Older men still having a good time
A sex survey of men aged 75 to 79 has shown that 40% said they were sexually active and 30% of men aged 80 to 84 had sex in the previous 12 months.
The Health in Men Study has followed a sample of more than 12,000 men aged 65 and over since 1996 but has just included questions about sexual activity. The study also found that 10% of men in their 90s were still sexually active along with 20% of men aged 85 to 89.
Professor Leon Flicker of the University of Western Australia, said that “the good news is that sexual activity is enjoyed into advanced ages”.
He said that the proportion having sex was “pretty large” considering the sample included widowers and some men who were unwell or their spouses unwell.
The sample did not include men in residential aged-care facilities and the frailest men were the least likely to have responded. But Professor Flicker said any concern that the men would be reluctant to answer questions on sex had proved groundless.
