Routine questions about sex important to elderly. (Initiate the Conversation).

HONOLULU -- "How's your sex life?"

Many doctors never think to ask their older patients this question, despite the evidence suggesting sex is an area of interest for many older adults who are living longer and healthier lives, Dr. Tomas L. Griebling said at the annual meeting of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

The libido may diminish somewhat with age, but it doesn't disappear, and the downward trend isn't universal. He cited data from the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development at Duke University Durham, N.C., which showed that 13% of older women surveyed reported an increased interest in sex. But many health professionals are reluctant to ask older patients about their sex lives--perhaps because of a lack of knowledge, embarrassment over asking questions about such intimate details, or a combination of factors, said Dr. Griebling of the division of urologic surgery in the Center on Aging at the University of Kansas, Kansas City.

It's up to the doctor to initiate a conversation about sex, because patients usually are reticent even if they want to remain sexually active and would welcome an opportunity to ask questions, Dr. Griebling said. "Some good studies show that if you wait for the patient to initiate the discussion, they won't do it." With a knowledge of the basic age-related changes that occur in sexual function, doctors often can help their patients achieve greater satisfaction in their sex lives, even if it's just by knowing when to refer them to a specialist.

However, if the patient seems uninterested in sex or is satisfied with his or her current level of sexual activity it's best not to press the issue, Dr. Griebling said.

A psychiatrist can help patients talk about certain sexual issues and pinpoint underlying factors, he said. For example, a psychiatrist can recognize ...