title: [Sexuality in the elderly: The role of the physicians in maintaining sexual health of older men].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexuality in the elderly is still a social taboo. A commitment by medical practices to address the topic of sexuality in later life is essential, given that the sexual health is part of the quality of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Identification of barriers and discourse of effects in the physician's behavior when dealing with the sexuality of older people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review and discussion of interdisciplinary literature and social discourse. Compilation of expert opinions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the introduction of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors led to a removal of taboos concerning erectile dysfunction, the sexuality of older men became narrowed to physiological aspects. The elderly still complain that consultations concerning their sexuality receives too little attention in medical practice. Problems are boundaries of shame and disregard of the sexuality of elderly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexuality in old age will have to become more prominent in medical practices, due to demographic changes and changing self-images of the elderly. The social role of physicians enables straightforward discussions about sexuality. Taking a sexual history and choosing an active approach proved to be practicable to discuss sexual problems with older people.
authors.affiliation: Stiftung Männergesundheit, Claire-Waldoff-Straße 3, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland. chakkalakal@stiftung-maennergesundheit.de.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chakkalakal
authors.affiliation: Stiftung Männergesundheit, Claire-Waldoff-Straße 3, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weißbach
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054526:Men's Health; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D060728:Reproductive Health
keywords: Aging; Life expectancy; Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors; Quality of life; Sexual history