The majority of Americans between ages 57 and 85 are sexually active and view sexual intimacy as an important part of their lives, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. The National Institute on Aging surveyed more than 5,000 men and women. “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,” said Richard Suzman, NIA official. There are “bothersome” sexual problems for senior citizens such as erectile difficulties for men and low desire for women, and medical problems such as arthritis, diabetes and hypertension can interfere with sexual desire. Healthier older individuals are more likely to report being sexual active, the study indicates. The study stresses that older adults should discuss sex with their doctors. There is this warning: sexual activity among senior citizens poses risks for new HIV-AIDS cases if precautions aren’t taken.
-Jim Killackey, Medical Reporter