Sexual Activity And Affection Help Healthy Aging

Sexual Activity and Affection Help Healthy Aging

Older men and women who reported any sexual activity in the past 12 months had higher levels of pleasure in life than those who reported no sexual activity.

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New research, published in the journal Sexual Medicine, suggests that sexual activity is associated with improved well-being in older adults.

A study led by Dr. Lee Smith of Anglia Ruskin University and Dr. Sarah Jackson of the University of California (UCL) analyzed data from a survey of 6,879 seniors with an average age of 65 living in England.

The study found that older men and women who reported any sexual activity in the past 12 months had higher levels of pleasure in life than those who did not have any sexual activity.

Among older women, an increase in kissing and fondling was associated with greater enjoyment of life, as they felt emotionally close to their partner during sex. However, they did not have a significant connection between themselves with intercourse and the pleasure of life.

However, in older men, on the contrary, satisfaction with their sex life and frequency of intercourse were associated with greater levels of pleasure in life. The results of the study show that sexual intercourse in adulthood is more important for men than for women, since for women pleasure is more associated with other sexual activities.

“Previous research has shown that frequent sexual intercourse is associated with a range of psychological and physical benefits, such as improved quality of life and mental health, and reduced risk of certain cancers and heart attacks. Physicians must recognize that older people are not asexual creatures, but their frequent and normal sex life is associated with improved well-being. However, they are usually discouraged from trying new sex positions and exploring different types of sexual activity. Our research shows that health care providers should ask older patients about their sexual activity and offer help if they have any difficulties, such as erection problems, because sexual activity helps older people live more fulfilling lives,”says Dr. Smith …

“Promoting wellness in old age is a public health priority. We know that wellness is inextricably linked to physical health, and as populations continue to age, the burden on health services increases. If encouraging older people to be sexually active can improve their well-being, then it can benefit both the individual and the health system in general,”says Dr. Jackson.