Elderly Adults Remaining Sexually Active Through Golden Years

A recent study of men aged 75-95 found that many remained sexually active, defying a commonly-held belief in the medical community that retirement brings an end to healthy sex. The study, conducted in Australia and reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that almost 33 percent of the men were sexually active and almost 50 percent of the sexually-active group reported they would like to have sex more frequently. While women weren’t queried in this study, an article at WebMD claims that female statistics would be similar.

Factors felt to positively influence elder sexuality include maintaining good health, remaining physically active, eating a healthy diet and using erectile dysfunction drugs when needed. Testosterone may also play a role in an elder’s sexual interest. Factors felt to negatively influence an older person’s sexuality include medication side effects, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure and a lack of available sex partners.

To increase your odds of remaining sexually active for a lifetime, take good care of yourself. Eat properly, avoid excess alcohol consumption, have your blood pressure checked regularly and maintain a continued interest in sex. Discuss sexual performance problems or a loss of libido with your physician rather than assuming that it is natural for your interest to wane as you get older.

Read more: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20101206/elderly-stay-sexually-a...