Physicians should remember to ask about sexual function.
Despite all the silver-haired gentlemen endorsing Viagra on national television, relatively little is known about sexuality in older Americans. This might help explain the intense media interest in the newly released results of a 2005–2006 U.S. survey.
Among 3005 respondents (age range, 57–85) from a nationally representative sample of older community-dwelling adults (75% response rate), age did not influence interest in sex in either men or women. However, reported sexual activity with a partner declined with age (from 84% to 38% of men aged 57–64 and 75–85, respectively, and from 62% to 17% of women, respectively). More than half of sexually active respondents in all age groups reported having intercourse at least two to three times per month. The prevalence of reported sexual difficulties increased with age: The most common problems were erectile difficulties in men (increasing from 31% to 44% among those aged 57–64 and 75–85, respectively) and vaginal dryness in women (increasing from 36% to 44%, respectively). All told, 14% of men reported using prescription or over-the-counter sexual remedies. Only about 30% of all respondents had discussed sex with a physician since age 50.
Comment: Physicians may be surprised that sexual activity persists into the eighth decade — this information certainly appears to have surprised media commentators. The message seems to be that physicians should continue to initiate discussions about sexual function even with their oldest patients and should learn how to deal with the sex-related physical problems they will unearth.
Published in Journal Watch General Medicine September 4, 2007
Lindau ST et al. A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. N Engl J Med 2007 Aug 23; 357:762-74.