Declining Health in Older Adults Affects Sexual Satisfaction

A study published in PLOS One examined how health, lifestyle, and relationship factors can impact sexual activity and satisfaction in later life, reports Psych Central . Out of nearly 3,500 surveyed people between 55 and 74, one in four men and one in six women had a health problem that affected their sex life. Among this group, women were less likely than men to be sexually active in the previous six months, but just as likely to be satisfied with their sex life. Moreover, some older adults found it difficult to differentiate the problems of declining health from those of increasing age. Sickness influenced whether individuals had a partner with whom to have sexual relations, and some were more accepting of not having a sex life than others. For those in a relationship, sexual satisfaction was strongly linked with both the quality of communication with their partner and contentment with their relationship. "We identified that not many people who reported experiencing problems or lack of satisfaction sought help," noted London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Professor Bob Erens. "Although this could be an individual choice or because of a perceived lack of support, it is vital that individuals feel able to make enquiries with healthcare professionals. In particular, discussing problems can often lead to identification of underlying medical conditions."