Study: Many Seniors Have Rich Sex Lives

New Study Shows That Men And Women Are Enjoying Sex Well Into Their 80s

(CBS/AP)  An unprecedented study of sex and seniors finds that many older people are surprisingly frisky — willing to do, and talk about, intimate acts that would make their grandchildren blush.

That may be too much information for some folks.

But it comes from the most comprehensive sex survey ever done among 57- to 85-year-olds in the United States. Sex and interest in it do fall off when people are in their 70s, but more than a quarter of those up to age 85 reported having sex in the previous year.

And the drop-off has a lot to do with health or lack of a partner, especially for women, the survey found.

"The frequency of sexual activity is not a whole lot different as compared to younger people who are sexually active. So on average, people with partners in the 57-85 year old group are having sex 2-3 times a month or more," Stacy Lindau a gynecologist who specializes in geriatrics at the University of Chicago told CBS Evening News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook.

The federally funded study, done by respected scientists and published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine, overturns some stereotypical notions that physical pleasure is just a young person's game.

"Most people assume that people stop doing it after some vague age," said sex researcher Edward Laumann of the University of Chicago.

However, more than half of those aged 57 to 75 said they gave or received oral sex, as did about a third of 75- to 85-year-olds.

"Bravo that the New England Journal of Medicine is publishing something like that. It's about time," said Ruth Westheimer, better known as sexpert Dr. Ruth, who has long counseled seniors on sex.

The survey involved two-hour face-to-face interviews with 3,005 men and women around the country. Researchers also took blood, saliva and other samples that will tell about hormone levels, sex-related infections and other health issues in future reports. They even tested how well seniors could see, taste, hear and smell things that affect being able to have and enjoy sex.

Some results:

Sex with a partner in the previous year was reported by 73 percent of people ages 57 to 64; 53 percent of those ages 64 to 75, and 26 percent of people 75 to 85. Of those who were active, most said they did it two to three times a month or more.

Women at all ages were less likely to be sexually active than men. But they also lacked partners; far more were widowed.

People whose health was excellent or very good were nearly twice as likely to be sexually active as those in poor or fair health.

Half of people having sex reported at least one related problem. Most common in men was erection trouble (37 percent); in women, low desire (43 percent), vaginal dryness (39 percent) and inability to have an orgasm (34 percent).

One out of seven men used Viagra or other substances to improve sex.

Only 22 percent of women and 38 percent of men had discussed sex with a doctor since age 50.

The survey had a remarkable 75 percent response rate. Only 2 percent to 7 percent did not answer questions about sexual activities or problems, although a higher percentage declined to reveal how often they masturbate.

Why do this research? Sex is an important indicator of health, said Georgeanne Patmios of the National Institute on Aging, the study's main funder.

Sexual problems can be a warning sign of diabetes, infections, cancer or other health woes. Untreated sex issues can lead to depression and social withdrawal, and people may even stop taking needed medications because of sexual side effects, the researchers wrote.

Some of them did a landmark study of sexual habits in younger people a decade ago, but little is known about X-rated behaviors beyond Generation X.

"This subject has been taboo for so long that many older people haven't even talked to their spouses about their sexual problems, let alone a physician," said the lead author, Lindau.

[erasmus6]

oops I forgot the censors. The *** word is s-e-x.

[erasmus6]

I live in Canada and there used to be this show on called the "Sunday Night *** Show" or something. It was hosted by this Sue Johannson?, not sure of the last name. I''m not sure how old she was but I think she was probably in her sixties at least. Anyways you could phone in and ask her any questions about ***. I have never seen anything so funny in my life. She just didn''t look like the type to sit and talk about ***. And you wouldn''t believe some of the questions. She had Barbie and Ken dolls so she could describe different positions and stuff and during the show she would tell about good books to read on certain subjects and she had a treasure box where each week she would have different *** toys in it. Everybody loved her, she was so funny! Just thought I would share this story.:)

[actornaught]

Women don''t even know what to do with it until after 40...

[actornaught]

Women don''t even know what to do with it until after 40...

[olebd]

Dang-blastit! I was censored again. But why?

[consciousnes]

Well, I''ll be 64 in a couple weeks and I don''t see any reason to stop now or in the forseeable future. In fact, in about 40 years I hope there will be someone around that is still willing!!!!!!

[mike71067]

"Bravo that the New England Journal of Medicine is publishing something like that. It''s about time," said Ruth Westheimer, better known as sexpert Dr. Ruth, who has long counseled seniors on ***.


Ok, I understand that she is a famous sexx therapist and all, but seriously, when do you think was the last time she''s ever seen a man''s peeenis?

[extremophil]

So that''s why Granny and Granpa never answer the phone (!)

[barbaraf4]

"You ever accidently see two old people do the wild thing ?

It''''s one of the most disgusting sights not meant for human eyes that you''''ll ever accidently see."

Posted by karlagolay at 08:54
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Maturity" (ie. Old Age) sneaks up on you when you are living your life. One day you wake up and and you don''t recognize the person in the bathroom mirror. You say 40 is the drop off point, well at 40, if you are lucky, you still have at least another 40 years to live. Do you plan to lock yourself in a closet and apologize for how you look, or are you planning to stay active (sexually and otherwise)? This all happens with lightening speed, so take care of your health and save for your retirement. You are old longer than you are young.

[rushman71]

Some of the comments that I have read are pathetic. They show no appreciation for the way we live our lives. Think about it: in the past, when a man and woman were young in life, their se xual desires were strong. But in most cases, after they reached a certain age, after having kids, experiencing personal conflicts, and the big ED thing, the se x life begins to fade away.
But thanks to todays technology in science and medicine, men can once again stand on top of the hill, banging their fists on their manly chests, screaming Tarzans call to the wild!!! The pride has arisen!!! Men can feel young again!!! Which dramatically helps within the relationship with their wives. Man, I wonder what life here in America would be like today if Viagra was invented 100 years ago? Or better yet, Cialis?

[infidel_us]

Too much info........ :)

[starleo146]

Posted by karlagolay at 08:54 PM : Aug 22, 2007

It doesn''t matter how your body has changed as you get older,beauty is in the eye of the beholder and everyone is going to get old and yes I try not to look too long at my profile in the mirror what I try to do is take each day and make it a better day irregardless of the way the world is going. You see when you get older you have a greater appreciation of life and know every day it is getting shorter so take your spouse or your lover and let him or her know they are the most important thing to you and your day will be a blessed day so all you young folks who think you have all the answers on *** you do not know anything except you look good having ***.

[killtheliars]

I really needed to see that headline as I am about to eat breakfast.

[erasmus6]

"I don''t care about old folks *** lifes." posted by mcv57

No? Well what about when you get old? Or do you think that you will be the first to escape old age?

[linfinster]

For all you who seem to be grossed out by seniors having sexx, you lack to intelligence to truly understand that actual concept of sexx. Wow! Are you missing out!! If you''re married, I pity your spouse!

[actornaught]

Where are the jihadists here? I thought they liked those 72-year-old virgins?

[indivthinker]

Well, you kind of have to feel happy for the old *** machines... after all, that gives me hope for when I am a senior (in four decades).

And for all of you making fun of this article because it talks about seniors, we will one day be seniors ourselves.

[tnt1954]

as a great-grandpa for peace at age 56, some
start in young making the young, as soon
as the sap begins to run, its nice to grow
old gracefully. a lotta of people over
the age of 50 have hiv etc and all sorts
of other venereal diseases. what is really
ill is they hit on all the young members
of both sexes. they don''t stay just in
their own age group. they''re like dirty old
men or dirty old ladies. a lotta them are
senile and don''t even know it. a lotta them
get swindled on sites like senior friend finders
by younger people posing as older. they rock
the cradle. i call it senile friend finders.
it is kinda disgusting, *** grandpa and ***
grandma and even more yecchy!! *** great grandma and great grandpa. we have passed the baton
to generation y, theirs is to reason why, not
just do and die. we''re just benchwarmers now.
good luck generation x,y and z and then a
we hope. we''re history.

[redgreen68]

I don''''t care about old folks *** lifes.
Posted by mcv57 at 09:50 PM : Aug 22, 2007

If you don''t care about this, then why did you read the article??? You make no sense to me. If you are not interested, then don''t read it. No one forced the article down your throat. Could you not understand the title of the article? It clearly gave you a clue as to what would follow. Seems like maybe you were just looking for a story to masturbate to. LOL

[djatdfw]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I laughed myself silly.