Dr. ABBAS 

Improving Sex in Late Life

Q. I am 58 years old and my husband is 66 years old. We have had no sex life for the past 3 to 4 years. I would like to improve our sex and intimacy. We would appreciate if you could briefly give us guidance how to go about it.
Concerned Reader, Songea.

A. Some sexual emotional problems become more common in later life. These include lack of vaginal lubrication, slow arousal times and a breakdown in intimacy and affection between partners. The following tips can help: Improve vaginal lubrication by using good quality lubricants. They are available in the form of jellies. Some products have specially designed applicators. Improve sensation during sex by spending longer on mutual stimulation and foreplay. Improve erotic stimulation, try getting absorbed in a sex books. You can also try using sex toys. Improve your body’s physical responses. Consider taking HRT or testosterone. Make a date of intimacy and give each other the present of a message session. Cuddle, stroke and hug several times a day. Talk to each other regarding love and romance. Take care of your appearance so that you still appear attractive all the time. Be romantic, go for a walk and watch things together.
Secondly, as age slows down your body may find that you gradually become less energetic and your sex drive starts to decline. However, women who start off highly sexed are likely to remain so and provided you have a willing and interested partner, there is no reason why you cannot continue enjoying sex. One problem that can cause decline in sexual activity, as you get older, is familiarity and boredom in long-term sexual relationships. This is why it is important to keep finding ways to inject variety into your sex life.

Pulled Muscles

Q. I am 45 years old and recently sustained pain in my thighs after running a short distance. Pain is consistent, but I am able to walk and do my job. Would you kindly let me know what could be the reason of the pain and what can be done?
Concerned Reader, DSM.

A. You are suffering from muscles pull, which you must have sustained when you run.
Tearing of the muscular fibre usually also damages blood vessels in the muscles because muscles have large numbers of blood vessels which provide oxygen and remove waste products.
Tearing muscles thus causes haemorrhage, known as haematoma. Other symptoms are pain particularly when using the damaged muscles, and resultant restricted movements. As muscular fibre on both sides of the damaged area contracts, an indentation may be felt at the point of the tear.
Muscles can also be torn by injury from outside, which may also damage other tissues. This is particularly common in sports. Sudden convulsive muscular contraction can also cause tearing; damage of this kind happens in badly trained muscles and those affected by muscular conditions. If the tear is only partial, bandaging is usually sufficient treatment, but depends on the site of muscular tear. You cannot bandage if it is on the trunk. If muscles tear is complete, the muscle must be sewn. The muscles on both sides of the tear contracts, so that torn surfaces are so far apart that they cannot join spontaneously.
Painkillers and rest of that site would be ideal treatment. Some people get benefit by hot or cold compressions.

New Parenthood

Q. I am 29 years old and would like to know how soon couples can resume their sex life after having a baby? When do I need to start using contraceptives again? What sort of contraceptive should I use?
Concerned Reader, Bukoba.
A. The usual advice is to wait for six weeks after the birth to avoid the risk of infection and allow your cervix and vagina time to heal, especially if you had episiotomy (a cut made from the edge of the vagina to prevent tearing during delivery). Guidelines vary from country to country, however you should ask your doctor for individual recommendation, but you should definitely avoid intercourse until the flow of lochia (the vagina) discharge that occurs after delivery has stopped.
You should start using contraceptives as soon as you resume sex life. Even if your period has not yet returned, you may be ovulating and this means that it is possible for you to conceive. Breastfeeding confers contraceptive protection but it is not 100 per cent reliable, especially if you are not breastfeeding full time.
Discuss with your doctor the best type of contraceptive for you. Your choice will be influenced by factors such as whether you would like to have more children in the future and whether you are breastfeeding. While you are breastfeeding barrier methods of contraceptive such as condom are preferable to combined pills.