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Today's seniors not too old for sex
Think sex is just for younger people? A survey on sexual attitudes
and behaviors in Baby Boomers and seniors may just prove you
wrong.
In a report on the sex lives of American adults aged 45 and older,
84% either disagreed or strongly disagreed that sex is only for
younger people. And participants were putting their beliefs into
actions, with 86% reporting that they had engaged in sexual
activity of some form - from kissing or hugging to intercourse -
within the last six months.
The findings are part of a survey released by AARP, a U.S.
nonprofit group geared toward enhancing the lives of people over
the age of 50. Nearly 1,700 American adults participated in the
study, entitled Sexuality at Midlife and Beyond. The survey, which
was conducted via telephone and mail, is an update to a similar
study that was released in 1999. Researchers found some marked
differences.
In a phrase -- my, how times have changed. When the original
survey took place, the erectile dysfunction medication Viagra®
had just hit the market (followed later by Levitra® and Cialis®),
bringing with it an increased awareness of the sexual issues
facing older adults.
"If I could highlight one significant change, it would be the
greater willingness of midlife and older adults to discuss sex as
a health issue with their health professionals," writes AARP
research director Linda Fisher in a news release.
"Professionals have long known that sexual dysfunction is not
only a major problem for relationships and mental health, but can
be a marker of life-threatening physical health issues, especially
heart disease."
In 1999, 26% of participants said they consulted their health care
professional for sexual information, while books were the top
source for those looking for answers to their concerns. Today,
talking to a doctor or other health professional ranked first with
37% of the vote, while books came in second at 30%. The latest
survey also found a greater openness to using sex-enhancing
medications, with more than double the number of men (22% compared
to 10% in 1999) reporting that they used some kind of medication,
hormones, or another treatment to combat problems with sexual
performance.
Those medications aren't benefiting men alone. Noted AARP The
Magazine editor Hugh Delehanty, "Women are pleased with their
mates' newfound ardor, debunking the stereotype that older women
aren't welcoming of intimate and sexual relationships."
Of those who participated in the survey, two thirds were married
or living with a partner, or had a regular sexual partner, and
most had been in these relationships for at least 10 years. Four
per cent of the men and 1% of the women had same-sex partners.
Whatever their relationship status, compared to the earlier
survey, participants were overall more likely to agree or strongly
agree that sex is a critical part of a good relationship (60% vs.
55% in 1999). As for how sex affects life in general, half of the
participants said it's important to their overall quality of life.
"Many believe that sexuality is the exclusive province of the
young. But this AARP study makes clear that, even as we age,
sexual health continues to be important to our general
health," wrote former U.S. surgeon general Dr. David Satcher
in a news release.
So how exactly do these attitudes translate into sexual
fulfillment? Well, 63% of participants reported that they were
"extremely satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied"
with their sex lives. On the flip side, nearly a third ranked
their own somewhere between "yawn" and bloody
awful". But when asked what could be done to improve their
sex lives, the Number 1 answer was better health, ranked above a
better relationship, a more adventurous or younger partner, more
privacy, and more free time.
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