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The researchers studied 3274 Australian men who lived in the community rather than in
nursing homes or other health care facilities. Of the 3274 men studied, only 2783 provided information on sexual activity and are included in the reported
results.
This study surveyed Australian men aged 75 to 95 years about social and medical factors 3 times over 13 years and measured hormone levels and sexual activity at the second and third surveys, respectively. “Sexual activity” was having at least 1 sexual encounter during the previous 12
months.
About one third of men reported at least 1 sexual encounter in the past year, and about half of those who reported being sexually active reported being satisfied with the frequency of sexual encounters. Such factors as increasing age, lower testosterone levels, a partner’s
lack of interest in sex or physical limitations, osteoporosis, prostate cancer, diabetes, use of depression drugs, and use of some blood pressure drugs (beta-blockers) were associated
with absence of sexual activity.
Although many people, including some clinicians, continue to believe that sexual activity is not important to older people, the study shows this is not the case. Even in the 10th decade of life, 1 in 5 men still considered sex important," said study lead author Zoe Hyde, a researcher at the University of Western Australia.
Further research is needed to see whether modifying these factors is associated with
changes in sexual activity in older men.
Source
Annals of Internal Medicine
(MDN)
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