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Study Sheds New Light on the Sexual Lives of Seniors
By
Michael A. Piekarz
Spectrum Staff
Despite
some bothersome sexual problems, many older Americans are sexually
active and view intimacy as an important part of their lives, according
to a study supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH).
The findings from the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project shed new
light on the intimate social relationships and health of people ages 57 to 85.
These findings will be used to inform healthcare providers and patients about
sexual norms in the older U.S. population.
The project is the first comprehensive, nationally representative survey to assess
the prevalence of sexual activity, behaviors and problems in relation to health
status among people in their late 50s and beyond.
“Despite the aging of the population, little has been known about the intimate
lives of older adults,” said NIA director Richard J. Hodes, M.D. “This
study expands our knowledge by reporting, on a national scale, data about sexual
functioning and health among older adults.”
The study provides information about a number of important aspects of health
and sexuality with age, including sexual problems in relation to specific chronic
health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and hypertension; relationships
between physical health problems or limitations generally and sexual activity;
and physician communication about sexuality at older ages.
Stacy Tessler Lindau, M.D., who conducted the study with Linda Waite, Ph.D.,
and others at the University of Chicago, expects the study to help open a dialogue
between older patients and their doctors as older Americans were very receptive
to the survey and its questions. This openness suggests that, when asked, many
older people want to talk about this part of their lives.
“We found, despite the high prevalence of problems, that most older adults
have never discussed sex with a physician. From a medical and a public health
perspective, we have an opportunity and an obligation to do better patient education
and counseling about health-related and potentially preventable and treatable
sexual problems,” said Dr. Lindau.
The researchers found that physical health was more strongly associated with
many sexual problems than age. The study has implications for health education
efforts to prevent sexually-transmitted diseases in older people.
The researchers gathered information from a nationally representative sample
of 3,005 men and women ages 57 to 85 years, asking about each person’s
marital or other relationship status, frequency and types of sexual activity
during the past 12 months, physical health and communication with a physician
about sex. Survey respondents were also asked about sexual problems.
“This study breaks new ground in social and behavioral research,” said
Richard Suzman, Ph.D., director of the National Institute on Aging Behavioral
and Social Research Program.
“Its portrait of this aspect of older Americans’ lives suggests a
previously uncharacterized vitality and interest in sexuality that carries well
into advanced age, which perhaps has not been appreciated as an important part
of late life.”
About half of the men and women who responded to the survey reported at least
one sexual problem, and about one-third report at least two problems. In general,
older adults are sexually active. Women were significantly less likely to report
sexual activity than older men and less likely to be in intimate relationships,
due in part to women’s status as widows and the earlier mortality, on average,
of men.
Healthier people are more likely to report being sexually active. Diabetes and
hypertension were strongly associated with some sexual concerns. About half of
sexually active older adults report at least one “bothersome” sexual
problem.
The study found that most older adults have not discussed sex with their doctors.
Despite the high prevalence of sexual problems, less than one-third of all men
and under one-quarter of all women said they had discussed sex with a physician
since age 50.
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Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
