Aging & Health A to Z

Sexual Health

Basic Facts & Information

All adults, including older people, should have the opportunity to enjoy a satisfying and fulfilling sex life. In fact, most of them do, even if interest in sex and sexual activity declines to some extent with increasing age. This decline occurs in both men and women, and is normal. Knowing how your sexual response and feelings change, and how to enjoy your sex life despite these changes, is part of healthy aging.

As we age, our bodies undergo changes that may hinder the rewarding sex life enjoyed until this time. For example, hormone levels decrease, medical conditions may affect sexual performance, chronic pain may get in the way, and surgery can have a severe impact on sexual response. Also, some medications to treat illnesses may themselves cause sexual difficulties.

Unfortunately, you may feel uncomfortable reporting sexual problems to your healthcare provider. This is not uncommon, especially for older women. But satisfying sexual intimacy is an important and rewarding aspect of healthy aging, and treatment can often help.

What are Sexual Problems?

You may notice problems emerging in your sex life relating to:

• sexual performance
• reduced arousal
• pain during sex
• general lack of interest
• loss of orgasm
• worry or anxiety that interferes with sex
• reduced frequency of sex
• physical obstacles arising from a disease or health condition. 

The Most Common Types of Sexual Problems in Older Adults

For women, age-related changes due to menopause include:

• lack of interest
• difficulty with lubrication
• inability to reach a climax (orgasm)
• lack of pleasure
• reduced sensation
• pain during intercourse. 

Discomfort from a medical condition such as a urinary tract infection or arthritis may prevent carefree enjoyment of the experience.  Also, some women may be influenced by cultural pressures that do not encourage sexuality in older women. Depression and relationship difficulties may also inhibit the ability to enjoy sex. 

For men, the most common sexual problem is erectile dysfunction or ED (impotence). The chance of suffering from ED increases with age. ED is defined as an inability to maintain enough of an erection to carry out sexual intercourse. 

How Common are Sexual Problems in Older Adults?

Researchers have found that about half of sexually active women between the ages of 75-85 years report lack of interest in the experience. For more than four out of ten older women, reduced lubrication is a problem. Almost four out of ten women are unable to reach a climax, and a quarter report no pleasure from their sexual activity. About one out of 10 older women have pain during intercourse. 

The prevalence of ED, by far the most common sexual difficulty in men, increases with age. Nearly 75% of men have experienced impotence at some time by the age of 70 years. Also, older men take part in sexual activity much more rarely than they did when they were younger. While young men normally engage in sex 3-4 times per week, only 7% of men in their 60s and only 2% of men over age 70 report having sex this often. After the age of 80, only 15-25% of men engage in sex.

Updated: May 2012
Posted:  May 2012