Sexuality experiences in optics of women in the third age

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Objective: to understand the experiences of women in old age in relation to sexuality. METHOD: an integrative review carried out through five steps described by Cooper. The search was carried out in the LILACS, BDENF and SCIELO databases, using the descriptors women's health, health of the elderly, nursing, seniors, and sexuality. 18 articles were including. RESULTS: it was found in the elderly women the reduction or inexistence of behaviors related to sexuality; existence of prejudices, myths and social taboos and oppressive culture; maintaining sexual practices to maintain marriage; verification of unsafe sexual experiences and practices, related to the non-use of condoms; understanding that sexuality involves affective and emotional aspects, in addition to the sexual act. Positive and negative factors related to the experience of sexuality by elderly women were also identified. CONCLUSION: there was a higher prevalence of negative factors related to the experience of sexuality by these women than positive factors. There are few studies that demonstrate the full experience of sexuality and the impacts on the quality of life of women in old age.