The 21^st century has a higher population of older adults than any other century. With medical and quality-of-life advancements, humans now have the opportunity to live long, healthy, and happy lives. Many people see older adults as a fountain of wisdom, and that extends beyond life advice – it includes insights into sexuality and sexual health.

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) is a congenital disorder (meaning people are born with it) that affects around 1/5000 people assigned female at birth. Those with MRKH are born with an absent or underdeveloped uterus, cervix, or upper vagina.

Data from the past few years show a recent rise in interest for cosmetic surgeries. Specifically, there has been a rise in labiaplasties, which researchers believe shows there may be concern over genital appearance. In fact, previous studies to create measurement scales have revealed that up to 50% of women studied have expressed concern over the appearance for nonaesthetic reasons as well.

Existing studies from the US and Scandinavia detail the sexual behavioral patterns of gay, lesbian, and bisexual men and women. In the United States, gay and bisexual individuals are more likely than heterosexuals to have high rates of unsafe sex and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as higher rates of sexual coercion over their life.

Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disorder in which certain cells malfunction and overpower the glands that provide lubrication to a variety of areas. Those with pSS may experience extreme dry eye and mouth, as well as an increased risk of getting infections of any kind.

Sexuality is an important part of life for many people at all ages, stages, and conditions. This includes older ages and age-related health complications. Around 40% of adults aged 65-80 years old are reported to be sexually active in several studies globally, although the frequency of sexual activity tends to decline with age.

There are some individuals who carry a breast cancer genes (BRCA) mutation. This mutation leaves them at a higher risk for developing breast and ovarian cancers throughout their lifetime.

Pelvic floor disorders are chronic conditions that can negatively impact female sexual function, whether by distress from sexual pain or problems with the sexual response cycle (desire, arousal, orgasm). These conditions range anywhere from incontinence (both urinary and bowel) to pelvic organ prolapse (pelvic organs descend and begin to fall out through the vaginal canal).

Receptive anal intercourse (RAI) includes any sexual activity in which one partner inserts their body part (finger, penis, tongue) or object (sexual aids) into their partner’s anus and is more common than many may think. Approximately 36% of heterosexual women and 44% of heterosexual men have reported engaging in anal sex with a partner in their lifetime, and even more bisexual, lesbian, and gay men and women.

Androgens are a group of sex hormones that are typically associated with male development; however, all genetic sexes carry and produce androgens. Currently, there is insufficient research on the role androgens play in the sexual function of premenopausal women.

Sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD) is considered the most common sexual dysfunction (SD) in women, presenting in 39% of American women and 40% of Canadian women. It’s characterized by low sexual desire or low sexual arousal over a period of at least 6 months. Both women with SIAD and their partners report higher levels of sexual distress, which is another key characteristic of the SD. It has been suggested in recent research that couples’ emotional regulation plays a very important role in determining the ability to cope with SIAD and accompanying sexual distress, based on the Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Model of Women’s Sexual Dysfunction. This suggests that both partners’ emotional regulation strategies could lead to lower levels of sexual and psychological distress, as well as higher levels of relationship satisfaction.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic condition most known for the body’s inability to produce or utilize insulin properly. If not managed carefully and holistically, including during treatment and care visits, DM can lead to further complications, such as sexual dysfunction (SD), of which 20-80% of diabetic women experiences symptoms. Sexual dysfunction experienced by diabetic women may include genital arousal disorder (caused by chronic hyperglycemia) or low self-esteem related to the overall impact of diabetes that may negatively affect sexual functioning. It’s assumed that as DM progresses, risk of SD increases.