Retiring to the bedroom: Older people still enjoy healthy sex life after 50
2016-07-29
WE MIGHT like to think that parents and grandparents stop having a sex drive at 50 but the reality is starkly different.
A new study has revealed that geriatrics not only continue their antics between the sheets, but they explore their sexuality even more.
Professor Liza Berdychevsky at the university of Illinois and Galit Nimrod, from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel looked at how older generations view sex in their later lives.
And the results were surprising.
They analysed 14 leading online communities for the over-50s across the English-speaking world, including the UK and the US.
Looking at their chats on sex, researchers discovered that many “remained sexually able, interested and active.”
While some were happy to give up their sex lives – blaming health conditions and a lack of drive – others used their twilight years to make up for lost time.
Prof Berdychevsky told Medicalxpress.com: “Although some older adults reported abstaining from sexual activity due to health conditions or loss of interest, others refused to renounce sexual activity.
“Their health problems or society’s ageist stereotypes that portray seniors as asexual were not going to become excuses to give up on life – or sex.”
She revealed how many older people surveyed were inspired to explore their sexuality more and try new ways to spice up their love lives.
Last year, research by The University of Manchester told how more than half of men and a third of women over 70 in England are still sexually active.
In online chats, many revealed the ‘ageist stereotypes’ they faced, with some telling how their concerns about sexual health were dismissed by doctors.
Similarly they were met with disapproval from their children if they were candid about their sex lives.
Popular discussions online included dating advice, continuing a sex life after a bereavement and new sexual relationships.
Despite being happy to swap anecdotes online, some were embarrassed to try sex tips or aids in their own lives – for fear of judgement.
The report concluded that older people who accepted their physical imitation and adopted accordingly continued to enjoy a healthy sex life.
While many admitted they were happy to abstain, advertising for sex enhancements featuring younger models was a focal reason for problems in the bedroom.
Prof Berdychevsky said: “These stereotypes caused performance anxiety in some older men and some older women believed that both partners should have a say in whether sex enhancement drugs are prescribed.”