Development of Sexual Living Conditions through the Aging Process

Gero 410Jan 2011

Background Data

• The single most important determinant of sexual relations in old age is to have a regular and acceptable partner.

• Women over 60 are less likely than men to have such a partner and at 70 plus, less than 50% of women had a husband or regular partner.

• 4/5ths of Males 65-74 had a couple relationship, at 70 plus 57% of males and 41% of females were in a loving relationship

• At 70 + 4/5ths of males and only 1/10 of females were having intercourse once a week. ¼ of males and ½ of females had had no intercourse over the last year of the survey period.

Background Data

• Only 7% of men and 5% of women had experienced multiple partners and 50% of that number had only experienced 2 partners in a year’s period.

• Women in their 70’s enjoyed intercourse less, while 50% of women reported their sexual relations enjoyable and 37% of those achieved orgasm.

• At 60 50% of women and 15% of men reported a decrease in sexual desire.

• With regards to sexual function: 2/3rds of women and men reported no problems, whereas 1/3rd of men and 1/5th of women said that illness had disturbed their sexual life and that sexual activity declined with age.

Background Data

• Although sexual activity may decline there were few reports of declines in self-rated sexual attractiveness.

• Older men reported more liberal attitudes than women to sex without love and pornography in general

• At 70 2/3rds of men and ½ of women considered sex important for happiness in a relationship. Lack of desire was reported equally for males and females at 14 and 15% respectively

• After 40 years of a relationship, there was a decrease in sexual intercourse. Three reasons were cited: ED, lack of desire and illness

Background Data

• Illness as a factor was reported by 33% of males and 23% of females. In generally healthy couples, the figures dropped to 2 and 13%

• 59% of females in + 40 year old relationships reported a frequent lack of desire

• Critical factors to consider: In aging men-Self-esteem, good health, active and pleasant sexual history, frequent alcohol use, and a belief that sex was important in couple relationships. In aging women-a positive value towards sex in couple relationships, a satisfactory sexual life and history, a healthy partner and a positive level of sexual desire.

Background Data

• The number of 60 + in the population is estimated to grow by 50% over the next 30 years and for women 1/3 rd of their lives will be spent post-menopause.

• To sustain and maintain a healthy active sexual life the challenge will be to address some of the following issues-declining desire, boredom, loveless relationships, serious and persistent physical illness and disability, mental health issues, institutionalization, and choice and availability of appropriate partners.