Call for papers - Sexual health and aging: overcoming stigmas and addressing healthcare needs

Guest Editors

Priscila Assis Campos Vasconcelos, PhD, University of Porto, Portugal
Feliciano Villar, PhD, University of Barcelona, Spain

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 3 April 2025

BMC Geriatrics is inviting submissions to our Collection on Sexual health in aging.
We invite submissions that examine the factors influencing geriatric sexual health, interventions to promote sexual well-being in older age, and the role of healthcare providers in addressing the sexual needs of aging populations.

Sexual health in older adults is a complex aspect of geriatric care that is often overlooked. Older adults can face unique issues related to sexual health; barriers can include societal stigmas towards sex and sexuality, inadequate access to healthcare resources and information promoting sexual health, as well as age-related changes that can impact sexual function and satisfaction.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Priscila Assis Campos Vasconcelos, PhD, University of Porto, Portugal

Priscila Vasconcelos holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from the University of Porto in Portugal, with a thesis Growing Older, Loving Wiser: An Exploration of Biopsychosocial Determinants of Sexual Well-being in Older Age and Their Influence on Quality of Life, funded by national public funds. Dr Vasconcelos is member of the Human Sexuality and Gender Research Group at the University of Porto's Center for Psychology and student member of the International Academy of Sex Research (IASR).

Feliciano Villar, PhD, University of Barcelona, Spain

Feliciano Villar is a Developmental Psychology professor at the University of Barcelona, where he coordinates a Master's degree on Psychogerontology. His interest is focused on developmental issues regarding aging and later life. He has headed several research projects aimed at exploring the role of sexuality in later life and the management of sexual expressions in long-term care facilities, including sexual needs of persons living with dementia and the maintenance of sexual rights of LGBT older people.

About the Collection

BMC Geriatrics is inviting submissions to our Collection on Sexual health in aging.

Defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “…a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity”, sexual health is vital to the overall health and well-being of individuals. Sexual health in older adults is a complex aspect of geriatric care that is often overlooked. Older adults can face unique issues related to sexual health; barriers can include societal stigmas towards sex and sexuality, inadequate access to healthcare resources and information promoting sexual health, as well as age-related changes that can impact sexual function and satisfaction.

We invite submissions that examine the factors influencing geriatric sexual health, interventions to promote sexual well-being in older age, and the role of healthcare providers in addressing the sexual needs of aging populations. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

Understanding the impact of aging on sexual function, desire, and satisfaction
Examining the role of societal attitudes and stigmas in shaping sexual health behaviors and experiences in older adults
Identifying barriers to sexual healthcare access and utilization among older populations
Exploring effective interventions for promoting sexual well-being in older age
Investigating the intersection between sexual health and mental health, chronic illnesses, medications, and lifestyle factors in older adults
Communication about sex and sexuality in older adults

By fostering research and an open dialogue on sexual health in older adults, this Collection aims to challenge stereotypes, promote inclusivity, and advocate for comprehensive health care that addresses the diverse needs of older adults.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Sexual health and aging: overcoming stigmas and addressing healthcare needs" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.