Dutch older people appear to be intensifying their sexual lives, according to a new study.

Researchers interviewed 60 elderly participants from the Geriatric, Hypertension, Rheumatology, and Diabetes outpatient departments. Before interviewing participants, they obtained informed consent.

Results show that more women than men engage in sexual activities; however, most are satisfied with their sexual lives. Furthermore, many gay and bisexual men have experienced sexual coercion against their will.

Increase in sexual activity among the over-75-year-olds

Among over-75s, more men and women reported engaging in oral sex than in 2014. Furthermore, more men said sexual activity than usual; both sexes reported fewer partners, although the difference wasn’t as pronounced as in younger age groups.

This study confirms earlier findings that intact sexual function is prevalent among older people, despite an overall decrease in sexual desire with age. These results are based on data compiled from an extensive sample with an equally balanced sex composition – including participants who reported being single and those with partners. 

Data were obtained through LASA: Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam – which began collecting in 1992-1993 and ran at roughly 3-year intervals until around 2003 and involved face-to-face interviews, self-completion questionnaires, and interviews in 1992-1993 and repeated with face-to-face interviews and self-completion questionnaires before receiving written informed consent from all participants in 2003.

Multivariable modeling results showed that enjoyment of sexuality is linked with longevity among those who view it as necessary. Yet, it was not fully explained by covariates such as positive affect, functional limitations, emotional loneliness, self-rated health, and sense of mastery. Furthermore, there was a small but significant decrease in enjoyment when someone was sick.

Comparing those without complete data on both enjoyment and importance of sexuality to those with exclusive data, those without were, on average older and female, had fewer years of education, lower job levels, lived alone more often or in care institutions, were more likely to be Protestant and had shorter lifespans – evidence of selection bias within this group; nevertheless this result is intriguing as it suggests sexuality doesn’t simply represent poorer physical and mental health but may provide substantial benefits in terms of longevity as well.

Increase in sexual activity among the over-65-year-olds

New research indicates that people over 75 are increasing their sex lives significantly more frequently, thanks to being fitter and healthier. But not just older folks enjoy sexual encounters – younger people in their 40s are also getting down and dirty with pleasure!

The study, published in Sexual Health in the Netherlands 2017, surveyed 17,000 Dutch adults and found that those who reported enjoyment of their sex were nearly twice as likely to live longer than those who did not write such joy. Researchers considered factors like gender, sexual activity, partner availability, health status, and age groups that may be most affected.

Results revealed that those who enjoyed their sex had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, they wanted better self-rated health, fewer chronic diseases, and took less medication; they had higher positive affect and mastery sense as well as more significant social connections; they were more physically active and smoked less; these results are part of the first-ever research paper showing engagement in physical tenderness is associated with decreased cardiovascular risks as well as lower depression risks.

These findings corroborate previous research indicating that sexual activity combined with healthy lifestyle habits can lower cardiovascular disease risks in older adults. While sexuality provides numerous health benefits, some people cannot engage in sexual behavior due to limited partner availability, traditional gender roles, or poor health.

Healthcare professionals must adopt a sexual approach when caring for older people. They should discuss sexual health concerns with patients and offer education on maintaining an active sexual life. Healthcare providers should encourage couples to remain together to avoid sexual decline as people age; additionally, they can provide vaginal intercourse and oral sex options as needed.

Few studies have examined sexual behavior among older individuals

Although these investigations were generally small and employed various data collection techniques, all indicate that all age groups enjoy engaging in sexual activity and masturbation. However, the frequency declines as we age; elderly individuals often report sexual problems like decreased desire or difficulty vaginally lubricating themselves. This research study aimed to ascertain estimates of prevalence and any barriers that might inhibit this activity among older adults.

This was a cross-sectional interview study of men and milf (mature women) aged over 50 years. Participants were interviewed at the Geriatric, Hypertension, Rheumatology, and Diabetes outpatient departments of a tertiary hospital in Mumbai following informed consent after answering a sexuality questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. 60 individuals (30 men and 30 women) over 50 were included; individuals with dementia or mental illness were not permitted into this research project.

Out of 1680 participants, 1414 (84%) reported sexual activity. While sexually active participants decreased with age, men saw their percentage decline more quickly than women did; women also said having less frequent oral sex than their male counterparts across all age groups.

Researchers asked participants to rate how vital sexuality was in their lives and found that those who considered it unimportant were more likely to be women, older, less educated individuals who live alone or in institutions and who lack an intimate partner relationship; furthermore, they were likely to suffer poorer health and enjoy life less than those who considered sexuality to be essential.

Participants who rated sexuality as necessary were more likely to have partners and get married, experience better self-rated health with fewer chronic illnesses, and have higher levels of positive affect and mastery, more social support, and an optimistic approach toward aging. They were also more likely to receive regular physical exams and medication for common ailments.

In the seventeenth century, sexuality captivated scholars all across Europe

Natural philosophers, doctors, and anatomists studied sex as an integral research component. However, modern Dutch scientists often neglect this field; NSHAP researchers hope to change that trend.

The NSHAP aims to estimate sexual activity, behaviors, and problems among older adults in the Netherlands aged 50 years or over. Data are drawn from a representative sample of this age group to gain an accurate picture of these aspects of quality of life in later adulthood.

Nearly half of the respondents reported being sexually active and overall satisfaction with their erotic lives, with men being more satisfied than women; nevertheless, most in both groups were moderately or highly interested in sexuality, having engaged in sexual activity within three months.

Sexually active older people reported experiencing difficulty with their sex lives. Common issues included low desire and difficulty with lubrication; some participants indicated that sex had stopped due to illness or injury.

Remarkably, those who valued sexual pleasure as essential were more likely to live longer than those who didn’t. Researchers analyzed data from 17,000 Dutch men and women aged 18-80 years to validate this finding. These researchers took care to account for multiple demographic variables and covariates, including religion, education, functional limitations, and emotional loneliness. 

Researchers determined that among those rating enjoyment of sexuality as high, positive affect and an ability to enjoy life were significant predictors of longevity – accounting for 35% of its association. This suggests that other factors could play a part in the link between sexual enjoyment and longevity, and longevity. Therefore, researchers plan to conduct further analyses to ascertain which variables explain this correlation and whether this association differs between people living alone vs. those in relationships.