Do Older Folks Need To Give Up On Sex?

Q. My husband and I live in a retirement community. One common subject here is what to do when one spouse has an active sex drive but the other no longer functions in this area. Usually, the reason is numerous medications. Is there a medication the partner can take to decrease desire?
A. It may not be necessary to give up on sex. Many medications have a negative impact on libido or sexual performance, but sometimes there are alternatives that are less likely to cause impotence or dampen desire. There are even some options to overcome sexual difficulties.
Asking the doctor to adjust the non-functioning spouse’s treatment might be more satisfactory for both partners. We are sending you our Guides to Drugs That Affect Sexuality and Treating Sexual Dysfunction for a list of medicines that may cause trouble and a discussion of alternatives. Anyone who would like copies, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. YP-96, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
If the medications can’t be changed, the other partner might consider chaste-tree berry. It has a reputation for reducing sexual interest, which is why it was called “monks’ pepper” in medieval times.