Feb 21 2006
According to researchers in America and Norway, men in their fifties are happier with their sex lives than younger men, despite experiencing more problems.
By using a new survey, the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI), which is the first self-administered patient questionnaire to assess male sexuality, the researchers were able to examine and explore the impact of sexual function and other variables on overall sexual satisfaction.
They were also able to compare American and Norwegian results.
The researchers used official address lists of 3500 men aged 20–79 years, and had responses from a total of 1,185 men.
They asked questions regarding aspects of their sex lives and it was revealed that men in their fifties showed similar levels of contentment to men aged between 20 and 29, despite reduced sexual function concerning drive, erection, and ejaculation.
Men were asked to rate their satisfaction with various aspects of their sex life from zero to four, with four representing no problems.
Men in their twenties recorded an average overall satisfaction level of 2.79, while the second highest level was among 50-somethings, who recorded an average of 2.77. Men in their thirties only reached 2.55 and men in their forties averaged 2.72.
Professor Sophie Fossa, lead study author says the results showed a very strong correlation between men getting older and reduced sexual functioning, but not between age and sexual satisfaction.
Professor Sophie Fossa says the results show that although men experience more problems and less sexual function as they get older, it doesn't necessarily follow that they are less satisfied with their sex lives as a result.
The research is published in the current issue of the British Journal of Urology.