Dr Zac Turner on how to improve your sex life as you get older

This particular sport can build endurance, boost blood flow and reduces stress – oh, and improve your bedroom prowess.

Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au.

This week Dr Zac Turner looks at how to have a safe sex life as you get older.

Question: My 65-year-old husband recently got a Viagra prescription and let’s just say he has been ready to rock and roll a lot more these days than he has in the last three decades (we’ve been married for 40 years).

It’s not that I haven’t been enjoying it (sorry kids!) but I am worried about him or myself getting injured, or worse, Derreck having a heart attack. He is overweight and also on heart medication. What’s your advice for a senior couple practising safe, injury free sex? Are there things outside the bedroom we should be doing to keep from harm’s way? – Michelle, 63, Hobart

Answer: No matter your age, you must always practice safe sex. As we get older the areas we should focus on for greater sexual ability are flexibility and functionality. Be sure to open up a strong communication channel with your husband as you reinvigorate your sex life. I’ve got some ideas for you and partner to try outside the bedroom but first let’s put your heart-attack worry to bed.

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Erectile dysfunction is a common problem.

If your husband is on heart medication for either low blood pressure or heart disease, that could explain his erectile dysfunction or ED. Erectile Dysfunction is when the nerves in your corpus cavernosa, which is like the cave of your husband’s penis, don’t communicate properly with his brain.

When men become aroused blood flows to their penis but for men with ED this doesn’t happen properly and so Viagra is taken to cause blood to flow more easily into the penis.

Heart medication such as nitroglycerine and other nitrates can interact dangerously with Viagra, however this being said I would trust that your husband’s GP and pharmacist would have checked this before prescribing him Viagra.

Australia’s medical practitioners must be trusted, especially in times like these, and I insist you stop worrying yourself by googling worst case scenarios.

Exercise for better sex

That being said there are definitely some steps you can take outside the bedroom to improve your sex life.

Let’s talk about stretches, baby. I recommend you stretch out before having sex or at least stretching every day, typically in the morning. This will allow for greater flexibility. Statistically it’s very unlikely you will die during or shortly after sex but it’s far more likely you will injure yourself with strains or dislocations.

A great way to improve flexibility and functionality is to get wet – in the swimming pool, of course. Studies have shown that swimming builds endurance, improves flexibility and strength, boosts blood flow and reduces stress. Check out your local swimming pool and see if they offer senior aquatic classes. This could be something you and your husband do together as a couple.

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Swimming is a great exercise for anyone who wants to improve their fitness in the bedroom.

Now I recognise that in some cases it can be the female partner whose body isn’t performing during sex. Vaginal Dryness in older women is caused by a decline of oestrogen sparked by menopause. This can be easily treated with prescription oestrogen creams, tablets or over-the counter moisturisers and lubricants.

I recommend you opt for water-based lubricant because it lowers the chance of you getting a cut on the inside of your vagina or your husband a sore on his penis. It will be harder to take care of these issues at your age.

Michelle, it sounds like you are having fun! If you upkeep a healthy lifestyle, limiting alcohol intake and exercising regularly, your sex life will flourish with your husband.

Dr Zac Turner has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney. He is both a medical practitioner and a co-owner of telehealth service, Concierge Doctors, and is also a qualified and experienced biomedical scientist | @drzacturner