Sex and sexuality in the third age: elderly women and their multiple senses

Brazil has witnessed an increase in the elderly population in recent years. In this sense, it is necessary to think about improving the quality of life of thesepeople, promoting an active and healthy aging. Therefore, sexuality represents an element that should be explored in view of the different dimensions that encompass aspects that promote health benefits. This research aimed to study the perceptions of the elderly woman about sexuality, and as specific goals toidentify factors that interfere in the sexuality of the elderly woman, and to verify how the elderly women experience their sexuality. This is a qualitative study, through action research from the search for perceptions of the sexuality of the elderly woman, allowing reflections referring to their multiple senses. Ten (10) women, most of them between 60 and 69 years old, participated in the study and after data analysis, four thematic groups emerged in the study, categorized as: Full sexual activity, Sex and freedom, Sex and negative feelings, and Sex: yesterday, but today, other priorities; where they demonstrated diversity in their reports about sexuality during the proposed activities. It is concluded that the perceptions of the elderly woman regarding sexuality are multifactorial, and are determined by their lived experiences, most of the women reported that they experience their sexuality interacting in physical and collective activities. The sexuality of the elderly woman, although it is still seen as a taboo in today's society, needs to be considered as public policies for the elderly population, in order to promote an active, healthy and quality aging.