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Most Americans remain sexually active into their early 70s in spite of sometimes "bothersome" health or age-related problems that make intimacy difficult, according to a groundbreaking study released Wednesday.
Older adults consider continued intimacy an important aspect of their lives, but few have talked to their doctors about sexual matters.
The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, is the first comprehensive survey on sexual activity among people ages 50 and older.
"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, a director at the National Institute on Aging, in a statement.
NIA helped fund the study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago.
The study's findings are likely to be of high interest to the nation's baby boomers, who are now in or approaching the age groups targeted by the research.
"It paints a picture of normal healthy aging and what it means for sexuality, sexual function, sexual activity, among older adults," said Linda Waite, an urban sociology professor at the University of Chicago who helped conduct the study.
Researchers surveyed 3,005 men and women across the nation between the ages of 57 and 85. They answered questions about marital or relationship status, frequency and types of sexual activity during the past year, physical health and presence of any sexual problems.
Of those ages 57 to 64, about 73 percent are sexually active. By ages 65 to 74, just over half remain sexually active.
Wayne, a professional musician who lives in Heber, said he has the "good fortune" to be in that group.
Wayne, who asked to not be fully identified, said his virility is still intact despite three failed marriages, a bout with prostate cancer and getting older. At 72, he said he has experienced "perhaps a little decrease in frequency, but not in pleasure."
As he got older, Wayne didn't give his sexual capability much thought.
"My expectation was to pretty much continue the way it had been going," said Wayne, whose last marriage ended when he was 58.
Now, he is "happy just having occasional relationships. As long as I continue to function successfully, it hasn't bothered me at all."
Among those ages 75 to 85, researchers found that 26 percent engaged in sexual intimacy; about half of those sexually active older adults had sex at least two to three times a month.
Waite said sexual intercourse declines as the primary activity among the oldest adults and is replaced with cuddling, kissing and snuggling.
Overall, the frequency of sexual activity among older adults was "not dissimilar" to rates among people ages 18 to 59.
"If one has a partner, frequency doesn't change across age groups," said Stacy Lindau, the University of Chicago researcher who led the study.
Those findings fit with experiences of some Utahns.
Corrie Lynne Player, 64, of Cedar City, has been married 42 years and acknowledges that "things have cooled down a bit in the hot sex department, but we still give each other lots of intimacy and are more in love now than when we married."
Older women were less likely to be in intimate relationships or be sexually active than older men.
Women tend to outlive men and men are typically in relationships with younger women, said Georgeanne Patmios of the NIA's Behavioral and Social Research Program.
Lindau said women also attributed their lack of sexual activity to physical problems of a male partner and lack of interest.
The study found that physical health - particularly problems such as arthritis, diabetes and hypertension - was more strongly associated with sexual difficulties than age. Medication also impacted sexual behavior.
About half of the participants reported having at least one sexual problem - most commonly erectile dysfunction for men and low desire for women. Some adults said they avoid sex as a result.
Researchers found that 14 percent of all men use medication or supplements to improve sexual function, while just 1 percent of women do so.
Whatever the cause, few older Americans discuss sexual problems with their doctors.
"We also know that older patients would like their physicians to broach this subject but they simply don't do it," said Patmios, who added the study may provide physicians with information they need to help patients understand how sexuality is effected by age and health.
The study also highlights the need for health education efforts focused on older people, who may enter a new relationship after divorce, illness or death of a spouse.
Fifteen percent of newly diagnosed HIV infections are among Americans over age 50, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"From a medical and a public health perspective, we have an opportunity and an obligation to do better patient education and counseling about health-related and potentially preventable and treatable sexual problems," Lindau said in a statement.
* Of the older adults who are sexually active, most have sex 2-3 times a month.
* Older women are less sexually active than men, mostly because they have outlived spouses or partners.
* About half of older adults who are sexually active report at least one "bothersome" problem.
* 35 percent of older women rate sex as not at all important, compared to 13 percent of men.
* For men, the most prevalent sexual problem was difficulty achieving an erection; for women, it was low desire.
* Among men, 14 percent use medication or supplements to improve sexual function; just 1 percent of women do.
Source: A Study of Sexuality and Health Among Older Adults in the United States