Rompiendo mitos sobre los derechos sexuales de las personas mayores: una revisión narrativa de la literatura

Breaking Myths About the Sexual Rights of Older Adults: A Narrative Literature Review

Autores/as

  • Johan Sebastián Villada Gómez Universidad de Caldas
  • Diana Carolina Ocampo Muñoz Universidad de Caldas
  • Diana Paola Betancurth Loaiza Universidad de Caldas
  • Lorena Gómez Giraldo Universidad de Caldas
  • Juan Andrés Arango Londoño Universidad de Caldas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8684-4858

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30854/anf.1261

Palabras clave:

adultos mayores, sexualidad, derechos sexuales y reproductivos, política de salud, (obtenidos del Tesauro DeSC/MeSH)

Resumen

Objetivo: analizar la literatura sobre la promoción y garantía de los derechos sexuales de las personas mayores desde un enfoque de género, intercultural e interseccional. Metodología: se realizó una revisión exploratoria integradora en cinco etapas: 1) identificación del problema a partir de la pregunta SPIDER, 2) búsqueda bibliográfica según el diagrama de flujo PRISMA, 3) evaluación de la calidad de los estudios utilizando SANRA, 4) análisis utilizando el software Atlas.ti y 5) presentación de los resultados. Resultados: a partir de 47 artículos seleccionados surgieron tres categorías: 1) elementos estructurales y del sistema de salud relacionados con el acceso a los servicios, la capacitación médica y las políticas sanitarias sobre la sexualidad en la vejez. 2) elementos sociales y culturales relacionados con normas, tabúes y estigmatización y 3) elementos individuales centrados en factores personales como creencias, experiencias y estado de salud física y mental. Conclusiones: para abordar la sexualidad en las personas mayores, es fundamental eliminar los prejuicios y  estigmas del envejecimiento. La garantía de los derechos sexuales en esta etapa de la vida exige sistemas de salud inclusivos con políticas de educación, prevención y diversidad. La implementación de un enfoque de género, intercultural e interseccional es crucial para promover un desarrollo digno y saludable. 

Descargas

Los datos de descarga aún no están disponibles.

Biografía del autor/a

  • Johan Sebastián Villada Gómez, Universidad de Caldas

    Médico. Especialista en Medicina Interna y Geriatría. Especialista en Epidemiología. Docente departamento clínico de la  Universidad de Caldas

  • Diana Carolina Ocampo Muñoz, Universidad de Caldas

    Médica. Especialista en sexología clínica. Docente del departamento de salud mental de la Universidad de Caldas.

  • Diana Paola Betancurth Loaiza, Universidad de Caldas

    Doctora en Salud Pública; Magíster en Investigación en Atención Primaria en Salud (APS) y en Enfermería con énfasis en Salud Familiar; Especialista en Promoción de la Salud y Administración en Salud; Enfermera. Docente del departamento de Salud Pública de la Universidad de Caldas 

  • Lorena Gómez Giraldo, Universidad de Caldas

    Magíster en Gestión de la Calidad en Salud; Especialista en Auditoría en salud de la Universidad Autónoma de Manizales; Enfermera. Docente del departamento de Salud Pública de la Universidad de Caldas 

  • Juan Andrés Arango Londoño, Universidad de Caldas

    Antropólogo. Universidad de Caldas

Referencias

Aboderin, I. (2014). Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Older Men and Women: Addressing a Policy Blind Spot. Global Public Health, 22(44), 185-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0968-8080(14)44814-6

Baethge, C., Goldbeck-Wood, S., & Mertens, S. (2019). SANRA—A Scale for the Quality Assessment of Narrative Review Articles. Research Integrity Peer Rev, 4(5), 1-7.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41073-019-0064-8

Benítez, J., Camero, J., Cuello, J., & Curbelo, J. (2023). Caracterización de la vida sexual de adultos mayores de un área de salud. Medisur, 21(1), 50-61. https://medisur.sld.cu/index.php/medisur/article/view/5524/3962

Boyacıoğlu, N., Oflaz, F., Karaahmet, A., Hodaeı, B., Afşin, Y., & Taşabat, S. (2023). Sexuality, Quality of Life and Psychological Well-Being in Older Adults: A Correlational Study. European Journal of Obstetrics &

Gynecology and Reproductive Biology X, 17, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurox.2023.100177

Brennan-Ing, M., Seidel, L., Ansell, P., Raik, B., Greenberg, D., Nicastri, C., Breznay, J., Karpiak, S., & Adelman, R. (2018). Addressing Sexual Health in Geriatrics Education. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, 39(2), 249-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2017.1340885

Buczak-Stec, E., König, H., & Hajek, A. (2021). Sexual Satisfaction of Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Longitudinal Findings from a Nationally Representative Sample. Age and Ageing, 50(2), 559-564. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaa161

Centro Latinoamericano y Caribeño de Demografía (CELADE). (2024). Estadísticas e Indicadores: Demográficos y sociales. https://statistics.cepal.org/portal/cepalstat/dashboard.html?theme=1&lang=es

Chung, H., Kim, G., Shin, M., & Park, K. (2020). Physical Intimacy Is an Important Part of Sexual Activities: Korean Older Adults Study. Sexual Medicine, 8(4), 643-649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2020.06.011

Cismaru, A., Hahaut, B., Adam, S., Nobels, A., Beaulieu, M., Vandeviver, C., & Pieters, G. (2022). Sexual Activity and Physical Tenderness in Older Adults: Prevalence and Associated Characteristics from a Belgian Study. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 19(4), 569-580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.01.516

Crema, I., & Tilio, R. (2021). Gênero e sexualidade nas relações íntimas: Significados e experiências de idosas. Psicologia: Teoria e Prática, 23(2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.5935/1980-6906/ePTPSP12948

Crockett, C., & Cooper, B. (2016). Gender Norms as Health Harms: Reclaiming a Life Course Perspective on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Reproductive Health Matters, 24(48), 6-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2016.11.003

Dalmer, N., & Marshall, B. (2023). The Role of Information in Later-Life Sexuality: An Invitation for Further Exploration. The Gerontologist, 63(2), 210-217. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnac059

Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE). (2022). Personas mayores en Colombia: Nota estadística, octubre 2022. https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/notas-estadisticas/oct-2022-nota-estadisticapersonas-mayores-en-colombia.pdf

Emerson, A., Valleroy, E., Knittel, A., & Ramaswamy, M. (2023). Sex and Aging: Perspectives of Older Adult Women with Experience of Incarceration. Journal of Women & Aging, 35(5), 487-503. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2023.2180246

Ezhova, I., Savidge, L., Bonnett, C., Cassidy, J., Okwuokei, A., & Dickinson, T. (2020). Barriers to Older Adults Seeking Sexual Health Advice and Treatment: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 107, 1-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103566

Fileborn, B., Lyons, A., Hinchliff, S., Brown, G., Heywood, W., Dow, B., & Melbourne, S. (2017). Improving the Sexual Lives of Older Australians: Perspectives from a Qualitative Study. Australas Journal Ageing, 36(4), 36-42. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12405

Flesia, L., Monaro, M., Jannini, E., Limoncin, E. (2023). "I'm Too Old for That": The Role of Ageism and Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs in Sexual Health in a Sample of Heterosexual and LGB Older Adults: A Pilot

Study. Healthcare, 11(4), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11040459

Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. (2023). Blueprint for Future Research Advancing the Study of Sexuality, Gender, and Equity in Later Life: Lessons Learned from Aging With Pride, The National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (NHAS). The Gerontologist, 63(2), 373-381. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnac146

Fredriksen-Goldsen, K., Jen, S., Emlet, C., Kim, H., & Jung, H. (2023). Key Determinants of Physical and Psychological Health-Related Quality of Life Over Time Among Midlife and Older LGBTQ and Sexual and

Gender-Diverse Caregivers. The Gerontologist, 63(4), 751-761. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnac100

Gewirtz-Meydan, A., Levkovich, I., Mock, M., Gur, U., Karkabi, K., & Ayalon, L. (2020). Sex for Seniors: How Physicians Discuss Older Adult's Sexuality. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, 9(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-020-00366-5

Guadarrama, R., Ortiz, M., Moreno, Y., & González, A. (2010). Características de la actividad sexual de los adultos mayores y su relación con su calidad de vida. Revista de Especialidades Médico-Quirúrgicas, 15(2), 72-79. https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=47313840005

Henning-Smith, C., Gonzales, G., & Shippee, T. (2015). Differences by Sexual Orientation in Expectations About Future Long-Term Care Needs Among Adults 40 To 65 Years Old. American Journal of Public Health, 105(11), 2359-2365. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302781

Horne, M., Youell, J., Brown, L., Brown-Wilson, C., Dickinson, T., & Simpson, P. (2022). Feasibility and Acceptability of an Education and Training E-Resource to Support the Sexuality, Intimacy and Relationship Needs of Older Care Home Residents: A Mixed Methods Study. Age and Ageing,

51(10), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afac221

Hughes, A., Rostant, O., & Pelon, S. (2015). Sexual Problems Among Older Women by Age and Race. Journal of Women's Health, 24(8), 663-669. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2014.5010

Jung, H., Kim, H., & Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. (2023). Identifying Latent Patterns and Predictors of Health Behaviors and Healthcare Barriers Among LGBT Older Adults. Prevention Science, 24(6), 1115-1127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-023-01526-5

Khan, J., Greaves, E., Tanton, C., Kuper, H., Shakespeare, T., Kpokiri, E., Wang, Y., Ong, J., Day, S., Pan, S. W., Tang, W., Wang, B., Peng, X., Liang, B., Zou, H., Tucker, J., & Wu, D. (2023). Sexual Behaviours and Sexual Health Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Britain. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 99(3), 173-179. https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2022-055420

Kittle, K., Boerner, K., Kim, K., & Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. (2023). The Role of Contextual Factors in the Health Care Utilization of Aging LGBT adults. The Gerontologist, 63(4), 741-750. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnac137

Kolodziejczak, K., Rosada, A., Drewelies, J., Düzel, S., Eibich, P., Tegeler, C., Wagner, G., Beier, K., Ram, N., Demuth, I., Steinhagen-Thiessen, E., & Gerstorf, D. (2019). Sexual Activity, Sexual Thoughts, and Intimacy Among Older Adults: Links with Physical Health and Psychosocial Resources for Successful Aging. Psychology and Aging, 34(3), 389-404. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000347

Laganá, L., Balian, O., Nakhla, M., Zizumbo, J., & Greenberg, S. (2021). A Preliminary Model of Health Regarding Sexual and Ethnic Minority Older Adults. Culture, Health, and Sexuality, 23(3), 333-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2019.1710566

Lee, J., Kim, H., & Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. (2019). The Role of Immigration in the Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults in the United States. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 89(1), 3-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091415019842844

Lee, D., Nazroo, J., O'Connor, D., Blake, M., & Pendleton, N. (2016). Sexual Health and Well-Being Among Older Men and Women in England: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(1), 133-144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0395-9

Li, T., Luo, Y., Meng, Y., Yue, J., Nie, M., Fan, L., & Tong, C. (2022). Sexual Activity and Related Factors of Older Women in Hunan, China: A Cross-Sectional Study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 19(2), 302-310.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2021.10.007

Lyons, A., Alba, B., Waling, A., Minichiello, V., Hughes, M., Barrett, C., & Rasmussen, M. (2021). Comfort Among Older Lesbian and Gay People in Disclosing Their Sexual Orientation to Health and Aged Care

Services. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 40(2), 132-141. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464820925330

Macleod, A., Busija, L., & McCabe, M. (2020). Mapping the Perceived Sexuality of Heterosexual Men and Women in Mid- and Later Life: A Mixed-Methods Study. Sexual Medicine, 8(1), 84-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2019.10.001

Manterola, C., Rivadeneira, J., Delgado, H., Sotelo, C., & Otzen, T. (2023). ¿Cuántos tipos de revisiones de la literatura existen? Enumeración, descripción y clasificación. Revisión cualitativa. International Journal of Morphology, 17(4), 1240-1253. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-95022023000401240

McAuliffe, L., Fetherstonhaugh, D., & Bauer, M. (2020). Sexuality and Sexual Health: Policy in Australian Residential Aged Care. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 39(S1), 59-64. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12602

McKay, T., Akré, E., Henne, J., Kari, N., Conway, A., & Gothelf, I. (2022). LGBTQ+ Affirming Care May Increase Awareness and Understanding of Undetectable = Untransmittable Among Midlife and Older Gay and Bisexual Men in the US South. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710534

Medina, I., Medina, J., Torres, R., Sosa, R., Chale, G., & Chaparro, L. (2021). Actitudes hacia la vejez y actitudes hacia la sexualidad del adulto mayor en estudiantes y profesionales de enfermería. Gerokomos, 32(1), 17-21. https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/s1134-928x2021000100005

Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social. (2016). Encuesta SABE Colombia: Situación de Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento en Colombia. https://www.minsalud.gov.co/sites/rid/lists/bibliotecaDigital/RIDE/VS/ED/GCFI/Resumenejecutivo-

encuesta-SABE.pdf

Moghasemi, S., Ozgoli, G., Simbar, M., & Nasiri, M. (2018). Middle-aged Iranian Women's Accounts of Their Sexual Health Care Practices: A Conventional Content Analysis. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 44(3), 91-99. https://doi.org/10.1363/44e6718.

Nazroo, J. (2017). Class and Health Inequality in Later Life: Patterns, Mechanisms and Implications for Policy. International Journal of Environment Research in Public Health, 14(12), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14121533

Organization of American States (OAS). (2015). Inter-American Convention on Protecting the Human Rights of Older Persons. https://www.oas.org/en/sla/dil/inter_american_treaties_A70_human_rights_older_persons.asp

Portellos, A., Lynch, C., & Joosten, A. (2023). Sexuality and Ageing: A Mixed Methods Explorative Study of Older Adults’ Experiences, Attitudes, and Support Needs. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 86(7), 515-526. https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226231164277

Ports, K., Barnack-Tavlaris, J., Syme, M., Perera, R., & Lafata, J. (2014). Sexual Health Discussions with Older Adult Patients During Periodic Health Exams. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11(4), 901-908. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657130/

Programa de Atención Médica Integral (PAMI). (2023). Guía de Educación Sexual Integral para personas mayores. https://www.algec.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GUIA-ESI-para-PM.pdf

Roney, L., & Kazer, M. (2015). Geriatric Sexual Experiences: The Seniors Tell All. Applied Nursing Research, 28(3), 254-256. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0897189715000907?via%3Dihub

Rowntree, M., & Zufferey, C. (2015). Need or Right: Sexual Expression and Intimacy in Aged Care. Journal of Aging Studies, 35, 20-25. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0890406515000791?via%3Dihub

Ruiz, F., Cifuentes, Á., Devía, C., Alfonso, M., Alegría, A., & Vera, C. (2023). Percepciones y experiencias de adultos mayores sobre sexualidad y servicios de salud sexual en Colombia. Revista UIS Salud, 55(1), 1-10. https://revistas. uis.edu.co/index.php/revistasaluduis/article/view/12737

Rutagumirwa, S., & Bailey, A. (2018). “The Heart Desires but the Body Refuses”: Sexual Scripts, Older Men’s Perceptions of Sexuality, and Implications for Their Mental and Sexual Health. Sex Roles, 78(9-10), 653-668. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-017-0822-3

Schaller, S., Traeen, B., Lundin, Kvalem, I. (2020). Barriers and Facilitating Factors in Help-Seeking: A Qualitative Study on How Older Adults Experience Talking About Sexual Issues with Healthcare Personnel. International Journal of Sexual Health, 32(2), 65-80. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19317611.2020.1745348

Smith, L., Yang, L., Veronese, N., Soysal, P., Stubbs, B., & Jackson, S. (2019). Sexual Activity is Associated with Greater Enjoyment of Life in Older Adults. Sexual Medicine, 7(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2018.11.001

Stowell, M., Hall, A., Warwick, S., Richmond, C., Eastaugh, C., Hanratty, B., McDermott, J., Craig, D., Spiers, G. (2023). Promoting Sexual Health in Older Adults: Findings from Two Rapid Reviews. Maturitas, 177, 1-9.

https://doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.107795

Souza, C., Gomes, V., Silva, R., Santos, E., Alves, J., Santos, N., et al. (2019). Aging, Sexuality and Nursing Care: The Elderly Woman’s Look. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 72(2), 71-78. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0015

Stentagg, M., Skär, L., Berglund, J., & Lindberg, T. (2021). Cross-Sectional Study of Sexual Activity and Satisfaction Among Older Adults ≥60 Years of Age. Sexual Medicine, 9(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2020.100316

Suen, Y. (2022). Ageing Non-Heterosexual Migrants: Towards Global Sexual Citizenship. Journal of Aging Studies, 60, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2021.100980

Syme, M., & Cohn, T. (2021). Aging Sexual Stereotypes and Sexual Expression in Mid- and Later Life: Examining the Stereotype Matching Effect. Aging and Mental Health, 25(8), 1507-1514. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2020.1758909

Thames, A., Hammond, A., Nunez, R., Mahmood, Z., Jones, F., Carter, S., Bilder, R. M., Fisher, S., Bivens-Davis, T., & Jones, L. (2018). Sexual Health Behavior and Mental Health Among Older African American Women: The Sistahs,Sexuality, and Mental Health Well-Being Project. Journal of Womens Health (Larchmt), 27(9), 1177-1185. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2017.6784

Towler, L., Graham, C., Bishop, F., & Hinchliff, S. (2021). Older Adults’ Embodied Experiences of Aging and their Perceptions of Societal Stigmas Toward Sexuality in Later Life. Social Science & Medicine, 287, 1-13. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953621006870

United Nations. (1995). Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/pdf/Beijing%20full%20report%20E.pdf

United Nations. (2022). World Population Prospects 2022: Summary of Results. https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/wpp2022_summary_of_results.pdf

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). (2013). Human Rights Principles. https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/Human%20Rights%20English%20Web.pdf

United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (UN DESA). (2024). World Population Prospects 2024: Summary of results. https://population.un.org/wpp/

Villar, F., Serrat, R., Celdrán, M., Fabà, J., Martínez, T., & Twisk, J. (2020). ‘I Do It My Way’: Long-Term Care Staff ’s Perceptions of Residents’ Sexual Needs and Suggestions for Improvement in their Management. European Journal of Ageing, 17(2), 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-019-00529-2

von Humboldt, S., Carneiro, F., & Leal, I. (2021). Older Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults: What Predicts Adjustment to Aging? Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 18(4), 1042-1048. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13178-020-00514-5

Wang, V., Depp, C., Ceglowski, J., Thompson, W., Rock, D., Jeste, D. (2015). Sexual Health and Function in Later Life: A Population-Based Study of 606 Older Adults with a Partner. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(3), 227-233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2014.03.006

Weßel, M., & Schweda, M. (2023). Recognizing the Diverse Faces of Later Life: Old Age as a Category of Intersectional Analysis in Medical Ethics. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 48(1), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmp/jhac038

Whittemore, R., & Knafl, K. (2005). The Integrative Review: Updated Methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52(5), 546-553. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03621.x

World Health Organization (WHO). (2006). Defining Sexual Health: Report of a Technical Consultation on Sexual Health, 28–31 January 2002, Geneva. https://www3.paho.org/hq/dmdocuments/2009/defining_sexual_health.pdf

World Medical Association. (2024). Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Participants. https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki/

Publicado

2026-07-01

Cómo citar

Rompiendo mitos sobre los derechos sexuales de las personas mayores: una revisión narrativa de la literatura: Breaking Myths About the Sexual Rights of Older Adults: A Narrative Literature Review. (2026). ÁNFORA, 33(61), 239-270. https://doi.org/10.30854/anf.1261
Estadísticas
Resúmenes 0
Archivo 0