Sexuality in later life is widely believed to be non-existent, but this study proves that elderly individuals do enjoy active sex life if their health permits. The aging process can hamper active sexual life in both men and women. However, it need not be a rule that aging retards enjoyment.

Women are reported to enjoy sex lives, as they grow older. According to the U.S. National Institute on Aging, women seem to enjoy sex after menopause or a hysterectomy, since they may no longer fear an unwanted pregnancy.

In men, the common problem encountered with aging is impotence with 15 to 25 percent cases by the time they reach 65 years of age. Most of the cases are triggered by the presence of conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes or the medicines used to treat them.

According to the National Institute of Aging, normal aging brings physical changes in both men and women. These changes sometimes affect one’s ability to have and enjoy sex with another person.

However the present study, which is the first comprehensive one to examine sexual attitudes, behaviors and problems of U.S adults aged 57 or older finds that people need not avoid sex simply because they are getting on in age.

Researchers at the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) of the University of Chicago interviewed 3,005 aged 57 to 85. Among them there were 1,550 women and 1,455 men. All participants were interviewed at their homes.

Over three quarters of the individuals approached by the researchers agreed to participate in the study and were quite candid and forthcoming about their intimate lives.

The major findings of the study, appearing in the August 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine are as follows:
* 73 percent of respondents aged 57 to 64 said they had active sex lives
* 53 percent among those aged 65 to 74 reported being sexually active in the last 12 months
* 26 percent among those aged 75 to 85 said they had sex at least once in the last year
* Overall sexual activity did not abate as people aged, but it faded away with advancing years
* Women were less likely to be sexually active than men
* 35 percent of women felt sex was not important as they aged
* 78 percent of men aged 75 to 85 had an ongoing intimate relationship, while only 40 percent of women in this age group reported being sexually active

However the study noted that elderly people had sexual problems as they aged. Among the participants at least 50 percent reported having sexual issues.
* 43 percent of women seemed to have no desire at all
* 39 percent reported vaginal dryness
* 34 percent said they were unable to climax
* Among men 37 percent said they had erectile dysfunction
* 14 percent said they used medications to enhance sexual performance.

Edward Laumann, co-author of the study said that sexual activity was mainly related to other health issues and not only aging. "Sexual health, when it begins to deteriorate, may be an important warning sign, because it may be an early warning sign of more profound health problems." he added.

Laumann was the lead researcher in a previous study that surveyed about 27,500 people in 29 countries aged between 40 to 80 years and included 13,882 women and 13,618 men. The study, titled "Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors", included participants who were at least 40 years old.

Reporting in the April 2006 issue of the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, Laumann and colleagues had said gender parity between men and women in Western countries plays a role in influencing sexual lifestyle in elderly people.

The study had also found that men rated their sexual well being higher than women regardless of their location and cultural background.

The same findings appear to hold true in the current study as well. Researchers led by Dr. Stacy Tesser Lindau, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and of medicine-geriatrics at the University of Chicago, said that sexual issues were widely prevalent, but were rarely discussed with a doctor.

Only 38 percent of men and 22 percent of women said they had talked about their problems with a healthcare professional. However many individuals used oral sex and masturbation as an alternative if they were unable to have vaginal intercourse, the study said.

Writing in an accompanying editorial John H.J. Bancroft of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University in Bloomington said older people must be encouraged "to feel comfortable in discussing sexual problems and in choosing whichever of these two options suits them best."

More often than not it is the physical shortcomings like health issues or diseases that affect an elderly person's ability to maintain an active sex life.

Conditions like arthritis, chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, incontinence and stroke also affect the ability of an individual to enjoy a good sexual life as they age. But adopting healthy lifestyle practices including getting adequate exercise, eating good food, drinking plenty of fluids like water or juices, and avoiding smoking and alcohol ensure that an individual can lead a happy and active sex life even as they age.

For more information on sexuality and aging, visit http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/sexuality.asp