infections from persons 55+ are gay or bisexual men?
medication review
What should be reviewed when a new sexual dysfunction occurs?
it is a normal feature of the illness
What should family members and caregivers be told about inappropriate sexual acts done by a patient with dementia
do a comprehensive physical examination
What should you do if the reason for sexual dysfunction is not readily available through a history?
the work of masters & johnson
What study provided the first major insight into the sexual responses of older persons?
hormone therapy
What therapy has been known to help reduce symptoms of menopause?
- history of prostate cancer - history of breast cancer
What two risk factors would cause a doctor to not reccommend androgen replacement therapy?
- woman's individual health profile - potential risks - age of starting
What two things should guide HRT use?
30s
When does andropause begin in men?
around the 5th decade of life
When does menopause typically occur in most women?
the conversion of androstenedione to estrone in the skin and adipose tissue
When ovarian function declines, most estrogen is then obtained through what?
nondrug
When possible, (drug, nondrug) modalities should be used to manage health issues first
FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone)
When testosterone falls too low levels, what two hormones does the body increase the production of in an effort to increase testosterone?
ET
Which one carries lower risk: EPT or ET?
using them over the number of years recommended has been shown to increase one's risk of breast cancer and breast cancer mortality
Why do EPT and ET have recommended years of use?
- they do not understand context - inappropriate behavior such as masturbating in public - accuse care-er of sexual advances - touching and statements can be taken as invitations to advance sexually
Why do people with dementia commonly prove to be difficult to those caring for them due to their sexual needs?
- pregnancy is no longer a risk - belief that STDs only affect younger persons
Why might older persons not consider using a condom anymore?
higher
Women who start hormone therapy 10+ years after menopause have a significantly (lower, higher) risk of heart problems
lower
Women who start hormone therapy within 10 years of menopause appear to have a (lower, higher) risk of heart arrack and breast cancer