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What Do the Polls Say About Sex?


It's as fun and important at 70 as it is at 45, according to a new survey
of sex among adults. Racy talk on the phone and erotic E-mails are
common. And, oh yes: Good health and new drugs help a lot.



AARP, the organization representing older Americans, recently polled
nearly 1,700 men and women, ages 45 and over, about their sex lives.

Among those with a partner—married or otherwise—49 percent say
they have intercourse at least once per week. And the number of
people who say they are "extremely satisfied" with their sex lives
doesn't change much with age.

Among men ages 45 to 49, it's 18 percent; among men ages 70 and
older, it's 17 percent. Among women, for ages 45 to 49, it's 26 percent;
and for ages 70-plus, it's 25 percent. For those who are "extremely
dissatisfied"? Among men of all ages, that's 6 percent; for women,
it's 5 percent.

Almost a third of men said they would be happier with their sex lives
if they were healthier; 23 percent said their partner's improved health
would help with sexual satisfaction. The numbers were lower among
women: Nineteen percent said they'd benefit from better health, and 20
percent said they'd benefit from a healthier partner.

Nearly a quarter of the men said they'd tried a drug or other treatment—
like Viagra or Cialis—to enhance their potency. Most of those who
tried were pleased with the results: Sixty-eight percent reported an
increase in sexual satisfaction. (Low testosterone in midlife,
sometimes known as "male menopause," has enticed many men to
try supplements of the hormone, but many endocrinologists warn
against this, as it can increase the risk of prostate cancer.) Their partners
were also pleased, reporting more satisfaction as well as more
frequent sexual activity. It seems that no matter what the age, where
there's a will there's a way.
 

Also See:

Sex and Sexuality

Relationships & Marriage

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