DAVID KAUFMAN, MD: I think that really has changed dramatically over the last few decades. As the Baby Boomers are getting older, it's really hard to consider somebody over the age of 55, which might have been considered a senior in the past, as elderly, because they're just really exhibiting behavior patterns that they've been exhibiting for a long time. I think that probably for the purposes of this discussion, we should really be speaking about the eighth decade of life, if my panelists agree with me there.
DAGMAR O'CONNOR, PhD: I often think that the woman feels old when she enters menopause. That's the first real sign of loss of reproductiveness and the purpose of life. That is the time when most of the trouble starts in terms of sexual functioning.
PATRICIA BLOOM, MD: So you would say any time between 45 and 55.
DAGMAR O'CONNOR, PhD: I would think so.
PATRICIA BLOOM, MD: Although technically speaking, as a geriatrician, it's over the age of 65. But I will agree with David that our, I guess as all of us approach, we like to push it.
DAVID KAUFMAN, MD: I don't like the 45 part being considered elderly.
PATRICIA BLOOM, MD: But especially talking about sexual activity, I think what is interesting is that people don't even conceive of people over the age of 80 being sexually active. But I think you would agree, surveys show that actually the majority of people over the age of 65 are still sexually active. And even when you get into the 80 and above, still about a quarter to a third of elderly, even women and men, have sexual activity. And that's something that people generally don't think about or wouldn't believe is true.
