Deck 16: Sexuality and Aging

Question 1

As they age, both males and female experience a decline in sex hormones.For males, the reduction of _____ is gradual; whereas for females, the reduction of _____ is dramatic.

A)estrogen; progesterone
B)androgen; iodine
C)glucose; testosterone
D)testosterone; estrogen

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the primary indicators of perimenopause?

A)fatigue
B)hot flashes
C)weight gain
D)increased sex drive

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Sociologists refer to the stereotypical attitudes people hold about aging and the elderly as:

A)ageism.
B)geronphilia.
C)generationism.
D)elder criticism.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

"Baby Boomers" are those Americans who were born between the years _____ and _____.

A)1906; 1924
B)1946; 1964
C)1966; 1984
D)1986; 2004

Question 5

After age 75, a woman can expect to experience more irritation in the clitoris because:

A)normal physical limitations will impede her ability to fully cleanse the area.
B)hair follicles around the clitoris are increasingly likely to become infected.
C)the clitoris has less protection due to the gradual loss of the mons.
D)increased skin collection around the clitoris traps moisture.

Question 6

Erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness are both elements of _____ aging.

A)primary
B)secondary
C)tertiary
D)delayed

Question 7

Researchers refer to the basic biological processes that are genetically programmed and that take place with the passage of time as _____ aging.

A)primary
B)secondary
C)tertiary
D)delayed

Question 8

Historians generally agree that the baby boom phenomenon occurred mainly because of the:

A)economic prosperity that followed World War II.
B)prohibition of all birth control methods during that time.
C)introduction of large tax breaks for those with children.
D)significant increase in the percentage of the population that was Catholic.

Question 9

According to 2007 U.S.Census data, one in _____ Americans is age 65 or older.

A)two
B)four
C)eight
D)twenty

Question 10

Prior to menopause, women go through a 10 to 15 year period known as _____, which is the result of decreasing female sex hormone levels.

A)androgyny
B)perimenopause
C)antemenopause
D)masculinization

Question 11

Starting at age 30 and continuing until death, the brain continually loses valuable neurons.This is an example of what kind of biological change?

A)irreversible change
B)age-related functional change
C)delayed onset change
D)progressive change

Question 12

The female climacteric is referred to as menopause, which is the:

A)cessation of egg production within the uterus.
B)proliferation of cancerous cell growth in the uterus.
C)cessation of menses, or regular shedding of the uterine lining.
D)gradual tightening and closing of the cervix.

Question 13

Declines in sensory functions (including hearing, vision, taste), as well as slower reaction speeds, are all examples of what type of biological change?

A)age-related anatomical and functional change
B)inevitable change
C)progressive change
D)master change

Question 14

The surgical procedure in which a woman's uterus is removed is a:

A)clitorectomy.
B)mastectomy.
C)hysterectomy.
D)tubal ligation.

Question 15

Although the characteristics associated with _____ aging cannot be delayed, to a large extent, we have control over age-related declines that are associated with _____ aging.

A)primary; secondary
B)progressive; inevitable
C)anatomical; delayed
D)inevitable; universal

Question 16

All living things begin to age at a certain point in time because:

A)cells speed up their replication.
B)cells lose their ability to replicate.
C)organ function slows down as the body produces fewer white blood cells.
D)faulty neurons in the brain begin to miscommunicate with vital organs

Question 17

Which long-term process of physiological change results in a gradual decline in both women and men's reproductive capabilities?

A)procreationism
B)conceptionism
C)climacteric
D)utertension

Question 18

A woman who has not had a menstrual period for ____ consecutive months is considered to be in menopause.

A)3
B)6
C)12
D)18

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of age-related anatomical and functional change?

A)decreased ability to fight off infection or disease
B)changes in vision
C)memory retention
D)All of the above are examples of age-related functional change.

Question 20

Lifestyle choices such as smoking, nutrition, exercise, sun exposure, and alcohol use are all strongly associated with how and when we experience _____ aging.

A)primary
B)secondary
C)tertiary
D)pseudo

Question 21

According to 2007 U.S.Census data, approximately _____ of people aged 65 and older are married.

A)one-quarter
B)one-third
C)one-half
D)three-quarters

Question 22

Which of the following changes is related to primary male aging?

A)Erections occur more slowly.
B)There is an increase in the length of the refractory period.
C)There is an inability to achieve or maintain an erection.
D)All of the above changes are related to primary male aging.

Question 23

Once women enter perimenopause, they lose ____ faster than men and younger women, which directly increases their risk of developing osteoporosis.

A)iron
B)zinc
C)calcium
D)potassium

Question 24

Women lose an average of _____ percent of their bone mass from the time of menopause to age 60.

A)10
B)25
C)50
D)75

Question 25

In terms of lubrication fluids, men in their 40s notice that:

A)unwanted seminal fluid ejaculation becomes more common.
B)the amount of seminal fluid nearly doubles.
C)the amount of seminal fluid decreases by about one-half.
D)there is no significant change in seminal fluid as they age.

Question 26

Older women are particularly at risk for developing _____, which occurs when the bones lose density, become more fragile, and are more likely to fracture.

A)Paget's disease
B)Osteogenesis
C)Osteoporosis
D)Crohn's disease

Question 27

As people age, they tend to define sexual satisfaction less by the _____ and more by the _____ of sexual activity.

A)quality; frequency
B)frequency; quality
C)spontaneity; intensity
D)intensity; stability

Question 28

Erectile dysfunction is the result of:

A)reduced gland swelling in the penis.
B)decreased sperm production volume during arousal.
C)reduced levels of testosterone concentration in the blood.
D)depressurized blood in the penis and reduced levels of cGMP.

Question 29

The decline of estrogen in menopause promotes vaginal atrophy, which refers to a condition where:

A)a lack of sufficient vaginal lubrication makes intercourse painful.
B)the lining of the vagina becomes thinner, making the walls less elastic.
C)the clitoris becomes smaller and more easily irritated.
D)skin temperature suddenly rises and a feeling of heat rushes to the face.

Question 30

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a controversial approach to mitigating the symptoms of menopause because it is associated with an increased risk of experiencing:

A)heart attack.
B)Dementia.
C)Stroke.
D)All of the above.

Question 31

As a woman ages, her monthly menstrual periods stop because:

A)there is not enough estrogen to thicken the uterine lining.
B)the uterus stops sending neuron signals to the brain.
C)blood cells within the uterine walls stop replicating.
D)the ovum become to weak to attach to the uterine wall.

Question 32

Given the primary health risks associated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), it is especially not recommended for men who have had what health condition?

A)hypothyroidism
B)hypertension
C)osteoporosis
D)melanoma

Question 33

During _____, males experience a decrease in the hormone testosterone.

A)menopause
B)andropause
C)fluctuation
D)puberty

Question 34

The reason that vaginal atrophy makes older women more susceptible to STIs is:

A)the vaginal lining is more likely to tear during intercourse.
B)the acidity of the vagina increases and creates a better environment for bacteria to thrive.
C)intercourse tends to last longer, providing more time for transmission to occur.
D)Vaginal atrophy produces all of the above conditions that increase susceptibility to STIs.

Question 35

According to 2007 U.S.Census data, approximately _____ of people aged 65 and older are widowed.

A)one-quarter
B)one-third
C)one-half
D)three-quarters

Question 36

In a _____ hysterectomy, the surgeon removes the woman's uterus, cervix, pelvic lymph nodes, upper third of the vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

A)subversive
B)radical
C)partial
D)total

Question 37

In addition to erectile dysfunction, another physical change aging men may experience is:

A)smaller, softer testes.
B)smaller, more tender penis.
C)increased seminal discharge.
D)increased length of time an erection can be maintained.

Question 38

Compared to younger men in their 20s, older men sometimes experience:

A)an extended length of "ejaculatory inevitability."
B)an increase in the frequency of unwanted erections.
C)shorter periods of erection ability.
D)more explosive ejaculations.

Question 39

Some religious groups celebrate menopause and female aging with a ritual known as:

A)croning.
B)dowry.
C)Brit Milah.
D)Kaparot.

Question 40

Steven Lamberts, physician and professor of internal medicine, promotes the idea that men experience a male climacteric known as:

A)menopause.
B)testapause.
C)paternapause.
D)andropause.

Question 41

One of the ancillary benefits of using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is that it tends to lower women's cholesterol levels.

Question 42

Waite's large-scale study of sexuality among older adults indicates that about _____ of men over age 57 masturbate.

A)one-tenth
B)one-fourth
C)one-half
D)three-fourths

Question 43

Which racial-ethnic group is the fastest growing subgroup within the U.S.elderly population?

A)Black
B)White
C)Hispanic
D)Native American

Question 44

Although women can take hormone replacement therapy drugs to manage the symptoms of menopause, there is no comparable treatment for men who experience andropause.

Question 45

Even though "hot flashes" make a woman feel warm, they have nothing to do with actual body temperature.

Question 46

Older people's particular susceptibility to STIs is exacerbated by which of the following situations?

A)The immune system is weaker and less effective in elder populations.
B)Older people are less likely to use a condom during sex.
C)Older people are not perceived as being at risk for STIs so they are less likely to be screened by a health care provider.
D)All of the above.

Question 47

As of 2009, over one-fourth of Americans infected with HIV were age 50 and over.

Question 48

In the last 100 years, average life expectancy has risen from 57 to 67 years old.

Question 49

The most common reason older men and women give for not having sex is:

A)decreased attraction to the partner's body.
B)overall decline in physical health.
C)anxiety about pleasing partner.
D)inability to achieve orgasm.

Question 50

Once a woman begins perimenopause, she can no longer become pregnant because she stops ovulating.

Question 51

Waite's research indicates that among women over age 57, over 50 percent of them have sex:

A)three times per week or more
B)once or twice per week or more
C)two or three times per month or more
D)once or twice every three months or so

Question 52

The most common treatment for erectile dysfunction today is to take a medication such as Viagra or Cialis.

Question 53

A recent AARP study of sexuality among middle-aged and older people reveals that approximately _____ of women polled believe that "a satisfying sex life is important to overall quality of life."

A)one tenth
B)one-fourth
C)one half
D)three-fourths

Question 54

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults are more likely to live alone than are heterosexual adults.

Question 55

During perimenopause, women begin to lose calcium at faster rates than normal, which greatly increases their risk of developing osteoporosis.

Question 56

The slang term, _____________, became popularized in the media when a few famous women over age 40 became intimately involved with much younger men.

A)leopard
B)cougar
C)hawk
D)owl

Question 57

Among the elderly, White males have the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections.

Question 58

Along with reduced sexual function, the decline in testosterone that occurs as men age is also associated with:

A)decline in muscle strength
B)decrease in bone density
C)mood alteration
D)all of the above

Question 59

According to the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, which group of people over age 40 has the lowest rate of STIs?

A)Black men
B)Black women
C)White women
D)White men

Question 60

Two recent studies indicate that _____ is the sexual activity of choice for older people most of the time.

A)oral sex
B)anal sex
C)vaginal sex
D)mutual masturbation

Question 61

One of the most persistent stereotypes associated with ageism is that older people are non-sexual beings.What aspects of American culture promote this belief?

Question 62

Research indicates that most women have a healthy attitude toward menopause.Identify three things that women in this stage of the life course feel are positive.

Question 63

Some experts note that since menopause is a normal, inevitable part of the aging process, it should not be treated as if it were an illness.Use this perspective to take a position opposing the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy for menopausal women.

Question 64

Physician Steve Lambert has introduced the notion that men experience a male climacteric (andropause) comparable to the female climacteric (menopause).Do you think it is useful to identify and categorize a set of normal physiological changes as a medical phenomenon? Why or why not? Even if these changes constitute a specific physiological event for older males, is it problematic to directly compare it to the female climacteric? Why or why not?

Question 65

Identify the most common risks associated with using testosterone replacement therapy.Which of these side effects are simply unpleasant, and which pose much more serious risks to men's overall health?

Question 66

Over one-fourth of those infected with HIV in the United States are aged 50 and older.What are the implications of this statistic given our knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the treatments currently available?
Essay:

Question 67

In addition to directly relieving some of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause, HRT appears to lower women's risk of developing three other health problems that are not specifically related to the reproductive system.What are they?

Question 68

Although many gay and lesbian people have loving, long-term relationships, gay and lesbian couples do encounter some problems as they age that most heterosexual couples do not.Identify some of these problems and explain why they develop.What would be the most effective way to address these problems?

Question 69

Social norms about selecting intimate partners clearly promote forming relationships between people of about the same age.When older women partner with young men, they are labeled "cougars." What does this stigmatizing term imply about women's sexuality?

Question 70

Because secondary aging is particularly impacted by lifestyle choices, individuals can minimize the physiological decline associated with aging by engaging in certain practices and avoiding others.Identify three of the most strongly recommended practices.

Question 71

Throughout the chapter, the author reminds the reader that members of the Baby Boom cohort are now entering older adulthood.What is unique about this cohort that is likely to influence how older people feel about, and experience, sexuality? In your answer, pay particular attention to the social conditions and historical events that have framed this cohort's attitudes and behavior.

Question 72

Assume you have been invited to the American Association of Retired People's annual conference to give a speech on aging, sexuality, and intimate relationships in the contemporary United States.Using the research results presented in your text, provide a profile of older Americans' sexual health.Overall, how would you characterize their situation? What factors appear to be most important in promoting healthy sexuality among older people? Which subgroups seem to have the most problems? What kinds of problems are they, and what could be done to address these issues?

Question 73

Describe the demographic characteristics of the elderly population; for example, how diverse are older Americans in terms of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and social class? How is the composition of the elderly population similar to, and different from, other age groups?

Question 74

Identify three reasons why STI screening is not generally a regular part of the preventive healthcare provided to older people in the United States.

Question 75

Research indicates that gay men are more likely than heterosexual men and lesbians to express more ageism and view the aging process negatively.What social conditions might explain this finding?