Older Aussies busy in bed

A global study on the sexual attitudes and behaviours of 27,500 men and women from 29 countries has revealed a few surprises.

In a telephone survey which was part of the study, 750 Australian men and 750 Australian women, aged 40 to 80 years, answered questions on their general health, sexual behaviours, attitudes and beliefs and it was found that far more were sexually active than might have been expected.

The survey revealed that 83% of men and 74% of women had engaged in sexual intercourse during the 12 months preceding the interview, and 38% of all men and 29% of all women engaged in sexual intercourse more than once a week.

Lead Australian researcher Dr. Rosie King says a significant number of older men and women are more sexually active and having more sex than was suspected.

Dr. King, who is a sex therapist says the results are exciting because most of the participants were in long-term relationships and are impressive for that very reason, as they are not young people who indulge in casual sex.

The survey also revealed the prevalence of sexual difficulties and how many actually sought help to overcome their problems.

The most common male sexual difficulty, early ejaculation, was a concern for 23% and erectile difficulties for 21%, while 18% were worried about a lack of sexual interest.

The most commonly reported female sexual difficulties were a lack of sexual interest for 33%, lubrication difficulties for 26% and an inability to reach orgasm in 25% of women.

In general, age for men was a significant factor in erectile difficulties and for women age increased lubrication problems, however few men or women had asked for help in resolving their sexual difficulties from a health professional.

The researchers say many middle-aged and older Australian adults continue to be sexual active and interested in sex but those experiencing sexual difficulties rarely seek medical help and they suggest this may be because they do not perceive such difficulties as serious or sufficiently upsetting.

Dr. Rosie King who was a GP for a number of years is an author, academic, educator and researcher and is in private practice as a sex therapist and relationship counselor.

Dr. King is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in Sexual Health Medicine and was president of the Australian Society of Sexual Educators, Researchers and Therapists and regularly appears on the media and in print. Dr. King is also a consultant for the drug company Pfizer, which funded the study.

The research is published in the CSIRO journal Sexual Health.