Health · · 3 min read
Intimacy with age: what the large surveys show
Little is said about the intimate life of couples as they grow older, as if it stopped one day. Large surveys tell a more nuanced and rather encouraging story.
An intimate life that goes on
A US national survey interviewed more than 3,000 people aged 57 to 85. A majority remained sexually active up to age 74, and about a quarter of those aged 75 to 85. Among active people, many had intimate moments several times a month. General health and having a partner mattered more than age itself.
A link with enjoying life
An English study covered nearly 7,000 people over 50. Those who had been sexually active in the past year reported greater enjoyment of life, men and women alike, even after accounting for health and other factors. The study is observational: we don't know which way the link runs.
Adapting rather than giving up
With age, the body changes and some difficulties become more common. Many have solutions: talking to a doctor, taking more time, making more room for tenderness and caresses. Intimate life does not come in one single form; it evolves with you.
Sources
- Lindau S.T., Schumm L.P., Laumann E.O., Levinson W., O'Muircheartaigh C.A., Waite L.J. (2007). A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(8), 762–774. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Smith L., Yang L., Veronese N., Soysal P., Stubbs B., Jackson S.E. (2019). Sexual activity is associated with greater enjoyment of life in older adults. Sexual Medicine, 7(1), 11–18. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This article is for information only and does not replace a doctor's advice. The surveys cited describe specific populations (United States, England) and predict nothing for any one person.
A rhythm chosen together, surprises in turn, discreet reminders.